11 replies to this topic

[AustinF1]

Texas Motor Speedway put on a big promotion yesterday in downtown Austin with the Daytona 500 winner which, as you all know, turned out to be Dale Earnhardt Jr. Here are some articles about the event and some of the fallout from it, and below that are my photos from the event.

 

Dale Jr. struck me as very reserved and a bit shy, and very likeable. He doesn't seem overly comfortable with all the attention, sort of like he doesn't really get why such a fuss is being made over him. Seems like a genuinely good guy. Gossage was funny, friendly, and was intent on letting the fans know just how much he appreciates them and their business. What a breath of fresh air compared to another track owner whose name shall not be spoken.

 

Racing Today: Junior's victory tour takes him to F1 country

http://www.racintoda... (Racin' Today)

 

Gossage upset with F1 scheduling

http://bigstory.ap.o...-one-scheduling

 

Bernie Ecclestone dismisses Nascar objection to US Grand Prix date clash

http://www.theguardi...scar-date-clash

 

Went out to Scholz's in the cold, in my shorts & t-shirt 'cause I'm a dumbass & didn't check the weather before I left. Took a few photos. Hope you like 'em...

 

https://www.facebook...87614878&type=1

 

 

 

 

Eddie Gossage with B&E on the horn...

 

 

 

 

 

Junior gets an honorary official Texas flag...

 

 

 

Edited by AustinF1, 26 February 2014 - 19:38.

[stewie]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but NASCAR has 30-something race weekends over a year in the US/Canada, so they probably have the better of chance of not clashing with F1 in Texas, than F1 who need to balance 19 race weekends over the whole world...

[AustinF1]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but NASCAR has 30-something race weekends over a year in the US/Canada, so they probably have the better of chance of not clashing with F1 in Texas, than F1 who need to balance 19 race weekends over the whole world...

Sure. I think it's in the best interests of both series to try not to have a conflict. The crossover may not be huge, but I don't think either venue can afford to lose any fans that weekend. We've heard from multiple people that Epstein asked for the date he got.

Edited by AustinF1, 26 February 2014 - 19:42.

[MP422]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but NASCAR has 30-something race weekends over a year in the US/Canada, so they probably have the better of chance of not clashing with F1 in Texas, than F1 who need to balance 19 race weekends over the whole world...

 

 

Exactly, Nascar is also watered down with more races and multiple series that all look the same. Besides the big ones it's just another nascar race of cars going in circles. Just like F1 in america only the die hards are tuning in for that one.

[stewie]

Is there much crossover in terms of fans? I ask from a UK perspective where I see NASCAR and F1 being two totally different beasts...

[Andrew Hope]

Exactly, Nascar is also watered down with more races and multiple series that all look the same. Besides the big ones it's just another nascar race of cars going in circles. Just like F1 in america only the die hards are tuning in for that one.

 

As opposed to just another F1 race where they're not just going around in circles?

[Prost1997T]

Exactly, Nascar is also watered down with more races and multiple series that all look the same. Besides the big ones it's just another nascar race of cars going in circles. Just like F1 in america only the die hards are tuning in for that one.

 

Not true of the Trucks, at least. Also last time I checked, Mosport, Road-America, Mid-Ohio, Sonoma and Watkins Glen aren't ovals (I haven't included the Canadian and Mexican series' road courses either).

[Ross Stonefeld]

There's only two non-oval races on the Cup schedule and imo there's next to no clash between the Texas NASCAR and F1 fans. If you're absolutely dying to go to F1 and NASCAR, and you can afford it, you can probably afford to attend an out of state NASCAR race.

[PayasYouRace]

Or you can see the NASCAR Cup race in April.

[427MkIV]

There's also Texas Longhorns football for F1 to schedule around. I think last year the race was the same weekend as the 'Horns' home game with OSU. That's a bigger conflict locally than the NASCAR race in Fort Worth. The weekend would be a great opportunity for some F1 guys to catch a helicopter to Fort Worth to try out a stock car and for some NASCAR guys to try out an F1 car at COTA. Gossage should look at ways to make the weekend even more profitable instead of complaining.

[AustinF1]

There's also Texas Longhorns football for F1 to schedule around. I think last year the race was the same weekend as the 'Horns' home game with OSU. That's a bigger conflict locally than the NASCAR race in Fort Worth. The weekend would be a great opportunity for some F1 guys to catch a helicopter to Fort Worth to try out a stock car and for some NASCAR guys to try out an F1 car at COTA. Gossage should look at ways to make the weekend even more profitable instead of complaining.

Kurt Busch already ran a Cup car at COTA. I was on site at a neighboring property to shoot pics & video, & we promoted it on Twitter and Facebook. Huge promotional opportunity for COTA, and they just blew it off and kept the track closed.

[chunder27]

I think there are soime funny issues with the track, anyone remember how Schwantz was treated after doing work to get MotoGP back there, he is from Texas after all!  And was basically banned from visiting the place!

 

Maybe a few egos there that need to be brought down a peg or two, their track is great, but it ain't ever gonna be able to get near NASCAR, never. Especially in the South. I mean is this guy dumb or what, it's like telling people in Maranello to dream abotu buying Porsche's. Cretin.