Running 2023 Motorsports thread

[maumann]

NASCAR supposedly sponsored a float in the Rose Parade to celebrate 75 years.

Too bad Donald Duck beat them to the punch about 50 years ago.

 

[playthrough]

Love these old photos, where everyone's cell phones are somehow out of juice.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Where am I supposed to put IMSA and other racing stuff, dammit?

We need one inclusive motorsports thread every year. Retire the rest.

 

[maumann]

Motorsports thread it is. I'd rather read about everything in one spot, too.

 

[TigerVols]

Love these old photos, where everyone's cell phones are somehow out of juice.

And the people of color are busy in the kitchens.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Andretti announces partnership with Cadillac for his Formula 1 attempt, which would seem to make F1’s attempt to shush him seem pointless.

Andretti Autosport partners with Cadillac in attempt to join Formula 1

 

[wicked]

What is the point of getting into F1 if you’re just rebadging someone else’s engine?

Honda is logical choice for Cadillac's F1 entry with Andretti

 

[Driftwood]

They are going to base HQ in Indiana? That will work about as well as Andretti's F1 career ... living here, racing there.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

I think their plan it to have a satellite shop in England. I suspect a lot of the in-season work would be done there.

Haas does it this way, which tells you it can be done... but doesn't tell you if it can be done well.

 

[wicked]

They are going to base HQ in Indiana? That will work about as well as Andretti's F1 career ... living here, racing there.

In fairness anyone living in Europe at this point ain’t doing much better. About half the schedule is Asia and the Americas.

 

[Driftwood]

Greenville-Pickens might have race its last lap

 

[maumann]

Greenville-Pickens might have race its last lap

Well, hell. That's the closest paved weekly track nearest me and filled with decades of history. Lanier National shut down years ago.

Rising costs means fewer cars. Fewer cars means attendance suffers. That leads to smaller purses. And the cycle eventually leads to shutdown. Grassroots racing has been in big trouble for a while.

 

[Driftwood]

Well, hell. That's the closest paved weekly track nearest me and filled with decades of history. Lanier National shut down years ago.

Rising costs means fewer cars. Fewer cars means attendance suffers. That leads to smaller purses. And the cycle eventually leads to shutdown. Grassroots racing has been in big trouble for a while.

I looked at the track on Google maps this morning, and it looks pretty run down.
I just wonder how much longer any small local track can last. It's a shame because the big boys show on Sunday isn't much to watch anymore.

 

[TigerVols]

There’s a proposal to the legendary dirt track here at the seaside Ventura Fairgrounds into a minor league baseball stadium.

 

[maumann]

I looked at the track on Google maps this morning, and it looks pretty run down.
I just wonder how much longer any small local track can last. It's a shame because the big boys show on Sunday isn't much to watch anymore.

Unless you can make some money in Outlaws, the ladder system of weekly racing in this country is broken. Nobody's running Late Models to get a sniff of NASCAR. Your last name better have a Junior after it or your family needs to be wealthy and already connected.

As of now, it's Karts or Legends. Bring a bag of cash to Formula racing or ARCA, or if you're really serious, spend several years in Europe. Bring more cash to US Pro 2000 or Trucks. Indy Lights or Busch.

If you're spending $100,000 on a Late Model or Sprint car to prove you're the next Big Thing, better have an alternative career move.

Kyle Larson is the exception rather than the rule.

 

[wicked]

And guys like Kyle Larson draw people to the short tracks, but when they clean up they’re also taking purse money from guys who do need it.

 

[playthrough]

I looked at the track on Google maps this morning, and it looks pretty run down.
I just wonder how much longer any small local track can last. It's a shame because the big boys show on Sunday isn't much to watch anymore.

We say it every year on this thread--cars are a utility to young people, not a passion. It's hard to find anyone in their teens and 20s wrenching on cars anymore, never mind spending money to watch someone drive. If you're the owner of a small track in it for the long haul, good luck.

 

[Driftwood]

I fully expect that by the time my ride on this rock is finished, motorsports won't resemble/be a shell of what I watched and followed the first half of my life.

 

[wicked]

27 days til the Clash.
Which means 19 til the Rolex 24.

 

[wicked]

Redneck Jesus(TM) strikes again.