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Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more_sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21_despite_danica_patrick_indy_fizzles_as_n.html
"Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the Indianapolis 500.
Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being fleet of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500.
That's sad, but true.
Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be aired later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live it still had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in two in the '90s.
All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide phenomenon it is now.
Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter. But, he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
"The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race than the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
"So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable name than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the racing is better over in North Carolina."
He's not kidding.
Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance to the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
"Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
Email: Rhuff@nydailynews,com "
http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more_sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21_despite_danica_patrick_indy_fizzles_as_n.html
"Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the Indianapolis 500.
Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being fleet of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500.
That's sad, but true.
Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be aired later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live it still had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in two in the '90s.
All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide phenomenon it is now.
Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter. But, he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
"The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race than the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
"So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable name than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the racing is better over in North Carolina."
He's not kidding.
Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance to the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
"Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
Email: Rhuff@nydailynews,com "
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
"Robert Lorenzini" <bob@newportharbornet,com > wrote in message
news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain...
> http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more_sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21_despite_danica_patrick_indy_fizzles_as_n.html
>
>
>
> "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
> Indianapolis 500.
>
> Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being fleet
> of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time winner of
> the Indianapolis 500.
>
> That's sad, but true.
>
> Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be aired
> later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live it still
> had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in two in the
> '90s.
>
> All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the
> series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide
> phenomenon it is now.
>
> Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
>
> Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter. But,
> he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
>
> "The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race than
> the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
>
> But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
>
> "So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable name
> than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the racing is
> better over in North Carolina."
>
> He's not kidding.
>
> Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance to
> the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
>
> "Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
>
> Email: Rhuff@nydailynews,com "
A New York Daily News sports hack. Yeah, that is an authority.
Carey in Castleton
"Robert Lorenzini" <bob@newportharbornet,com > wrote in message
news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain...
> http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more_sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21_despite_danica_patrick_indy_fizzles_as_n.html
>
>
>
> "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
> Indianapolis 500.
>
> Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being fleet
> of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time winner of
> the Indianapolis 500.
>
> That's sad, but true.
>
> Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be aired
> later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live it still
> had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in two in the
> '90s.
>
> All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the
> series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide
> phenomenon it is now.
>
> Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
>
> Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter. But,
> he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
>
> "The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race than
> the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
>
> But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
>
> "So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable name
> than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the racing is
> better over in North Carolina."
>
> He's not kidding.
>
> Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance to
> the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
>
> "Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
>
> Email: Rhuff@nydailynews,com "
A New York Daily News sports hack. Yeah, that is an authority.
Carey in Castleton
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
"Carey Akin" <cmakin@att,net > wrote in message
news:Ai_Yj.7280$we7.2236@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att,net ...
>
> "Robert Lorenzini" <bob@newportharbornet,com > wrote in message
> news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain...
>> http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more_sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21_despite_danica_patrick_indy_fizzles_as_n.html
>>
>>
>>
>> "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
>> Indianapolis 500.
>>
<snip>
>>
>> Email: Rhuff@nydailynews,com "
>
> A New York Daily News sports hack. Yeah, that is an authority.
>
> Carey in Castleton
If it's true, does it really matter who says it?
US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only the
first step.
"Carey Akin" <cmakin@att,net > wrote in message
news:Ai_Yj.7280$we7.2236@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att,net ...
>
> "Robert Lorenzini" <bob@newportharbornet,com > wrote in message
> news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain...
>> http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more_sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21_despite_danica_patrick_indy_fizzles_as_n.html
>>
>>
>>
>> "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
>> Indianapolis 500.
>>
<snip>
>>
>> Email: Rhuff@nydailynews,com "
>
> A New York Daily News sports hack. Yeah, that is an authority.
>
> Carey in Castleton
If it's true, does it really matter who says it?
US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only the
first step.
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
"armpit" <armarmpitpit@yahoo,com > wrote in message
news:loudnW1NBPNJ76nVnZ2dnUVZ_gmdnZ2d@giganews,com ...
> US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
> faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only the
> first step.
I wonder if we'll ever again see the sort of rules format where innovation
could return. The spec car series is boring as hell. I fondly recall the
days when teams built their own chassis, and totally off the wall creations
like the turbine car could slip in under the radar but totally within the
rules and screw with everyone's mind for a while.
"armpit" <armarmpitpit@yahoo,com > wrote in message
news:loudnW1NBPNJ76nVnZ2dnUVZ_gmdnZ2d@giganews,com ...
> US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
> faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only the
> first step.
I wonder if we'll ever again see the sort of rules format where innovation
could return. The spec car series is boring as hell. I fondly recall the
days when teams built their own chassis, and totally off the wall creations
like the turbine car could slip in under the radar but totally within the
rules and screw with everyone's mind for a while.
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
"RobZip" <rob@sometime,net > wrote in
news:4834d852$0$31724$4c368faf@roadrunner,com :
>
> "armpit" <armarmpitpit@yahoo,com > wrote in message
> news:loudnW1NBPNJ76nVnZ2dnUVZ_gmdnZ2d@giganews,com ...
>> US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
>> faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only
>> the first step.
>
> I wonder if we'll ever again see the sort of rules format where
> innovation could return. The spec car series is boring as hell. I
> fondly recall the days when teams built their own chassis, and totally
> off the wall creations like the turbine car could slip in under the
> radar but totally within the rules and screw with everyone's mind for
> a while.
>
Yeah...I long for those days as well. Even in CART at one time there were
loads of combinations of engines, chasis, tires; at Indy even more.
"RobZip" <rob@sometime,net > wrote in
news:4834d852$0$31724$4c368faf@roadrunner,com :
>
> "armpit" <armarmpitpit@yahoo,com > wrote in message
> news:loudnW1NBPNJ76nVnZ2dnUVZ_gmdnZ2d@giganews,com ...
>> US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
>> faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only
>> the first step.
>
> I wonder if we'll ever again see the sort of rules format where
> innovation could return. The spec car series is boring as hell. I
> fondly recall the days when teams built their own chassis, and totally
> off the wall creations like the turbine car could slip in under the
> radar but totally within the rules and screw with everyone's mind for
> a while.
>
Yeah...I long for those days as well. Even in CART at one time there were
loads of combinations of engines, chasis, tires; at Indy even more.
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
"armpit" <armarmpitpit@yahoo,com > wrote in message
news:loudnW1NBPNJ76nVnZ2dnUVZ_gmdnZ2d@giganews,com ...
>
>
> If it's true, does it really matter who says it?
That is my point. It isn't true.
>
> US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
> faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only the
> first step.
Healing the "split" doesn't matter. It really does nothing to improve the
popularity of the IRL or open wheel racing in general, since it only brings
a group of relative unknowns to the IRL. As long as there is an
Indianapolis 500, there will be a series that will survive because of it.
To end that affiliation without a large fan base is suicide. CART/OWRS/CCWS
proved that by going bankrupt not once, but twice. Until open wheel can
attract the drivers that are heading to NASCAR, and being used as a feeder
series for F1, there will be limits to just how popular the series will be.
Carey in Castleton
"armpit" <armarmpitpit@yahoo,com > wrote in message
news:loudnW1NBPNJ76nVnZ2dnUVZ_gmdnZ2d@giganews,com ...
>
>
> If it's true, does it really matter who says it?
That is my point. It isn't true.
>
> US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
> faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only the
> first step.
Healing the "split" doesn't matter. It really does nothing to improve the
popularity of the IRL or open wheel racing in general, since it only brings
a group of relative unknowns to the IRL. As long as there is an
Indianapolis 500, there will be a series that will survive because of it.
To end that affiliation without a large fan base is suicide. CART/OWRS/CCWS
proved that by going bankrupt not once, but twice. Until open wheel can
attract the drivers that are heading to NASCAR, and being used as a feeder
series for F1, there will be limits to just how popular the series will be.
Carey in Castleton
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
Carey Akin wrote:
> "armpit" <armarmpitpit@yahoo,com > wrote in message
> news:loudnW1NBPNJ76nVnZ2dnUVZ_gmdnZ2d@giganews,com ...
>
>>
>>If it's true, does it really matter who says it?
>
>
> That is my point. It isn't true.
>
>>US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
>>faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only the
>>first step.
>
> Healing the "split" doesn't matter. It really does nothing to improve the
> popularity of the IRL or open wheel racing in general, since it only brings
> a group of relative unknowns to the IRL. As long as there is an
> Indianapolis 500, there will be a series that will survive because of it.
> To end that affiliation without a large fan base is suicide. CART/OWRS/CCWS
> proved that by going bankrupt not once, but twice. Until open wheel can
> attract the drivers that are heading to NASCAR, and being used as a feeder
> series for F1, there will be limits to just how popular the series will be.
>
> Carey in Castleton
>
>
Other than Tony Stewart, what open wheeler has made any noise/become a
"star" in NASCAR? I wonder why they go? Oh yeah, lots more money,
regardless of success?
Carey Akin wrote:
> "armpit" <armarmpitpit@yahoo,com > wrote in message
> news:loudnW1NBPNJ76nVnZ2dnUVZ_gmdnZ2d@giganews,com ...
>
>>
>>If it's true, does it really matter who says it?
>
>
> That is my point. It isn't true.
>
>>US open wheel racing has a long road ahead if it ever wants even the
>>faintest sniff of its former glory days. Healing the split was only the
>>first step.
>
> Healing the "split" doesn't matter. It really does nothing to improve the
> popularity of the IRL or open wheel racing in general, since it only brings
> a group of relative unknowns to the IRL. As long as there is an
> Indianapolis 500, there will be a series that will survive because of it.
> To end that affiliation without a large fan base is suicide. CART/OWRS/CCWS
> proved that by going bankrupt not once, but twice. Until open wheel can
> attract the drivers that are heading to NASCAR, and being used as a feeder
> series for F1, there will be limits to just how popular the series will be.
>
> Carey in Castleton
>
>
Other than Tony Stewart, what open wheeler has made any noise/become a
"star" in NASCAR? I wonder why they go? Oh yeah, lots more money,
regardless of success?
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
On May 21, 2:59 pm, "Carey Akin" <cma...@att,net > wrote:
> A New York Daily News sports hack. Yeah, that is an authority.
At least this one isn't already in the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and
doesn't have a award named after him.
You're one for two. Looking good!
On May 21, 2:59 pm, "Carey Akin" <cma...@att,net > wrote:
> A New York Daily News sports hack. Yeah, that is an authority.
At least this one isn't already in the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and
doesn't have a award named after him.
You're one for two. Looking good!
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
On May 21, 2:59 pm, "Carey Akin" <cma...@att,net > wrote:
> "Robert Lorenzini" <b...@newportharbornet,com > wrote in message
>
> news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain...
>
>
>
> > http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21 d...
>
> > "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
> > Indianapolis 500.
>
> > Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being fleet
> > of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time winner of
> > the Indianapolis 500.
>
> > That's sad, but true.
>
> > Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be aired
> > later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live it still
> > had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in two in the
> > '90s.
>
> > All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the
> > series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide
> > phenomenon it is now.
>
> > Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
>
> > Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter. But,
> > he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
>
> > "The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race than
> > the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
>
> > But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
>
> > "So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable name
> > than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the racing is
> > better over in North Carolina."
>
> > He's not kidding.
>
> > Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance to
> > the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
>
> > "Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
>
> > Email: Rh...@nydailynews,com "
>
> A New York Daily News sports hack. Yeah, that is an authority.
>
I really tire of reading stick and ball reporters writing about motor
sports. At worst, Sports Illustrated is an example of a patronizing
attitude and at best they just don't understand.
On May 21, 2:59 pm, "Carey Akin" <cma...@att,net > wrote:
> "Robert Lorenzini" <b...@newportharbornet,com > wrote in message
>
> news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain...
>
>
>
> > http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21 d...
>
> > "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
> > Indianapolis 500.
>
> > Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being fleet
> > of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time winner of
> > the Indianapolis 500.
>
> > That's sad, but true.
>
> > Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be aired
> > later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live it still
> > had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in two in the
> > '90s.
>
> > All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the
> > series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide
> > phenomenon it is now.
>
> > Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
>
> > Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter. But,
> > he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
>
> > "The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race than
> > the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
>
> > But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
>
> > "So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable name
> > than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the racing is
> > better over in North Carolina."
>
> > He's not kidding.
>
> > Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance to
> > the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
>
> > "Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
>
> > Email: Rh...@nydailynews,com "
>
> A New York Daily News sports hack. Yeah, that is an authority.
>
I really tire of reading stick and ball reporters writing about motor
sports. At worst, Sports Illustrated is an example of a patronizing
attitude and at best they just don't understand.
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
Lenny <haysooce@hotmail,com > wrote:
> I really tire of reading stick and ball reporters writing about motor
> sports. At worst, Sports Illustrated is an example of a patronizing
> attitude and at best they just don't understand.
>
I agree. I once subscribed to SI on a trial basis 20 years ago and it was
fine, if you were an NBA, NFL or MLB buff. One of the three I cared about
at the time. It had nothing on hockey or anything about the kinds of auto
racing that I followed which I found interesting.
On the other hand, in one of my visits to Europe during the summer of 1989 to
attend a couple of Grands Prix, every British based magazine I read almost
completely ignored CART (save for the Indy 500) and when they didn't, it was
commonly referred to as "Formula Indy"! But they ranted and raved about
touring cars, rally racing and such. It was as if CART didn't exist.
It wasn't until Mansell crossed the pond in 1993 that things improved in that
regard, and I believe that it started with a column by Mansell himself in one
of the magazines!
Lenny <haysooce@hotmail,com > wrote:
> I really tire of reading stick and ball reporters writing about motor
> sports. At worst, Sports Illustrated is an example of a patronizing
> attitude and at best they just don't understand.
>
I agree. I once subscribed to SI on a trial basis 20 years ago and it was
fine, if you were an NBA, NFL or MLB buff. One of the three I cared about
at the time. It had nothing on hockey or anything about the kinds of auto
racing that I followed which I found interesting.
On the other hand, in one of my visits to Europe during the summer of 1989 to
attend a couple of Grands Prix, every British based magazine I read almost
completely ignored CART (save for the Indy 500) and when they didn't, it was
commonly referred to as "Formula Indy"! But they ranted and raved about
touring cars, rally racing and such. It was as if CART didn't exist.
It wasn't until Mansell crossed the pond in 1993 that things improved in that
regard, and I believe that it started with a column by Mansell himself in one
of the magazines!
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
"Robert Lorenzini" <bob@newportharbornet,com > wrote in message
news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain...
> http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21 despite danica patrick indy fizzles as n.html
>
>
>
> "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
> Indianapolis 500.
>
> Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being fleet
> of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time winner of
> the Indianapolis 500.
>
> That's sad, but true.
>
> Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be aired
> later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live it still
> had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in two in the
> '90s.
>
> All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the
> series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide
> phenomenon it is now.
>
> Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
>
> Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter. But,
> he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
>
> "The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race than
> the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
>
> But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
>
> "So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable name
> than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the racing is
> better over in North Carolina."
>
> He's not kidding.
>
> Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance to
> the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
>
> "Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
>
> Email: Rhuff@nydailynews,com "
They put the winner of the Indianapolis 500 on the Borg-Warner Trophy. What
do they do for the winner of the soda pop 600? Do they give him a banjo or
a mouth harp? Do they spraypaint his name on a highway overpass or a water
tower?
With all due respect to Mark Martin, the Coke is not the same thing, no
matter how you have come to think of it.
There may well be more lead changes in the Coke than in the Indianapolis
500. But each lap and each lead change in the 2008 Indianapolis 500 is at
least 10,000 times more significant in the history and heritage and future
of auto racing.
A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti went slumming and won the Daytona 500 just for
laughs.
Of the fifty greatest NASCAR drivers ever how many have won the big one?
None, you say? What a surprise. There is a big step in between Triple A
and the majors.
If Mark Martin or anyone else tries to compare NASCAR to the Indianapolis
500 they are exposing themselves as an ignorant redneck yokel. No surprise
there either.
"Robert Lorenzini" <bob@newportharbornet,com > wrote in message
news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain...
> http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21 despite danica patrick indy fizzles as n.html
>
>
>
> "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
> Indianapolis 500.
>
> Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being fleet
> of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time winner of
> the Indianapolis 500.
>
> That's sad, but true.
>
> Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be aired
> later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live it still
> had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in two in the
> '90s.
>
> All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the
> series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide
> phenomenon it is now.
>
> Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
>
> Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter. But,
> he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
>
> "The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race than
> the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
>
> But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
>
> "So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable name
> than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the racing is
> better over in North Carolina."
>
> He's not kidding.
>
> Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance to
> the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
>
> "Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
>
> Email: Rhuff@nydailynews,com "
They put the winner of the Indianapolis 500 on the Borg-Warner Trophy. What
do they do for the winner of the soda pop 600? Do they give him a banjo or
a mouth harp? Do they spraypaint his name on a highway overpass or a water
tower?
With all due respect to Mark Martin, the Coke is not the same thing, no
matter how you have come to think of it.
There may well be more lead changes in the Coke than in the Indianapolis
500. But each lap and each lead change in the 2008 Indianapolis 500 is at
least 10,000 times more significant in the history and heritage and future
of auto racing.
A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti went slumming and won the Daytona 500 just for
laughs.
Of the fifty greatest NASCAR drivers ever how many have won the big one?
None, you say? What a surprise. There is a big step in between Triple A
and the majors.
If Mark Martin or anyone else tries to compare NASCAR to the Indianapolis
500 they are exposing themselves as an ignorant redneck yokel. No surprise
there either.
Re: Except for Danica Patrick there isn't much reason to watch this weekend's Indy 500.
Robert Lorenzini <bob@newportharbornet,com > wrote in
news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain:
> http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more_sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21
_des
> pite_danica_patrick_indy_fizzles_as_n.html
>
>
>
> "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
> Indianapolis 500.
>
> Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being
> fleet of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time
> winner of the Indianapolis 500.
>
> That's sad, but true.
>
> Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be
> aired later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live
> it still had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in
> two in the '90s.
>
> All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the
> series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide
> phenomenon it is now.
>
> Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
>
> Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter.
> But, he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
>
> "The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race
> than the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
>
> But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
>
> "So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable
> name than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the
> racing is better over in North Carolina."
>
> He's not kidding.
>
> Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance
> to the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
>
> "Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
I remember someone posting here about how, a few years after the split,
they were able to get tickets to the 500 on raceday. And that was at
the booth, not from a scalper. The Brickyard 400 on the other hand.....
Robert Lorenzini <bob@newportharbornet,com > wrote in
news:slrng38p40.3j7.bob@localhost.localdomain:
> http :// www .nydailynews,com /sports/more_sports/2008/05/21/2008-05-21
_des
> pite_danica_patrick_indy_fizzles_as_n.html
>
>
>
> "Face it, without Danica, there would be no nationwide story in the
> Indianapolis 500.
>
> Helio Castroneves garnered more attention - and viewers - for being
> fleet of foot on "Dancing with the Stars" than he did as a two-time
> winner of the Indianapolis 500.
>
> That's sad, but true.
>
> Decades ago, the race was such a draw that it would be taped to be
> aired later - and people cared. Even when the race started airing live
> it still had cache. That all faded after the open wheel world split in
> two in the '90s.
>
> All along, though, NASCAR was putting on a good show. Eventually, the
> series got a marketing kick in the pants and it became the nationwide
> phenomenon it is now.
>
> Indy, meanwhile, fizzled.
>
> Martin said he's never been an open-wheel driver or even a go-karter.
> But, he remembers when Indy was big, really big.
>
> "The Indy 500, when I was 10 years old, was a more recognizable race
> than the Daytona 500 to a kid from Arkansas," he said. Martin is 49.
>
> But, as he grew up in stock car racing, Indy faded out in his world.
>
> "So I think that the Indy 500 still is a little bit more recognizable
> name than the Coca-Cola 600," Martin said, "but I sure believe the
> racing is better over in North Carolina."
>
> He's not kidding.
>
> Think about that as the Indy world, and the media, continue to dance
> to the Danica, Danica, Danica drumbeat heading into the weekend.
>
> "Don't believe the hype," Public Enemy rapped, "it's a sequel."
I remember someone posting here about how, a few years after the split,
they were able to get tickets to the 500 on raceday. And that was at
the booth, not from a scalper. The Brickyard 400 on the other hand.....
