Happy Hour: What else but the All-Star Race
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It’s time for the All-Star Race! Who is excited?
It doesn’t seem like many of you. The main theme heading into the race is alternative options for the race. That’s not a good sign for the event’s continued viability in it’s current form.
And it’s because the All-Star Race simply isn’t different. Yeah, it features a shorter field, but there’s nothing really compelling about the event. If the most compelling thing about it — that it’s winner take all — is the same phrase used to describe the Chase and its qualification process, well, you know something has to be done.
Does NASCAR? Hopefully. We’ll be watching, though we’re not expecting much drama. Hell, what’s the second-biggest storyline about the event after Kyle Busch’s return?
Away we go…
... to continue the theme.
All are valid points. If your driver is in the race, you’ll obviously be cheering for him. But, say, you’re a Clint Bowyer fan and he doesn’t get in via the Showdown on Friday night or the fan vote. Do you have a reason to watch other than “well, cars are going in circles and I’m at home, so I’m going to watch.”
It’s pretty clear (at least among those who have given us feedback) that the $1 million for the winner asset doesn’t pique fans’ interests. Charlotte doesn’t lend itself to great racing with this aero package. If you’re out at the bar and want to watch the race, you may have to ask the bartender to turn it on.
This race needs to be one of the most fun events of the year.
And here’s a way to make it fun!
How awesome would this be? Chad Knaus said it should be a secret to teams until the garages opened, making them scramble to be innovative. We’ve got an idea that takes off on that, and allows for some longevity.
There are many things NASCAR teams can do in the span of 48 hours. Instead of an unlimited rule book, why doesn’t NASCAR take away a specific section or part for the race? And then teams are notified of the missing puzzle piece when they get in the garage?
One year, cars could be mandated to have the front splitters cut off. Spoilers could be banned. The tapered spacer could be banned. Sideskirts could be tossed out. There could be no rules on shocks. Different tire compounds could be available. The possibilities aren’t endless, but there’s enough options to keep teams guessing and force them to show off their ingenuity. And hell, they could lead to better racing.
Of course, Vickers is out for the rest of the year. And Brian knows that, so we’re just having some hypothetical fun here.
If he was going to race next week, he gets a waiver. He’s already gotten one before, and he’ll get one again, especially now that Kyle Busch has one.
In case you missed it, that was the trophy for (Sunday morning’s) race. While large and in charge, it was also quite two-dimensional. Maybe a three-dimensional sponge was too much to ask?
That picture is also living nowhere else but Twitter, Facebook and here. Which, quite frankly, are three places too many.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
