rec.autos.simulators

I think that NASCAR is headed towards a serious problem with their
schedule.  I recall drivers and teams complaining a few years ago that
30 Winston Cup events was too many; now there are something like 36 or
37.  I fear that more and more teams who are not in contention will
sit out races in the second half as a result, and the integrity of the
sport will be hurt.  I also foresee drivers and teams leaving
permanently for other racing leagues that have more sane schedules.

My suggestion is, why not simply limit the number of races to 30?  If
they add a race, they have to delete one.  I know why it won't happen,
of course, because of greed.  There is money to be made at each race,
so the more the better, in the shortsighted view of some.  But do we
really need two races each year at Pocono, New Hampshire, Michigan,
C***te, Talladega, etc.?  I think the races would be more special
if there were only one a year at those places.  And ultimately, the
long-term health of the sport would be guaranteed.

I doubt if anyone from NASCAR would actually consider the idea, given
how successful they are right now, but I think they're being
shortsighted and it will come back to bite them.

Tim

  Well that situation is currently being felt in the Busch series.  Due to
the changes in the Engine rules, many teams didn't have the funding to
change engine packages and so for the first time in many years, the busch
series is not presenting full fields.  Nascar Winston Cup popularity is at
an alltime high, but if that popularity evens off or begins to wane even
slightly, then the teams with marginal budgets, will think twice about the
longer trips to Phoenix and California.
dave henrie

I live in Seattle and would sure like to see Nascar come to Seattle or
Portland.  The problem of this ever happening is because of the current
schedule.  If there were a venue in the pacific northwest, it would have to
be in the summertime of July or August because of the weather up here and
there are currently no dates available during those months.  I agree that
Nascar could shorten their schedule by going to a track only once a year and
maybe even have some room to expand their events geographicly at the same
time.  I would pay big bucks for a chance to go to a Nascar race and I see
some of these races on TV where the place isn't even sold out!  That's sad.

-Tim