Any chance we could actually, you know, go racing? (Getty Images)Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
So does NASCAR numerology dominate your life like it does mine? Any two-digit number that comes up, I'm thinking of its NASCAR equivalent. For instance, I always use the Jeff Burton (#31) locker at my gym. I recently pulled into parking space #88. (And no, I didn't slide through the space, you clowns.) And I had to have a little conversation when one of my kids brought home a test that was closer to Regan Smith than the Carl Edwards performance I expect. How about you?
For now, your letters. Last week's talk of announcers was an unexpectedly hot topic, but we'll get to that soon. First, some talk of why it takes so long to start the damn races ...
Why does every week have to resemble the hype of a Super Bowl? One of the problems with NASCAR is overexposure. I am burned out by the time the race takes place. No other sport broadcasts practice sessions. Between Sprint Cup, Nationwide and the truck series, fans are inundated with TV coverage. We really do not need to watch practice sessions, and with the exception of Sprint Cup, we do not need to watch qualifying. What ever happened to the old adage of "leave them wanting more?"
— Carl
Oakland, Tenn.
If you left them wanting more, a good percentage of them would just scream that they want more. I get your point, that not every aspect of the race weekend needs to be televised, but here's a thought: don't watch. Yes, there are people who need to tune in every week to see every turn of every car, and that's nice and all, but it's not REQUIRED for you to do that.
I remember when DVDs first came out, and they'd promise all the behind the scenes extras, and deleted scenes, and you're thinking, awesome! I loved Mission: Impossible 2 so much I just HAVE to see all the other parts! And you don't watch them. You never do. I've got the three Lord of the Rings flicks on DVD (don't judge), and if I'd started watching all the featurettes they've got right when I bought them back in 2003, I'd finish up later this year. More ≠ better.
So, yeah: if you don't like it, don't watch it. I will give you this, though: I'd much rather have more postrace analysis and breakdowns than prerace hype. Keep the drivers around for a few more minutes before they get on their planes, maybe get some good emotion out of 'em.
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