From the Marbles - NASCAR

From the Marbles

Sat Nov 21, 2009 12:50 pm EST

NASCAR fans do have a voice after all! Well, sort of ...

By Carol Fitzgerald

[Editor's note: Carol Fitzgerald continues her analysis of all things NASCAR. She's a fan, and she's not particularly pleased with how fans are being treated. -- JB]

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, just when you thought the good old days of real racing were over, we learn that NASCAR is receiving not just one, but TWO awards for listening to its fans! They have won -- get this -- the "Forrester Groundswell Award" in the "Business-to-Consumer Listening" category, and the "Vision Critical 2009 Panel of the Year" award.

Sounds like corporate crapola appropriate recognition for the racing that I have sacrificed enjoyed the past months of my life supporting.

Anybody remember last year (yeah, I know, that was a long time ago!), hearing about a NASCAR Fan Council being created? And we all encouraged each other to join? And nobody could because it was "already full"? Well, somehow they managed to sign up some 12,000 loyal NASCAR fans before the likes of you and I even heard of the thing, and are polling them regularly for input on how to make NASCAR better! That's right, and these lucky 12,000 are responsible for double-file restarts and more consistent start times being added to our NASCAR goodness!

And who indeed might Forrester (the guys giving out this no-doubt prestigious award) be? When you take out all the corporate-speak, they're a company who helps its customers figure out how to talk to their own customers by "social networking" means like teh interwebs. And then they pat them on the back for doing a good job. The circle of life!

Just think of it! Brian France can walk up on that stage, and the audience can begin pelting him with random items of standard banquet dinner that haven't been devoured yet (oops, my fantasy is showing. I personally would pay money just to see this, to say nothing of participating.) Sadly, I'm sure the reality will be much more polite. Now all we need to do is find out who the hallowed 12,000 are, and ask them to lobby NASCAR to let the boys race!

Your turn, happy peoples. Anybody on the NASCAR Fan Council? Can I get a "hell yeah"?

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  1. Kim
    1. Posted by Kim Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:47 pm EST

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    Carol, you're getting a "hell, no" from me. I think that the 12000 "fans" that are on that board must have been handpicked by Nascar to support them. Yes, the double file restarts are good, as will be standard starting times; but what about the boring racing? I'm sorry, but I like racing--other than that caused by a late-lap "debris" caution. Maybe the new Nationwide car will have some good benefits to the Cup car; especially when viewership of NNW goes up and Cup goes down even more than it has this year due to the car design allowing racing instead of parade laps. Are you reading this Nascar?
  2. KimRN
    2. Posted by KimRN Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:03 pm EST

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    My friend in Oregon is on the council and she was NOT hand picked - in fact, she let's 'em have it every week!
  3. Dani
    3. Posted by Dani Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:42 pm EST

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    NO... not on the Fan Council either!!! I would have said, "there is no (bogus) Fan Council" but, KimRN knows someone who is. TWO Awards, I'm shocked!!!
  4. TimidObserver
    4. Posted by TimidObserver Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:45 pm EST

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    I'm scared. For a sport that draws so many conservatives you're astoundingly liberal. I like that. Sadly, everthing I like has a tendency to disappear quickly.
  5. Frevic
    5. Posted by Frevic Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:08 pm EST

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    Well Carol, when France said yesterday he has no problem with Johnson dominating, that just added more fuel to my opinions, this is a Hendrick Nascar Touring Series, one owner has different standards and rules from others, but oh well, Brian, keep looking at the stands, dumbazz
  6. kinggeorge
    6. Posted by kinggeorge Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:14 pm EST

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    I hate IE.
  7. Sabes
    7. Posted by Sabes Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:42 pm EST

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    NASCAR and all auto racing in a waste of time. It's not a sport, so let's keep it off TV and stick with real sports. They can have racing at the fairs only!
  8. Dani
    8. Posted by Dani Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:53 pm EST

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    kinggeorge - Are you having a problem with IE? I've been having a lot of trouble too. I just thought it was my laptop?
  9. kinggeorge
    9. Posted by kinggeorge Sat Nov 21, 2009 4:02 pm EST

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    Would fans be okay with NASCAR penalizing Hendrick and his teams for overachieving? What exactly should they do to "level the playing field"? I listen to RCR, Rousch, & Penske drivers each week say how THEY need to improve THEIR programs to be able to compete. Competition is about improving your abilities to best a rival. Not penalizing winners to let the inadequate catch up.
  10. Rudy88
    10. Posted by Rudy88 Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:47 pm EST

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    Hell yes! I also mentioned it on here to try to get more people into it. It's ironic that they have sent me a questionnaire after every race,EXCEPT TALLADEGA!
    Oh dear! No deer! Maybe next Sat.
  11. Rudy88
    11. Posted by Rudy88 Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:51 pm EST

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    Sabes - Your an IDIOT! If they can call poker a sport and have it on TV, which they do, why not NASCAR. Bet you don't have the physical, or mental stamina to drive a race car. I can tell that just by reading your uneducated drivel!
  12. Frevic
    12. Posted by Frevic Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:56 pm EST

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    Rudy, you taking your frustrations out on Bambi
  13. DAVID
    13. Posted by DAVID Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:47 pm EST

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    Sabes....amen brutha....NASCAR is not a sport. Driving? cmon...you're strapped into a seat for crying out loud
  14. brinirmess
    14. Posted by brinirmess Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:37 pm EST

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    Carol- Another Good Story. But have to give a WTF? Just got finished watching Nascar change the rules again for Kesel- [profane]y, and then to read that Jeffy titty baby Gordon was one of the drivers that [etitioned Nascar for the Dega fiasco. Again, can I hear a WTF!
  15. Carol
    15. Posted by Carol Sat Nov 21, 2009 8:13 pm EST

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    Um, TImid? I gotta ask, who are you accusing of being a liberal?
  16. Ace
    16. Posted by Ace Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:35 pm EST

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    I'm a member of the Fan Council. Honest to goodness.
  17. Yellowhammer
    17. Posted by Yellowhammer Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:46 pm EST

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    NA$CAR wins two "awards" after this season of fan discontent? You can make "chicken salad out of chicken sh*t, but you can't make anybody eat it"! How empty will the stands be tomorrow?
  18. Meltdown
    18. Posted by Meltdown Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:18 am EST

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    "NASCAR and all auto racing in a waste of time. It's not a sport, so let's keep it off TV and stick with real sports. They can have racing at the fairs only! "
    Oh goody, another NASCAR isn't a sport and drivers are sissies, guy!
    Yer probably too young and wet behind the ears to remember, but way back when, ABC had a show that pitted athletes from different sports against one another. They mistakenly added a few of those sissy drivers. Who went out and kicked ass on the stick and ball "athletes".
  19. Meltdown
    19. Posted by Meltdown Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:36 am EST

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    "Sabes....amen brutha....NASCAR is not a sport. Driving? cmon...you're strapped into a seat for crying out loud "
    And another one! How EVER did we get so blessed?
    Strapped in...Yep, they sure are. To a 3500 lb car, pulling 4 to 6 G's, sustained for upwards of 3 to 4 hours...and upwards of 9+ g's in wrecks...all while batling temps of up to 130 to 140 in the car. All whilst avoiding contact with 42 others who are doing the same thing, having to react within split seconds to avoid injury or possibly death!
    But, i CAN see yer point...I mean, hitting and catching a ball is SOOOOOOOOO demanding!
  20. Rudy88
    20. Posted by Rudy88 Sun Nov 22, 2009 7:46 am EST

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    Frev - I didn't even get to see bambi yesterday. Had a bunch of turkeys in shooting range, but don't have turkey tags and they're out of season. My bro-in-law is baiting in the spot I was in and he thinks the deer are coming by and eating the corn. I think it's the turkeys.
  21. Rudy88
    21. Posted by Rudy88 Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:35 am EST

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    brini - Just how did they change the rules for Bradski. Denny is the mouth that said it LOUD AND CLEAR, just how he was going to get back at Bradski, then when he did, was proud of what he did. If anything deserves a penalty, that does. I really think that due to his bragging about what he was going to do, his penalty should have been stronger, since it was a purposeful, flagrant violation, and it is always possible that in a situation such as that, someone could have been hurt. I personally think that Bradski took the high road and that left the hamster looking like an idiot. I think that anyone who brags about getting back at someone and does it openly and with much fore thought, should be kicked out of the race, before they hurt someone. JMHO
  22. anthony m
    22. Posted by anthony m Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:45 pm EST

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    Carol, Interesting article. If you need help rsetocking that buffet table for that speech, let me know. Everyone present should have plenty of projectiles to toss at this speaker. My idea to instantly improve NASCAR- 1) cut the rulebook in half 2) put any whiny drivers in the corner for timeout if they can't behave. Thanx to all this year that I've talked with. Certainly enjoyed all of your columns. Brini- I hope your boy wins one, I'm rooting for you. Call outs to Rudy88, Frevic, Kim and KimRN, PC(be nice PC)-have great holidays. Shawn and Chad-Stop steaming up the windows, you lovebirds.
  23. Willy Doer
    23. Posted by Willy Doer Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:57 pm EST

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    Brin- I guess i missed something...wehat rule did they change for Jet Ski? Something for ROY?
  24. Kdiggity
    24. Posted by Kdiggity Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:04 pm EST

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    very interesting, didn't know there was a fan council why stop at 12,000 though???? and "after i really wanna take a nap" dega they prob didn't want to hear what the fans had to say...
  25. Moon
    25. Posted by Moon Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:21 pm EST

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    Meltdown you are the dude!!!
    I love you. You tell them and put them in their place.
    My question to those guys......IF YOU DO NOT LIKE RACING, WHY ARE YOU POSTING ON A RACING BLOG?????
    How much stupider can you get??? I guess we finally have our answer
    and before you can say anyting, I did spell that right. Here
    stu·pid (stpd, sty-)
    adj. stu·pid·er, stu·pid·est
    1. Slow to learn or understand; obtuse.
    2. Tending to make poor decisions or careless mistakes.
    3. Marked by a lack of intelligence or care; foolish or careless: a stupid mistake.
    4. Dazed, stunned, or stupefied.
    Play close attention to #3

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From the Marbles is a NASCAR blog edited by Jay Busbee. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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