NASCAR Listening to Fans

May 26, 2009 by RacingWin
Filed under: NASCAR 

Dale Jr Autographed Items

 

It looks like NASCAR is finally listening to you.

NASCAR went the extra mile in trying to get the Coca-Cola 600 in during on and off rain showers Monday.

They waited and waited before finally declaring the race official and David Reutimann the winner.

This was a complete turnaround from February when Matt Kenseth was declared the winner in about fifteen minutes after just one red flag.

Not Like Daytona

This race was completely different from the Daytona 500.

After the Daytona race was called NASCAR was faced with unhappy fans that had this to say:

“The Daytona 500 is touted as THE race and this one turned out to be a farce. I like Matt Kenseth but he DID NOT win that race! I have never seen them call a race so quickly because of rain. NASCAR had plenty of time to wait it out and get the track dried. The fans were cheated. Other potential winners were cheated. Matt Kenseth might have gone on to win anyway but at least he would have really won, not just have it handed to him. What kind of win is that?” ~ Marie

“I don’t think that NASCAR did enough for the fans on (during the Daytona 500) Sunday. We all pay to see a race and they play god. It doesn’t matter if you are at the track or watching it on T.V. we all deserve to see the best car win.” ~ #1 Earnhardt Fan

“As one of the people who waited in the rain at the race to watch the last 48 laps, yes NASCAR called the race way too soon. Less than an hour after the race was called, it stopped raining and those last 48 laps could have been completed. I waited almost 10 years to go to the big race and although it was a great experience, the finish was a great let down!” ~ Karen Hillegas

NASCAR is listening to you. They went through multiple red flags and kept putting the jet driers on the track to try and get the Coca Cola 600 in. NASCAR did not call this race until it became clear that there was no other choice – unlike the decision they made in ending the Daytona 500 3 months ago.

You need to keep speaking up – NASCAR does listen, sometimes.

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Comments

28 Comments on NASCAR Listening to Fans

  1. harry kimmey on Tue, 26th May 2009 10:27 pm

    2. ALONG WITH THE NATIONWIDE RACE, THE MOST BORRING RACING I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. RAIN OR NO RAIN THEY RACE THE LAST 40 LAPS,THATS WHAT WE MISSED. I WAS GLAD THE NATIONWIDE WAS RAINED OUT. MAYBE THE DRIVERS WILL START TO RACE INSTEAD OF ALL THIS WAIT TO THE LAST 40. AS YOU KNOW THE BEST CAR DID NOT WIN, SAME WAY WITH THE SPRINT. THEY TALK FOR A WEEK ABOUT THE 600 AND YET GET A RAIN OUT IN A LITTLE OVER 200 LAPS. THE FANS GET THE SHAFT AGAIN, SPEND BIG MONEY FOR WHAT. I THINK THEY SHOULD GO TO AT LEAST THREE QUARTERS BEFORE ITS OVER. ALSO I’M GLAD I TAYPED BOTH RACES. TOOK ME 30 MIN. TO WATCH THE NATIONWIDE RACE,A LITTLE MORE FOR THE 600. THE DRIVERS WANTED TO WAIT IT OUT AND RACE. GLAD TO SEE THE UP SET ANYWAY.

  2. Jerome Jasinkowski on Tue, 26th May 2009 10:38 pm

    3. It sure is about time Nascar is listening to the fans, if only they would have listened back when Kyle bush spun Dale Jr out going into the Pits,
    Then Again, He spun Jr out from winning a race , We all see Kyle turn his car into Jr, It must be that Nascar is blind or something, Then kyle had the nerve to say his car slid, Slid my but, QAll the fans seen it on TV, replay the race and you will see the same.
    Kyle Bush Dont Like Dale Jr because Hendricks let him go early out of his contract, then Dale Jr took his Spot,
    And now, The fans all feel that the car Kyle bush is driveing is illegal, Its either bored over, Or the Carbator plate is a bit bored over size, something has to be wrong as the way he runs away from the pack,

  3. mick on Tue, 26th May 2009 10:39 pm

    4. You can’t run the race days after it’s scheduled. If it rains, it rains – any holder knows that when purchasing an outdoor racing event ticket, no matter what the venue. These races are not set up for a crew to head to Dover Tuesday night and be ready to race effectively the next weekend. I commend Nascar…I’m disappointed the shows weren’t as good as I would have liked, but I feel an honest effort was put forth on everybody’s part. Those long delays are tough on the drivers too…I also appreciate and respect their desire to finish the race.

  4. Birddog on Tue, 26th May 2009 10:43 pm

    5. It is a crying shame that the winner of the 600 won by just staying on the track when the rest of the field came to pit row. I guess his crew chief was the only one watching radar ?
    I would love to see NASCAR make a new rule that states that when a caution flag is thrown for rain that no one can make a pit stop until they get ready to go back to green flag racing. That way at least the winner will not be someone who was running in the back of the field all day and more than likely would have finished several laps down ? Come on NASCAR do what`s right and quit cheating the fans out of their hard earned money.

  5. Mr J on Tue, 26th May 2009 11:12 pm

    6. I agree with Birddog 100%,there is no way Reutimann would have won that race except for it being give to him.Its time for the Nascar Mafia to quit cheating the fans.

  6. Norm Heseltine sr on Tue, 26th May 2009 11:20 pm

    7. RAIN IS RAIN AND JUST GET OVER IT . GOD HAS CONTROL OF THE ELIMENTS AND HE HAS NO FAVOURITES TO RACING CARS1
    AS FOR PRICES , MAYBE THE WHOLE THING WITH NASCAR HAS TO BE LOOKED AT AND SEEING WE ARE IN THE WORST “DEPRESSION” SINCE THE 30′S, PRICING SHOULD BE LOOKED AT SERIOUSLY -RIGHT NASCAR ?
    THE FANS DESERVE BETTER PRICING !!

  7. Goldie on Tue, 26th May 2009 11:22 pm

    8. Well, I for one, (and I’m sure not the only one) would rather see anyone win beside Kyle. I agree with Jerome about his dirty driving and NASCAR not doing anything about it where Jr. was involved. One thing for sure, no one can help Mother Nature when it comes to rain, but I do think there should be better rules when this type of finish occurs. Please give Jr. some good equipment!!!

  8. Jim Chalmers on Tue, 26th May 2009 11:35 pm

    9. Ok, it’s all behind us, no changes will be made. Lets focus on the next one.

  9. sammy s on Tue, 26th May 2009 11:48 pm

    10. Well, we will SEE if NASCAR listens. The NAACP will boycot NAscar AT hOMESTEAd, fla IF THEY DON’T make the people stop displaying confederate flags. I am betting NASCAR will go along with them. I wonder IF all the (us) rednecks and southern guys and gals said we will boycot Nascar IF they STOP the flags and do it? I think maybe a few against thousands will win but I still Bet NASCAR will go along with the NAACP! I am so tired of all the special interests groups telling us all how to live. They don’t pay my bills. Hell with them all!

  10. mamadew88 on Wed, 27th May 2009 12:05 am

    11. I have to agree with Birddog in regards that NASCAR makes these changes with every race when it comes to the rules pertaining to a race delay. If the weather report is for a chance of rain and you have all this modern technology stating that you may not be able to continue any given race, then the rules should remain the same. EVERYONE SHOULD GO TO PIT ROAD AND STAY WITH YOUR CAR UNTIL A DECISION IS MADE ON WHETHER YOU ARE TO CONTINUE OR CALL THE RACE DUE TO RAIN. MAKE A RULING JUST FOR RAIN DELAYS AND STICK TO THAT RULE TO AVOID FUTURE BAD CALLS. If you are to continue then you will start the race where you left off before the rain. (Your position) Not only is this fair to the drivers, but to the fans as well. We fans don’t like to see a rain delay as we are the ones who are out there getting drenched.

    NASCAR please be fair to EVERYONE, drivers and fans as well !!!!!!! I’ve endured races where I stayed out in the rain, got ill and came back the next day when the race was finished in better weather.

  11. Rose Misner on Wed, 27th May 2009 4:51 am

    12. First and foremost, I am offended by the redneck comment, I am from New York, so I’m not a redneck..I love the races and have endured plenty of rain on Sat. and Sunday past, as well as the southern heat. Regardless! I enjoyed meeting some of the drivers’,their not all my favorite. I do agree that Nascar should have one set of rules and abide by them straight across the board, no excuses or exceptions. If your going to play the role of government do it and play fair. Your laws should be revised and make the economy a part of ruling.No stereo-typing.Remember the fans pay some of your salaries too!We are all there to show support for our favorite driver/s. I have fun, sometimes excruciating,none the less I always have fun.

  12. carole on Wed, 27th May 2009 8:22 am

    13. I am also from New York, although I presently live in South Carolina and I am not at all offended by the term Red-neck. Research your history and you will find out the term originated in West Va as a name for the early union coal miners who wore a red bandanna around their neck and has morphed into including Southerners in general. I am also sick of special interest groups getting their way. NASCAR better not pander to a group that doesn’t support them instead of making sure one of their core groups stays happy. The NAACP feeds off of controversy as a way of making money; they need to find some way to appear oppressed so the little old ladies keep sending in their contributions out of fear. Wave any flag you want to; that’s why we have Memorial Day,so you can be free to express your opinion. AND YES, PLEASE GIVE JR A NEW CREW CHIEF, NEW EQUIPMENT AND AN APPOINTMENT WITH A GOOD PSYCHIATRIST SO HE CAN WIN SOME RACES

  13. David on Wed, 27th May 2009 8:39 am

    14. Not to belittle Carl Long, but he is basically a nobody in Nascar. That is why he was fined a record amount. Chad Knaus got caught cheating at Daytona, but they were allowed to compete and win the race and season championship. Nascar has it’s favorites, and there is a different set of penalties for these favorites. As far as I’m concerened, Mike Helton is the biggest idiot in Nascar and he and all the other decision makers are ruining the sport and turning away fans.

  14. NASCAR FAN? on Wed, 27th May 2009 8:49 am

    15. I WOULD LIKE ALL NASCAR COLLECTABLES MADE IN THE U.S.A. AS LONG AS MOST OF THEM ARE NOT. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANY OF THEM ANYMORE. IN A CATALOG WE GOT IN THE MAIL TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK. IT HAS A BEAUTIFUL RED SHIRT. TITLED MADE IN THE U.S.A. THE ONLY THING ABOUT IT IS IN THE DESCRIPTION OF IT SAYS IMPORTED. SO SAD SO SAD. AMEN

  15. Nytro on Wed, 27th May 2009 9:46 am

    16. I think if NASCAR throws the yellow for rain that they bring the field to pit road in race order. If they go back to race then let those cars decide if they want to pit. Good call Birddog. Hope NASCAR listened to owners and drivers Tuesday about the sport. Seems sponsor money has their interest more when we see commercial after commercial then the announcer pushes the name some more. Just think only one more week before we do not have to hit the “mute” button so we don’t have to hear that same tired stupid call of belts and racing at the start. Plus no pushing rodent items or seeing it. The saying got old after a few races plus if your web site sells rodent stuff I guess you push it.

  16. Elaine on Wed, 27th May 2009 12:15 pm

    17. I’M SO EXCITED THAT WE ONLY HAVE TO LISTEN TO DW AND LM FOR THE LAST TIME THIS YEAR. PERSONALLY I THINK THEY NEED TO FIND SOME NEW ANNOUNCERS PERIOD!!!!! I ALSO THINK THE CARTOONS BEFORE THE IS BELITTLING AND STUPID. IF THEY WANT TO WATCH CARTOONS, STAY HOME AND WATCH THE CARTOON CHANNEL. DIGGER WAS KINDA CUTE AT FIRST, BUT SINCE DW IS PROMOTING HIS DIGGER ITEMS, WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO HIS CRAP THE WHOLE RACE. DW & LM NEED TO FIND A NEW JOB. LOVE THE RACES, BUT NASCAR NEEDS TO QUIT SHOWING SO MUCH PARTIALITY TO CERTAIN TEAMS AND DRIVERS, SUCH AS CHAD AND JIMMY, AND MOST OF ALL KYLE BUSCH. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON OR KB WOULDN’T HAVE THE SPEED IN HIS CARS THAT THE OTHER DRIVERS DON’T. BUSCH, BEWARE, JOEY AND BIG ORANGE ARE GOING TO PUT YOU DOWN SOONER OR LATER. GO SMOKE, NEWMAN, HAMLIN, AND LOGANO!!!!!!!

  17. janet on Wed, 27th May 2009 12:29 pm

    18. I watched and taped the 600 and I just wish that they would have either races or just called it for rain,don’t they think that people might have other things to do then just watch rain delays, after all this was memorial day.
    Also I agree on the kyle busch thing there has got to be more under that hood of his car.
    Just please JR some equipment that he can race with and be at the front of the track.

  18. Joe on Wed, 27th May 2009 1:09 pm

    19. WHY the switch to other carriers/networks after next weeks Dover? PLEASE, let FOX carry ALL the races! Aside from preferring the way Larry, DW, etc. cover, comment throughout the race, FOX WILL CONTINUE the coverage TILL THE END! I don’t have Cable, so I don’t get the races on ESPN, SPEED or whatever! And, when ABC covers, in the event of any delays–rain, etc.–ABC always reverts to their ‘SOAPS’ or whatever, and we viewers are left high & dry!
    PLEASE, LET FOX CONTINUE TO COVER ALL the races!

    Although the 600 was so rain delayed, I really enjoyed the continued coverage, and the introspection into the drivers, and other NASCAR insights that one does not get during the race, nor whenever that other network abandons coverage in favor of some ‘soap!’

  19. Randy King on Wed, 27th May 2009 1:47 pm

    20. By Birddog on May 26, 2009 | Reply

    It is a crying shame that the winner of the 600 won by just staying on the track when the rest of the field came to pit row. I guess his crew chief was the only one watching radar ?
    I would love to see NASCAR make a new rule that states that when a caution flag is thrown for rain that no one can make a pit stop until they get ready to go back to green flag racing. That way at least the winner will not be someone who was running in the back of the field all day and more than likely would have finished several laps down ? Come on NASCAR do what`s right and quit cheating the fans out of their hard earned money.

    —————-
    If NASCOT cared.. races would call after 3/4 not 1/2 of the race..

  20. Randy King on Wed, 27th May 2009 1:59 pm

    21. NASCAR died when Dale Sr. died… Now we have NASCOT… (Toyota and the COT killed NASCAR).

  21. Evie on Wed, 27th May 2009 3:32 pm

    22. THAT WILL BE REMAIN TO BE SEEN

  22. Wayne Lyons on Wed, 27th May 2009 3:43 pm

    23. I don’t know about any body else but I feel like I was cheated out of the coke-cola 600. They knew there was a very good chance there was going to be rain and that it probaly would not go the distance instead of running to lap200 so they could call it official they should have postponed it to another day so we as fans wouldn’t be cheated. One good thing I didn’t spend all that money to go to the race like a lot of fans did and I fel bad for them. Next time postpone it instead of running 40or50 laps at a time in between rain storms.

  23. charlotte on Wed, 27th May 2009 9:25 pm

    24. the fans pay to see a race! nascar should run the race! they pay good money to see it. and they set it out in the rain! what is wrong with nascar? maybe if all the fans stay at home and watch it on tv, nascar will change! we don’t like rain delay wins!!!!

  24. Bill E on Wed, 27th May 2009 9:48 pm

    25. Nice to see anyone except the LV puke brothers win the race, no matter how they called it. The COT and the puke bros have killed nascar for me. I quit watching and will not go to a nascar race anymore, (I have been to many)!!
    I have found the local tracks put on an excellent show! They deserve my support.

  25. REGAN on Wed, 27th May 2009 11:39 pm

    26. I HAD POSTED A GREAT COMMENT ON NASCAR LISTENING TO THE FANS BUT SOMEHOW IT GOT TAKEN OFF AND I DID NOT EVEN SAY ANYTHING WRONG. JUST THE TRUTH!!! BUT I GUESS IT MAY HAVE SOMEONE SCARED THAT THE NAACP MIGHT SUE OR BOYCOTT NASCAR!!!! NASCAR WHAT A JOKE YOU HAVE BECOME!!

  26. Jim Cowan on Fri, 29th May 2009 7:29 am

    27. Re: Nascar listening to fans:

    I have heard too many times that NASCAR called the 2009 Daytona 500 too soon.

    I don’t like everything that NASCAR does or says but in the case of the 2009 Daytona 500 the outcome would not have been different if they had waited until midnight. It rained almost steady most of the night in Daytona once it had started.

    I too was disappointed, but the decision to call the race due to rain was appropriate.

    Give them a break for a change.

    Jim

  27. REGAN on Fri, 29th May 2009 8:42 am

    28. JIM WHY SHOULD WE GIVE NASCAR A BREAK? THEY DONT GIVE THE FANS A BREAK!!!!

  28. dean tripp on Sat, 30th May 2009 5:57 pm

    29. you need to cut the 500 milers down to 300 miles and make them more like like the all star race i watched all of the all star race and never watch all of a 500m p.s. tell kyle to shut his mouth

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