NASCAR

[Wittsend]

Sometimes things just run their course. NASCAR use to help sell family cars to a performance minded dads on Monday. Now they try and sell detergent to housewives. NASCAR, NHRA etc. are not forms that keep up with modern FWD cars people relate to.  Fake bodies and painted on features take their toll on truth too. $60 cheap seats and $10+ beer..., and at some point it becomes "been there, done that" for the fickle fan that never really was.

I'm not sure what NASCAR can do. I was never a fan for lengthy roundy-round racing.  NHRA Pro Stock should go back to stock bodies/floorpans with welded in cages and running currently available engines (even if limited to 4 cylinders).  Allow 4-WD to get around the FWD limitations.  I lost interest with the current cars looking like carburated funny Cars.

[Rebolting73]

Yep, California is even trying to extort big oil for cash by filing lawsuits for global warming. One party rule.  To some degree, technology blindly drives culture. The first cars required wiggling, jiggling and incantations to start. If you were not a mechanic, you were walking home. Even 50 years ago, cars were still complex, needing regular attention. The average guy, with average tools would make repairs. Everyone worked on cars back then, so higher interest, pride, value and competition were natural. NASCAR had guys like Dave Marcus (in wing tip shoes) that the average guy could relate to. Today, cars are complicated, going forever with only oil and filters. There is no underlying need stimulating interest with cars, but there is with phones and applications. Even electric or hydrogen cars will not kindle the personal experience needed to fill grandstands.

[Pintosopher]

Of course if you believe everything MSN propagandizes  then we are cooked.. I'll stick with the business side of reality. The Left has done a bang up job of separating our Youth from the Parental influence of the gender based Interests that supported racing in general. NASCAR has overlooked the marketplace and ignored the Fiscal realities of the Middle Class families. (IT COSTS TOO DAMN MUCH!) Junior and Sally must have the latest in Mobile technologies to just keep up at school, and the parents are losing ground to the Infotainment Universe overhead.
Show me a child that wants to build things instead of just using things up to a point of Obsolescence, and I'll show you a Future racing Fan
Daddy and Mommy need to "parent up " and fix this or the  Media will own our children and all of their values, interests, and Income. Code writers? yeah , we must have them, But not at the expense of understanding why they exist.
All of us Graying Seniors have an obligation, or this will end in the "Rise of the Machines" and the end of Humanity, and it's value to the Future

Pintosopher,  looking to the lessons of History, Humbled by the wisdom of Divinity

Motorhead to the Equine Ox cart

[Rebolting73]

Times sure do change. 100 years ago, everyone knew a horse drawn chaise from a brougham. Today, I can't tell a chuck wagon from a stage coach. In spite of my expectations and prompting, only 1 of our 4 kids (a girl) enjoys working on her own car, and that's only because she has the screw head gene and will fix anything. Vintage tin is fading away from the street and into static displays. Makes driving a Pinto even sweeter. Holding those reigns with pride, giddy up little pony.

[dick1172762]

Today there is a news post on MSN about why the stands are empty at NASCAR races. One I had though of before but never gave much though to. The youth of today are not into cars. There are no gearheads anymore leaving school today. First of all there are no cars made today that makes your blood run warm. The only ones that could, can't be bought by the youth of today. Sport cars are the only hot rods of today, and those people don't dig NASCAR very much if at all. The youth of today are only fired up over their electronics and look at a car as only an object that will interfere with their I pad and such. What can be done? Nothing at all. That's the way it is and there is no cure. Go to a car show and you will see the owners are all over 40. SAYLAVIE America!

[Pintosopher]

Just saw on the news that Denny Hamlin thinks that NASCAR drivers should make as much as the NBA and NFL stars make. But for ever hi $$$$ player there are many that don't make the big bucks. Sounds like NASCAR, right? They both act like fools when they win so that's even. When I worked down south for a NASCAR team, even last place payed enough to show up for the next race. We had used tires and engines, in fact the whole car was made up of used parts from a top running team. Its still that way. The stars are all rich and well taken care of, the rest are just hanging on the best they can. So quit your crying Denny and try to win the run offs. Maybe the money NASCAR drivers make should be prorated to where they placed in the race. First place$$$$. Last place$. Racing would be MUCH better that way.

I never heard Mark Martin gripe about the income in Nascar, the man actually had some guts and didn't whine if he never claimed a championship,( Came Damn Close!) So Denny, Get your Hormones Checked, and beware the progressive mantra of outcome based achievement, or you'll see a world where everyone gets a Pony for trying.

[dick1172762]

Just saw on the news that Denny Hamlin thinks that NASCAR drivers should make as much as the NBA and NFL stars make. But for ever hi $$$$ player there are many that don't make the big bucks. Sounds like NASCAR, right? They both act like fools when they win so that's even. When I worked down south for a NASCAR team, even last place payed enough to show up for the next race. We had used tires and engines, in fact the whole car was made up of used parts from a top running team. Its still that way. The stars are all rich and well taken care of, the rest are just hanging on the best they can. So quit your crying Denny and try to win the run offs. Maybe the money NASCAR drivers make should be prorated to where they placed in the race. First place$$$$. Last place$. Racing would be MUCH better that way.

[dick1172762]

On wheels just like when he broke the speed of sound in 93 ( 94? ). Andy Green also holds the diesel speed record set on the salt flats. I don't think NASA has ever broken the speed of sound with their sled.

[Pintosopher]

Just read the news clip on MSN about the 1000 mph Bloodhound that Andy Green ( fastest man in a car on earth ) will drive to try to be the first to go 1000 mph. Has both a jet engine and a rocket engine plus a 800 hp Jaguar engine to just run the fuel pump. What a blast that will be!  They will try in 2018 in South America. The car will draw more press than NASCAR ever though of. Just think, 1000 mph on land. Good luck Andy! You hold the hopes and dreams of every gearhead in the world.

Would that be on wheels or has NASA already beat that with Rocket sleds on rail tracks?

[dick1172762]

Just read the news clip on MSN about the 1000 mph Bloodhound that Andy Green ( fastest man in a car on earth ) will drive to try to be the first to go 1000 mph. Has both a jet engine and a rocket engine plus a 800 hp Jaguar engine to just run the fuel pump. What a blast that will be!  They will try in 2018 in South America. The car will draw more press than NASCAR ever though of. Just think, 1000 mph on land. Good luck Andy! You hold the hopes and dreams of every gearhead in the world.

[Pintosopher]

I really appreciate the invite Dick. I would love to move somewhere like that! Honestly, I just don't see my wife ever leaving the kids and grandkids behind in Ca. I can't blame her though, I can't even imagine myself being stuck somewhere with only me!
[/quo te]
Frank ,same thing here with my wife. We're doomed by the paradox of the access to the coast and Lake Tahoe area. Being land locked would drive her nuts, and me even nuttier dealing with it, and we have no kids, soo, we endure till they impoverish us. BTW in Folsom 1100 sq ft 3bdrm 2Ba now selling for $410K , built in 1959!  And the Beat goes on... 

Pintosopher , no shack left unflipped, No pancake without syrup

[dga57]

Siloam Springs is 15 miles from our house. It is the home of Marsh wheels and tires for circle track cars. But its no longer open as the owner died and no one has bought it. Very bad as their 13 x 7 mini stock wheels were perfect on a Pinto. Very nice city with many large company's and jobs. Located on hwy 412 at the border of Arkansas. City is split down the middle with the border, so you can be an Okie or a Razorback.

My uncle (Myron Peters) was the librarian at John Brown University and my aunt Hulen taught business and typing classes at the high school there for years.  He died in 2009 and she in 2012 so haven't been back there since, although I still have a cousin in Siloam Springs that I keep in touch with.  She was a teacher too but retired at the end of the last school year.  The house where they lived was 1/4 mile from the Oklahoma border.  Small world, eh?

Dwayne

[one2.34me]

I really appreciate the invite Dick. I would love to move somewhere like that! Honestly, I just don't see my wife ever leaving the kids and grandkids behind in Ca. I can't blame her though, I can't even imagine myself being stuck somewhere with only me!

[dick1172762]

Siloam Springs is 15 miles from our house. It is the home of Marsh wheels and tires for circle track cars. But its no longer open as the owner died and no one has bought it. Very bad as their 13 x 7 mini stock wheels were perfect on a Pinto. Very nice city with many large company's and jobs. Located on hwy 412 at the border of Arkansas. City is split down the middle with the border, so you can be an Okie or a Razorback.

[dga57]

Jack! Here in NW Arkansas we have clear sky's, NO smog, NO smog check on our cars, great people, good doctors, many street rods, green grass and trees, cheap gas, and much more. If you want to see for yourself, come take a look and stay with us. Who knows, you might end up a Razorback.

I can endorse the truthfulness of Dick's description.  Used to spend some time in Siloam Springs which is not far from where he lives!

Dwayne

[Pintosopher]

Don't worry about leaving a void if you move. If you leave, there will be 5 ill eagle's to take your place. Jerry will see to it don't you know? BTW I have 10 trees in our yard.

10 trees?
" If you leaf me now, you take away the biggest part of me!" wooo noo baby please don't go!"

[dick1172762]

Don't worry about leaving a void if you move. If you leave, there will be 5 ill eagle's to take your place. Jerry will see to it don't you know? BTW I have 10 trees in our yard.

[one2.34me]

LOL! Thanks for being so kind Dick and Pintosopher! I was sitting here upset with myself because my post was so whiney and off topic. I'm thinking you're right Pintosopher. If every one who wanted to leave Ca. moved out, the country would buckle like a cheap paper plate! I'd love to get back there Dick. I flew over Arkansas once and it was beautiful. So many trees. PBS had me convinced there were only a few trees left in the entire country!

[Pintosopher]

Jack! Here in NW Arkansas we have clear sky's, NO smog, NO smog check on our cars, great people, good doctors, many street rods, green grass and trees, cheap gas, and much more. If you want to see for yourself, come take a look and stay with us. Who knows, you might end up a Razorback.

Jack,  if we all move to the Midwest, the country would list and capsize

[Pintosopher]

If you've seen Al Gore recently, He's eaten a lot of Bovine/ Pork to go with that BMI and tonnage

[dick1172762]

Jack! Here in NW Arkansas we have clear sky's, NO smog, NO smog check on our cars, great people, good doctors, many street rods, green grass and trees, cheap gas, and much more. If you want to see for yourself, come take a look and stay with us. Who knows, you might end up a Razorback.

[one2.34me]

  For old schoolers, motorheads, garage tinkering "engineers"and anyone who looks up when they hear a radial engine chugging along, the article below, IMO, doesn't offer a lot of good news. If Uncle Jerry and his peers, or their successors even allow internal combustion cars to be driven, they'll all be very collectable.
  It makes me glad I was around to experience the unfettered development of automobiles. My ears, eyes and nose are all thankful. Oddly enough, I'm thankful to have driven the 91 freeway westward in 1972 through San Bernardino and Riverside at dusk in my FE powered 1959 Galaxy Fairlane 500. Experiencing first hand, the atmospheric world of Soylent Green. Well, maybe my lungs aren't that thankful. Ecars would likely help in high density areas, like L.A./ O.C. where you can drive or ride from the beach to San Diego or Victorville, etc. in a 90+ mile traffic jam.
  I also see, among other things, that through the use of additional money saving robots, they'll be able to sell us our self driving, electrical SUVs, trucks and cars, at the same price or higher, even though they need fewer expensive tax paying, money spending, car buying people to build them.
  Let's all enjoy our internal combustion rides while we can. Eventually, driving one will be as traumatizing to the Al Gores of the world as ordering a Philly Cheesesteak at a vegan bistro.
Just kidding, kinda.


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ford-motor-ceo/ford-to-cut-costs-14-billion-invest-in-trucks-electric-cars-ceo-idUSKCN1C82NL

[Srt]

About the only (generally available) collectible car I can think of since 1973 is the Buick Grand National. And, it by the way is 30 years old now!  That said one never knows.  The big problem I see are there are so many plastic/rubber parts and intricate smog and electronic parts (applicable to smog laws) on modern cars that it would be a real pain to keep one legally on the street.

the early 70's buick skylarks with the gs455 stage 1 package were nice too

[dick1172762]

Looks like the boys of NASCAR got caught cheating again at the Dover race. I read AJ's book a while back and he talked about how teams cheat and get away with it. Said they cheat on a 100 or so things and when NASCAR tech finds 10 their really happy and pass the cars. I've been known to cheat a little in the past too. Not to win, but to not run in the back of the pack. I do have some pride you know. Only place I cheated on my 80 Pinto was wider wheels. A really long time ago.

[Wittsend]

I lived in San Gabriel, CA. from ages 10 thru 20 and frequently went to Irwindale (the old drag strip). I even road my bike out there once (it was about 14 miles - one way). And given the portion next to the dam with the trucks, speed etc. it was kind of challenging.


  They had the Winternational Warm Up's out there and I remember standing in front of Glidden's Pinto for what seemed like hours. I had this dream that he would see my "dedication" and ask me to crew for him. Of course that vision was quickly snapped when Melanie Vincz "Miss Valvoline" came over and actually started to help Bob.  Who could blame him. I was impressed that such a beauty would actually get her hands dirty.  I have no idea where Etta was???

[dick1172762]

BTW there is a great picture on MSM news of Ronnie Sox and Gas Ronda on the starting line at Irwindale. It will even allow you to copy it.

[dick1172762]

Just saw on the web where Irwindale Event Center drag strip and circle track is being shut down to build a new (are you ready for this?) shopping mall!!!! This is a way of life now. Of all the drag strips I raced on in the 60's and 70's around Dallas (there were 11 with in a 100 mile radius) There is not one of those 11 still around. This includes mom and pop tracks and big ones like Green Valley and Dallas International. Green Valley was so far out in the sticks, it was almost in a different time zone. And yet they say in the news that malls will be no longer used due to all the places on the web to mail order anything you want. Saylavie for sure!

[dick1172762]

I really don't think most collector car are ever going to be driven on city streets. Car shows maybe, but only big ones. We have had people in our club in the past that did not drive their Pintos. Why I don't know because the value of the car will take many years to rise if ever. Its true value is in the enjoyment you will get driving it around town. I had as much fun and enjoyment towing my race car Pintos thru towns as I did racing them. It was like a magnet at times. Much fun.

[Wittsend]

About the only (generally available) collectible car I can think of since 1973 is the Buick Grand National. And, it by the way is 30 years old now!  That said one never knows.  The big problem I see are there are so many plastic/rubber parts and intricate smog and electronic parts (applicable to smog laws) on modern cars that it would be a real pain to keep one legally on the street.

[dick1172762]

I can not see any of the cars built today by Ford ever being a collector car in the next 10 or 20 or 30 or 40 years. Mustang's will likely hang on, but nothing else. If you have a Pinto never sell or give it away. Hand it down to your kids as its value will only grow with the years. Put it up on blocks in your garage and smile as your time runs out that you have done your best to save a real classic.