Fox Sports and Fox TV ROCKS!

[953 nut 55,065]

I am a NASCAR fan, and like other sports fans had not been getting my regular fix. This past weekend FOX Sports aired an "Irace" (internet race) featuring NASCAR drivers at home racing a "Virtual" race at the Homestead FL track. Had some driver interviews and it was great!           

Right after the Homestead race FOX aired the 1986 Richmond VA spring race.      

It was so well received that they are going to do it every weekend until the on track racing returns.         

Hats off to FOX !            

[WHX?? 48,764]

Did they cancel all the races Richard? I don't follow it at all anymore since empty nesting. 

[953 nut 55,065]

All racing on track has been postponed until the all clear is given. Every series plans to run a full schedule of races and it could get a bit chaotic with more than one sanctioning body running a race at the same track on the same weekend.        True race fans will be in overload.

[ZXT 2,401]

I'll have to check that out! I'm not much of a fan of current Nascar (Due to the fact that the cars are less than interesting), but I certainly think I would've liked it back in the day when they were using real cars. I still think they ought to have to use production cars! Definitely had some cool cars come about because of that. 

[wfrpalm 218]

Right after the Homestead race FOX aired the 1986 Richmond VA spring race.

That was pretty cool, that reminded me of how good NASCAR used to be.

[Racinbob 11,040]

I couldn't agree more Richard. I was amazed how well done it was and my wife and I enjoyed it as well as getting a few laughs in. How can you not laugh at some of Clint Boyers antics. A tip of the hat to Nascar, Fox as well as to many other icons that are doing what they can to help everyone through this. We enjoyed the Garth and Trisha livecast last evening too. 

[Alex175 784]

I haven't watched NASCAR much in the last couple years, not for any one reason or another, it just sort of happened.  I was very surprised to hear about this being held, and then when Fox announced that they would show it, as well as have their regular commentators announcing the race I was excited.  This was something I think people needed more than they realized and I was really happy to see that after the event all the old school fans said wow that was cool, even though I thought the video game aspect would have turned them off.  And I was surprised to see a younger generation excited by it, even though I figured the NASCAR element would have turned them off to it.  In my opinion NASCAR and Fox hit a home run with this, and I am grateful they did it.  Even the comments section of YouTube on the recap video Fox did was positive, and the comments section on YouTube is almost never a good place to go 

[tom2p 2,394]

I attended a race at Richmond in the mid 80's  ... had a blast 

 

was a long time ago so don't recall much about the race - but I recall I was fairly impressed with Harry Gant (?) after the race ..  was not too familiar with him ... he did not win - but ran well and up front for good part of the race ... 

 

 

also went to Daytona a few times back in the day ... the racer I was not too familiar with that impressed the heck out of me on that super speedway was Buddy Baker ... at one Daytona race he was clearly one of the fastest (if not the fastest)

 

for a different (twisty) flavor - also saw NASCAR race at Watkins Glen ... prefer to watch open wheel (Indy / F1 ) on the road courses - but still a good time ...

 

Indy cars on the Mid Ohio course in the rain was neat 

 

Edited March 24, 2020 by tom2p

[953 nut 55,065]

1 hour ago, tom2p said:

I recall I was fairly impressed with Harry Gant

In the early '90s I was in the grandstands at New Smyrna Speedway on a NASCAR off weekend. Harry Gant sat down a couple feet away and he as such a gentleman. We had some great conversation and he is a true southern gentleman. 

7 hours ago, Alex175 said:

This was something I think people needed more than they realized and I was really happy to see that after the event all the old school fans said wow that was cool, even though I thought the video game aspect would have turned them off.  And I was surprised to see a younger generation excited by it,

Truer words were never spoken, we needed that. Wouldn't it be ironic if NASCAR gained younger fans as a result of our national shut-down.

[8ntruck 6,991]

I had a project going in Mendota, Il. Back isometime in the 80's.  Heard on the radio that there was going to be a special race at one of the local dirt tracks featuring Harry Gant.  Modified class, I think.

 

A couple of the local hot shoes were faster than Gant, so he did not win.  He was very very good at making his car very wide.  Nobody passed him.

 

The current NASCAR and Indy series have lost my interest because of the cookie cutter cars.  The rules do not allow the creativity seen in the past - the invasion of the mid engine Lotus cars at Indy in the 60's, the odd diesel powered Indy powered cars, the front drive Indy roadsters, and the STP turbine powered Indy cars to name a few.  In NASCAR there was the Chevy 427 mystery motor, the hemi, Ford's attempt to introduce the SHOC and DOHC engines, the Superbirds, Cyclones, Smokey Yunik's 7/8  scale Chevelle, and the special options that the big three automakers came up with to support the racing teams.  At least they are running 'Mustangs' and 'Camaros' now which do share rear drive with their production counterparts, unlike the recent 'Impalas'.

 

F1 still encourages development and creativity.  However, that series has become so advanced and expensive it is almost science fiction.  Fun to watch the car's change during the season, though.

[zigzag 125]

I don't follow NASCAR much anymore either but I did see this week's virtual race at North Wilksboro. That was pretty cool to see. Did anyone notice the Wheel Horse sign?

[953 nut 55,065]

3 hours ago, zigzag said:

Did anyone notice the Wheel Horse sign?

YES

 

[zigzag 125]

I saw it for a few seconds during the pre race but couldn't get a good look at it. Found that picture online this morning. I assume Elmore's was a dealer. Would be interesting to know their history and if they are still in operation.