There’s a quote out there, that goes something along the lines of “There are three types of people in the world who tell the truth: kids, drunk people and anyone who is pissed the **** off.” Judging by Clint Bowyer’s explosive rant after his Daytona 500 qualification run turned into a demolition derby, we’re pretty sure that he falls into Category 3.
Qualifying for the Daytona 500 isn’t as simple as taking a solo run on the track, laying down a lap time and praying that you are the fastest. Instead, the field of drivers are broken up into two random groups and go out for Run #1, where they get five minutes of track time to post a hot lap. The fastest 24 cars from Run #1 move on to Run #2, where, in defending order, they go for a second round of five minutes’ worth of driving to post another hot lap time. The fastest twelve drivers from Run #2 move on to Run #3, where by now dèjá vu is setting in as it’s another five minutes of driving for fastest lap times. Sound complicated? It is, and it’s absolutely loathed by the drivers, not only for the “dog-and-pony-show” aspect of it all, but because instead of rewarding the fastest car/driver combination on their own, the usual winner of this combination is the person who spent their time in the rear of the field drafting off of everybody else, which now turns a confusing and irritating qualification session into a gaggle of guys fighting to be the back guy in a draft.
Bowyer was running hard behind Reed Sorenson, who was slower due to body damage, when things pretty much went down the tubes in the form of a wreck that collected up Denny Hamlin, Bobby Labonte and J.J. Yeley. When interviewed, the frustration that had been building up inside of Bowyer came out like the Johnstown Flood.
All things considered, I’d say he was rather calm. Certainly upset, and understandably so. I think he’s right about the situation, too. NASCAR is trying to milk Daytona for everything they can get out of it, for the sake of the ‘show’.
The blame is squarely on Brian France. It is nothing more than a production company putting on a SHOW. It has not been RACING in a long time. Haven’t watched any of it in a long time and it’s sad reading about what is happening now. Keeps getting worse. NHRA not far behind them.
What you have to realize is that this needs to be entertainment. Nascar’s Good Old Days are long gone even though I loved the 60’s. you have to admit that we are now interested enough in Qualifying to be talking about it. Used to be we didn’t watch even we were at the track.
I liked the old way better. It was even more suspenseful, waiting ’til each car ran, to find out who had the pole without the danger of what happened to Clint. Sure it could be a long affair but it’s damn sure less boring that baseball, which to me is as exciting as watching tv golf or bowling…my opinion, not a fact 🙂 and yes I agree that nascar is past it prime
Like Clint said, it’s just stupid.
Better than watching 60 cars ride wide open around the track one at a time.
NASCAR is still around?
They need to give them 15 min and take a consecutive 4 lap average. The extra 20 min would unfortunately mean we would hear 20 min less of Darrel and Mike. Oh wait that would be a good thing
WWE of motorsport?
Another clown show like NHRA. I used to be in Daytona for speedweeks and for the 500. Heck I even built a house in Palm Coast so I could come down and take it all in in February and back in July. I signed the house over to my ex wife and I wont waste my time watching any NASCAR on TV. A ruined sport. When the moniker was changed from North American Stock Car Auto Racing to National Association Stock Car Auto Racing it went down hill. Thanks a lot Brian France. Idiot.
That must have been the first year. I’ve never heard it called anything but National Association…..
When was the last time you heard the National Anthem sang for QUALIFYING? That says everything about the whole deal, just a big lame dog and pony show. Daytona should be single car runs, or at most 5-6 car groups like ARCA did.
There are racers and there are promoters, and the two are always far apart and always will be.
He wasn’t alone. Most of the driver’s interviewed after the first session said they either don’t understand, or just plain hate it, though in a much more PC version.
I can understand why Nascar wants a bit more excitement in qualifying. Single car runs takes near four hours and 10 people show up to watch it.
Yea, and they probably had 15 or maybe 17 for that disaster they just passed off as qualifying.
The new qualification setup also has something to do with Fantasy NASCAR. After Sr. died the effect made NASCAR look at their safety standards. This new qualification wreaks of less safety for the drivers and more pocketed money. They are also trying to give the fastest loser a chance. Basically giving a “thank you for participating ribbon” to the winner. I think Clint Bowyer and the rest of the drivers, crew chiefs, crew members, and families should sue NASCAR for basically killing racing and making money off their wrecks. This is the reason I quit watching. Just like football and many other sports, nowadays, are worthless to watch because there is WAY too much control and WAY too much money being pocketed all in the name of safety
when i wanna watch sh¡t go around in a circular motion i flush the damned toilet. if i watch anything its dragracing, but thats seldom. if i am at the track, i am in a car on the track. the course that one races on is irrelevant at the end of the day; piss off the racers and you have nothing to promote to spectators. i realize there are those who can only spectate, and i very much appreciate their support. enjoy it for what it is. dont let this be lost on you though-participants arent doing it for you, they’re doing it because they want to. when promoters bow to the bleachers at the cost of the racers, the day will come when there is nothing of the three left.
All the drivers should show up for the race, wave to the people in the stands, get in their cars and drive back to the haulers.
I that happened to me I would pack up and go home.