Another guy who gets it. He hits all the points too.

[TorontoWorker]

http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=9105&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Some highlights:

"For the second straight year A.J. Foyt’s shenanigans provided the most interest on Bump Day. An increasingly irate and Texan was the story of the day, unleashing his own ‘colorful’ commentary to whoever may have actually been watching. Is that all that Indy has left to offer for the month of May? A marketing blitz on a female driver who hasn’t even completed her first season in top-level competition...a battered man making an impressive run in place of another battered man…and an irate Texan."

"Kenny Brack is indeed a worthy story. But it is a story unfortunately based yet again and founded upon driver injuries. Brack had previously been out of racing action for 19 months…he stepped into the car…and he drove the fastest lap of the month of May. Am I the only one who views that as odd? Gone for 19 months. Steps into the car. Fastest time of the month. Do not tell me, “He’s just that good.” "

"Some claim that the energy and buzz are starting to return to the Speedway. 15,000 was the reported Pole Day attendance this year. The Speedway never releases its attendance figures, so we can only guess. The energy is returning? I ask you to compare 15,000 to 200,000. Hold a single candle up next to a raging bon fire, and then get back to me about what real energy feels like. "

I think he about hit all the marks... :laugh:

[SteveH]

15,000 was the reported Pole Day attendance this year

Consider this, it is entirely possible that the total Champ Car attendance for the season so far (2 race weekends) exceeds the total IRL attendance (4 race weekends and the month of May so far). I realize that the Sunday attendance at Indy will blow away Champ Car's numbers however had Champ Car had the right 5 races by Sunday instead of 2, the difference mught not be all that much.

[G.]

Is it the TV package? No. It is not the TV package. Take into consideration the Tour de France. ABC used to cover the Tour de France extensively. I recall in the late 1980’s watching hours and hours of coverage, eagerly waiting to see if Greg LeMond would become champion. But now the majority of its coverage can be found on ‘OLN,’ the Outdoor Life Network. ABC still covers the Indy 500. Lance Armstrong is now a household name. Buddy Rice will never be.

[trauma1]

here's another one from nascar country , drills TG and EARL.

By STEVE HUMMER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/27/05
There is but one way the Indianapolis 500 can, for the moment, reclaim its leadership role in the Memorial weekend speedfest. A certain woman rookie starting in the second row had best stand on it.

One little gender breakthrough separates Indy from preeminence again. A Danica Patrick victory would captivate the world. Otherwise, NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 will continue its kudzu-like advance into the soul of this racing holiday; and here's a sampler as to why:

The TV doesn't lie

Last year's rain-shortened Indy took an 11 percent hit in television ratings. Can you say, "Next on the Oxygen Channel, The Indianapolis 500, starring Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan and Morgan Fairchild?"

Ever since network TV took over the Coca-Cola 600 broadcast in 2001, its ratings have eclipsed Indy's.

Who are they kidding?

One of the great Indianapolis 500 traditions is the pre-race rendition of "Back Home Again In Indiana," sung by Jim Nabors.

But everybody knows that Gomer Pyle has to be a NASCAR fan.

The sound effect

An open-wheel Indy car in full flight sounds like a million hornets swarming out of a Starbucks. Only dogs and dolphins can fully appreciate the upper register of this race.

The start of the 600 is an arrhythmia-inducing roar that appeals to the James Dean in everyone.

Leadership

The president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tony George, initiated a costly divorce in open-wheel racing, from which it has never really recovered.

The France family and Bruton Smith are the two most powerful, and sometimes fractious, factions in NASCAR. But they are gagging on so much money that they find it impossible to raise their voices in public.

The Humpy factor

Indy offers some first-class entertainment to kill the time before the race. 3 Doors Down will be playing Sunday, and the kids say that's OK.

Lowe's Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler once had the idea for a pre-race spectacle with the working title "Man vs. Shark — One Must Die." It never materialized. But for sure in his show, something's going to blow up. And how can you beat that?

Talent drain

Jeff Gordon grew up in the shadow of the Brickyard. Tony Stewart was the Indy Racing League's champion in 1997. None of that was enough to keep them out of a stock car. Nothing short of handcuffs will put the next American star in an open cockpit.

Really, how you gonna keep them down on the farm once they've seen the Talladega infield? NASCAR owns the U.S. rights to fame.

Provincialism

We give you the fourth row of the Indianapolis 500: Tomas Enge; Tomas Scheckter; Bruno Junqueira. Atlas, anyone?

Americans don't buy American, except when shopping for a racin' idol. They're not even sure about that Jimmie Johnson — he does spell his first name a little funny.

Desperation

Earlier, in a vain attempt to grab attention and create a photo op, the entire Indy 500 field lined itself in the heart of Manhattan. Just what that place needed, more traffic.

NASCAR goes to New York after the season to pass out awards, congratulate itself on another long, successful season and maybe see a play. They take limos like all the other millionaires.

Red state appeal

Retiring Indiana Pacer Reggie Miller will be the honorary starter for the Indianapolis 500. A nice, apolitical choice.

Senate majority leader Bill Frist is scheduled to serve in that role for the Coca-Cola 600. They will turn right in NASCAR, so long as that remains the popular direction.

Losing ground at home

The Indianapolis 500 may not even be the biggest race on its own track. They let the NASCAR barbarians storm the gates in 1994, and since then the Brickyard (now Allstate) 400 is arguably a better draw than Sunday's race.

Or maybe not so arguably. Listen to what Stewart once said: "I think [the Allstate 400] is bigger than the Indianapolis 500 is now. The Speedway just won't admit it."

Lactose intolerance

At the Indy 500, the winner chugs milk.

At the Coca-Cola 600, the biggest star of them all, Dale Earnhardt Jr., drives a racecar dressed up like a beer can. Who would you rather party with?

[racer2c]

Yuck. More NASCAR gloating. :thumdown:

[Andrew Longman]

"But everybody knows that Gomer Pyle has to be a NASCAR fan."

Rich :rofl:

[dando]

Gag on the 2nd article. This guy was prolly chuckin' beer cans @ Gordon in Tallydega. :thumdown:

-Kevin

[tllips]

I remember Brian Erickson (Author of the paddocktalk article) from my days lurking on Usenet. Up until I found 7th Gear, RASI was where I got all my news and he was one of the most frequent posters especially around the split.

[Andrew Longman]

You may not like the second article but what part of it is not true?

He's describing America and that America that likes NASCAR.

Indy-style racing had its rednecks, but other than AJ Foyt, who's left?

Not that I'm complaining mind you.

[racer2c]

You may not like the second article but what part of it is not true?

He's describing America and that America that likes NASCAR.

Indy-style racing had its rednecks, but other than AJ Foyt, who's left?

Not that I'm complaining mind you.

Who said it wasn't true? It's just another NASCAR shill gloating that his 'sport' is the best.

[FanofMario]

"The sound effect

An open-wheel Indy car in full flight sounds like a million hornets swarming out of a Starbucks. Only dogs and dolphins can fully appreciate the upper register of this race.

The start of the 600 is an arrhythmia-inducing roar that appeals to the James Dean in everyone."

Agreed that the beefarter engines are terrible, but the turbo's sure were sweet at Indy. NASCAR's sound to me is as lame as a Northfolk & Western freight train. :rolleyes:

Other than saying TG was the genuis who engineered the split, this is another gloating NASCAR article.

[TRDfan]

I remember Brian Ericson (Author of the paddocktalk article) from my days lurking on Usenet. Up until I found 7th Gear, RASI was where I got all my news and he was one of the most frequent posters especially around the split.

If you're in Milwaukee next weekend, you'll find Brian in turn 3. For those that remember, his car celebrated Paul Tracy's Indy 500 win three years ago.