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February 21, 2007
Not Fontana, again:
By Keith Ott
Ah, Fontana. Where turning left and going in circles is as much a political agenda as it is a racing format. But, there are many things Fontana has to offer. Great seating (since many will be empty); A chance for some indoor Mall shopping (30,000 took advantage of the sales one year); Stargazing may come into play as they pretend to be fans while hawking their latest projects…etc. etc. Just as long as you didn’t come to see memorable racing, Fontana has you covered. It’s an insomniacs dream…If you can’t nap watching Fontana you need to see a doctor. The cars string out like pearls on a fat woman’s neck. It’s like watching practice laps. If one place needs phantom “Debris” cautions this is it.
Come on, NASCAR, get those yahtzee die and roll for debris cautions. Give me something to make 60 inches of HDTV seem like an investment and not Chinese water torture. Heck, the networks can even overdo a graphic of the die rolling and I won’t complain…They can even explain if the die was loose or tight and I’ll still be happy. But, this here is the clincher. I will “Crank it up” for every dang “Boogity” if only you will work with me here.
Prove me wrong, Fontana, and I’ll repent. Otherwise, come September, I’ll be asking what moron decided I needed 2 extra naps per year.
Your thoughts?
February 21, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
I bet the seats won't be filled either Keith. I also think this will be a snoozer UNLESS tire compound changes have an effect on whether or not two grooves will come into play. But alas, even if two grooves emerge there won't be any passing because of the aero dependency (see David Green's piece about symmetry for specifics). I am banking my nap hours at home this week and cashing them in on Sunday afternoon!!!
Posted by: Mark | Feb 21, 2007 10:52:45 AM
As soon as I saw the title "Fontana again," I KNEW it was ol' Keith out there ready to give the needle to us racing-deprived left coasters. Last year we had one OK race (February) and one pretty good one (the one that should be in Darlington.) We'll see what happens this time around.
Most interesting right now is waiting to see the entry list. Daytona had 61 - who will try to make the show in California?
I am also interested (changing topics) if anyone other than me tried out the DirectTV package with single-car coverage channels. I did, and will cancel it in a day or two. And since I'm throwing in unrelated topics, I hope to be in North Carolina in May and want to visit race shops. I welcome any feedback as to which ones are worth it and which ones to skip.
Posted by: Doug | Feb 21, 2007 11:21:18 AM
Fontana ranks only slightly higher in excitement than Loudon and Phoenix. It's the same as Mich, KC and Chi. At least they fixed Las Vegas, the jury is still out.
Posted by: fan | Feb 21, 2007 11:57:08 AM
This guy has an interesting solution. Don't know if it would work but it may help the ZZZZZ.
http://onelugnutshort.blogspot.com/2007/02/california-dreamin-or-california.html
Posted by: Bill | Feb 21, 2007 12:04:08 PM
I am rather fond of Phoenix. Michigan can be boring but when it is the only chance you get to go to a race you can't complain I guess.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 21, 2007 12:04:15 PM
This race comes around way to soon!Anyone who thinks this race will be exciting is an optimist.
Doug,try laidbackracing.com for some really good info on the area.
Posted by: Short Lady | Feb 21, 2007 12:06:32 PM
Luckily I work for the minnesota dot, and they are predicting a big snow storm for the weekend. Hopefully, I'll be plowing snow on Sunday afternoon.
Posted by: joe | Feb 21, 2007 12:29:43 PM
Keith, you didn't let me down. I had a feeling you'd bring up what a disappointment Fontana has been over the years.
Brant James wrote this in the St. Pete Times today:
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Ready-made storyline
Kevin Harvick, from Bakersfield, is the third consecutive Californian to win the Daytona 500. He follows Jimmie Johnson (El Cajon) and Jeff Gordon (Vallejo) in 2005.
This week's race site: Fontana, Calif. Maybe the west-siders are trying hard to impress the folks back home. Apparently it's not working.
Ticket sales are behind the pace of last spring's Nextel Cup race there, which was marked by embarrassingly empty grandstands and the explanation of track president Gillian Zucker that fans were in the midway "shopping." The fall race was better-attended.
As of Monday afternoon, though, several 20-seat blocks were available around the 92,000-capacity facility.
--------
Darlington lost a race to all those devoted fans in Fontana, California. Too bad none of them can afford to attend the race and watch their hometown heros in person.
Excellent piece, Keith. If only someone with the last name "France" would take it seriously.
Posted by: Shirley | Feb 21, 2007 12:47:12 PM
Oh joy!!! Cali-snoria here we come! Take a date away from the HEART of NASCAR; on a track that's "Too Tough to Tame" and give the date to a track that is "So Boring, It's Lame?" I know that NASCAR wanted to expand and get more fans but Fontana? Gimme a break! I think I'll be flipping channels to look for either the PDN (Paint Drying Network) or GGC (Grass Growing Channel). Hey NASCAR - give us back Rockingham or somewhere that's not quite so boring. The SOUTHERN 500 should have stayed SOUTHERN! dagnabit!
Posted by: HMS_Fan | Feb 21, 2007 2:18:52 PM
Doug,
Since it was just my opinion and general, and you are my Fontana expert, you get a bye...and I accept your topics
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 2:29:55 PM
Bill,
I read it and...no! While I'd like the Daytona Twins to have more clout, I don't see qualifiers at NASCAR's top level. These drivers are already acknowledged as the "Best of the Best" drivers. And, fans pay good bucks to see the best race continuously...Bill, get that big puffy pillow handy.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 2:45:50 PM
Short,
From way down in Shirleyland Fla. to as west as you can go is a big jump. I would put any track that had excitement before Fontana just to keep the new season momentum going...ANY TRACK!
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 2:51:59 PM
in CA, NASCAR stands for Napping As Some Cars Are Running
Posted by: Penny | Feb 21, 2007 2:53:23 PM
Shirley,
I changed my last name to France but they still don't listen and I barely got away with my Visa after France overcharged fan support on it...
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 2:55:42 PM
Penny,
I think we're bonding...
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 2:56:57 PM
HMS,
They have a "Grass Growing Network?" HDTV? "The Rock," Love it and always will except for the climb to the seats.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 3:02:02 PM
Keith, you will never learn, will you? Can you at least get some decent seats? There should be some kind of perk having the last name France.
I know, it's free "French" fries at McD's! (And that's a good thing!)
Posted by: Shirley | Feb 21, 2007 3:02:23 PM
The best thing about going to Fontana is that Turn 3 has lots of room to stretch out and catch some rays!!!!
Posted by: Mark | Feb 21, 2007 3:20:25 PM
Shirley,
NASCAR's over-priced my limits. Tracks used to garner their revenues by people coming to them...Then TV made their revenues soar so they charged more to go there because of TV. Now we (real fans) can't afford to go and empty seats will make TV revenue decline...catch 22 but not my problem. Busch is the best value for the dollar.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 3:27:21 PM
Mark,
LOL, don't forget the sunscreen for the head!
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 3:29:01 PM
SPF 30 for this shaved melon Chief!! Damn glad to have ya back bud....
Posted by: Mark | Feb 21, 2007 3:40:22 PM
Joe,
Well, you be safe keeping motorists safe. And, I, being from Buffalo(Tonawanda)NY, appreciate your task. You won't plow fast enough for everyone but that one accident avoided or that one person faster to the hospital, because of your effort, is your validation.
PS - If you have a CabCam it might be better than the race!
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 3:41:07 PM
LOL Mark rays in turn #3. I hope you didn't get stuck behind the billboards in the shade.
For the most part last weeks Daytona looked a little like Fontana. It wasn't until about the last forty laps things got interesting. Same thing could happen this week. As much has I'm not a big fan of Fontana the last couple of races have improved. But hey have a wreck at the finish and all will be well. Hey Nascar script change!
Posted by: CalifCarl | Feb 21, 2007 3:42:44 PM
Mark,
I think Bob Henry uses a 40...Or, maybe that's how far into the woods his tee shot goes.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 3:44:59 PM
Cali,
I disagree. While Daytona didn't look like the past (2 Wide Forever)it looked like close single file racing. There were passes and close racing. California seldom sees that except on restarts. We both hope for improvement...And another Harvick win...LOL
Posted by: Keith | Feb 21, 2007 3:52:46 PM
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