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March 12, 2007
King Of The Mountain; Bruton Smith
By Mark Young
We heard all of the predictions this weekend about how the newly configured track in Las Vegas was going to be terrible. Drivers like Tony Stewart were very vocal about how the track never should have been changed. People in the media, this blogger included, predicted a single-groove parade of cars around the bottom of the track. Well unless I watched a different race yesterday we were all proved wrong. I saw three-wide racing and lots of passing yesterday and taking that into consideration I have decided to make Speedway Motorsports CEO Bruton Smith my King Of The Mountain.
This is a little out of character for me because I have been very critical of Speedway Motorsports for several years because of the games that were played by purchasing North Wilkesboro and Rockingham with the sole intentions of closing them both down in order to get additional dates on other tracks that they own. HOWEVER, the race that we saw yesterday was three times better than the action we have seen in prior years at Las Vegas. Bruton Smith and his company made a bold decision to demolish the track and every building in the infield with the intentions of rebuilding the entire facility. They narrowed the track, moved pit road closer to the stands, and nearly doubled the banking. Tire tests showed that this track was fast and then there were comments that it was too fast and that tires might be an issue reminiscent of Lowe's Motor-speedway. Think back to 1998 and the first race after Bruton's group reconfigured the Atlanta Motor-speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole (on Hoosier Tires I believe) at a whopping 197 mph bringing out calls for restrictor plates or anything to slow the cars down. That race was a single-groove parade but look at that track now. We have seen more side-by-side finishes and multi-groove action than almost any other track on the circuit. Vegas had multiple grooves during it's first race!!
Sure I could have chosen Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin to be King this week but I just figured Bruton Smith deserved it for making a gutsy decision to remodel a very nice track and trust the designers and consultants who turned it into a very special place.
That's what I think, what say you?
March 12, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
I think this track will be great in years to come and would have been great on Sunday if it wasn't for the tires. If the tires are too soft for the track then that's what the small fuel cells should be used for. If NASCAR created a 13 gallon fuel cell, Goodyear should have made a tire that lasted slightly longer than that shortened fuel run, they didn't need to create a rock-hard tire that could run 400 miles with no wear. And just for clarification the first race on the reconfigured track was in 1997 and Hoosier tires were long gone from NASCAR (they last ran in 1994).
Posted by: stricklinfan82 | Mar 12, 2007 11:42:54 AM
I stand very much corrected on both of those facts Stricklin fan. Thank you. could have sworn that it was on Hoosiers though. Damn I am getting old.
Posted by: Mark | Mar 12, 2007 12:23:36 PM
What? The racing at Vegas was not better than what we've seen there before. "Vegas had multiple grooves." So where was the sustained side by side racing? Bruton's decision wasn't gutsy at all; it's in keeping with his penchant for rash moves.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Mar 12, 2007 12:48:16 PM
Mark,
Bruton is an excellent choice...I think the track showed potential.
NASCAR and GoodYear will never get KOTM as long as they influence the event.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 12, 2007 12:57:08 PM
Daly the only time you will see sustained side by side is during your coveted plate races.
Kieth I can't wait for this track to get seasoned.
Posted by: Mark | Mar 12, 2007 12:59:43 PM
I feel asleep during this race. The Fox crew bored me to sleep. Track itself will be more exciting next year or two, but I wasn't looking for anything other than a wreckfest. Boring.
Posted by: WBinCC | Mar 12, 2007 1:59:05 PM
Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Homestead, Kansas, Vegas. They all take different set-ups and drive different, but, the racing looks the same at them all. Cheeseburgers are great, but, chicken, steak, pizza, and fish are good too. Why do we need 90% cheeseburger(1 1/2 mile clones) and not more other stuff. Oh yeah more seats more $$$. Don't dislike these races, but, need some variety.
Posted by: Scott | Mar 12, 2007 2:39:19 PM
Mark, Bruton Smith is a very good choice. As David Green's lastest blog states, people aren't "satisfied," and Bruton certainly was not satisfied with Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Not only did he spend mega amounts of cash, but also took one heck of a chance that everything he rebuilt would be accepted by fans and competitors. Too bad the competitors only had some unproductive test sessions as their first encounter with the "new and improved" LVMS.
I also have a hard time giving Bruton Smith any compliments after what he did to two of my favorite tracks. But I'm not happy with a lot of International Speedway Corporations decisions either, especially Darlington loosing the Southern 500 to Fontana.
I heard someone say that Bruton Smith was the happiest when he was either "buying or building." Wonder where his next project will be.
It seems he always has the fans interest in mind. But if a ticket to the Neon Garage was really $1500, this fan won't be going any time soon.
Hopefully someone will let the folks at Sports Center know that his name is BRUton Smith, not BURton Smith. If they are going to broadcast NASCAR events, at least they can get the name of one of the owners correct.
If you gave Bruton KOTM, why do I think I know who might need to "just shut up!"
Well done, Mark!
Posted by: Shirley | Mar 12, 2007 2:50:46 PM
Shiley, ae we thinking the same person to "JSU". LOL
Mark, great choice, we saw lots of racing at Vegas both Sat, and Sunday.
It was an exciting race, and look forward to Goodyear using a good tire, and Nascar bring next year the COT
Posted by: Trucker | Mar 12, 2007 4:10:17 PM
Scott,
I'm with you. I call it vanilla racing.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 12, 2007 4:24:25 PM
Mark, exactly, so plate these other races.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Mar 12, 2007 4:29:34 PM
Mike Daly,
STFU about plating all the races, ugh! You make no sense sometimes. A race needs passing. Side by side the whole distance doesn't necessarily make a good race. Two or more grooves and the ability to use them makes good racing.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 12, 2007 4:36:24 PM
I second that Keith. The sky ain't falling no matter how many times you say it is. The Owners are not going to get behind running plates at every track. 1/4 of the field of cars are destroyed at every plate track. A cup car is worth what $400,000 these days. So an owner can count on destroying 10 to 15 cars a year under Daly's rules package. I'm sure lots of people would sign to own a Nascar team with those odds and expenses.
Posted by: Michael | Mar 12, 2007 4:51:59 PM
Keith, don't you tell me anything. You're the one not making sense. Sidedrafting for the lead the whole distance ALWAYS means a good race; two or more grooves mean nothing if the cars aren't fighting for the win.
Michael, so what if the owners don't "get behind" it? They're not guaranteed destroying ten to 15 cars a year (as it is they destroy that many anyway); what they'll get is superior racing, attendence, and ratings and the revenue generated will make it all worthwhile.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Mar 12, 2007 6:00:42 PM
Mike Daly,
STFU I feel more stupid everytime I read your crap.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 12, 2007 6:10:04 PM
Scott,
I agree; we need more variety. Personally, and despite the fact I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying this (especially by Daly I'm sure), I'd like to see more road course events. I love road racing. I also like short track racing. Let's get more of both on the schedule and cut-back on some of this mile-and-a-half sameness.
As for Vegas... I'm glad there were multiple grooves this weekend. I, like several others, wish they had a softer tire. The races this weekend were just crashfests (and usually just one car spinning out all by themselves). Those tires also really amplified the aero-loose these fast 1.5 mile tracks already have too much of.
Here's hoping the COT and a more sensible tire will make these tracks more fun.
And, the plates need to go. We sure as heck don't need any more plate races when we already have four too many.
Posted by: Matt Durell | Mar 12, 2007 7:05:27 PM
Mike and Keith, you've done it! You've come up with a way to get rid of the chase! Run the first 35 races. Then eliminate all but the top 35 and bring them to Talladega for the Alabama 2,000: 751 laps of side-by-side racing for the Cup of the Month!
To spice it up, watch the old movie "Rollerball" (I didn't see the new version) for inspiration: eliminate yellow flags; for the last 200 laps, eliminate speed limits on pit road; for the last 100 laps, the spotters are sent home; for the last 50 laps, the drivers have to take off their helmets; teams are allowed a "gas only" pit stop in the final 10 laps, but the gasman has to go out to the apron of the track to fill the car.
Sounds exciting, doesn't it?
Posted by: Doug | Mar 12, 2007 7:06:01 PM
How about the owner of your team has to drive a fuel car and gas you up as you race. Can Mrs. Earnhardt drive?
Posted by: jeff | Mar 12, 2007 8:57:45 PM
Mark, good call on KOTM - simply 'cause he was willing to try to change a track whose races made Fontana look like Bristol.
Fking boring. (sorry - no other way to put it.)
HOWEVER - the actual racing was NO DIFFERENT than what's been going on there for the last 10 years. The only change was the excitement provided by the Eagles in their "how many ways can we slam the wall-fest."
What BS has succeeded in doing is now creating 4 identical shaped tracks. I don't know what else he could have done with it, but when you spend that much fking money on a project...try something new, perhaps?
Racing at Vegas has always been about piss poor handling, or cars that ran right on the edge of out of control, and if you get out front you run the hell away from everybody. Nothing's changed.
Posted by: the6and9 | Mar 13, 2007 12:36:50 AM
Jeff, I don't know about your idea. It seems a bit dangerous...
Posted by: Doug | Mar 13, 2007 1:09:56 AM
STFU Mike Daly? That is the most intelligent post I've ever seen with his name attached! Where do we all get our Mikee Dalee Fan Club gear? Restrictor plates at all the tracks would turn races into parades. It isn't going to happen Mike. Time to face that fact and move on, hopefully back to the asylum from which you escaped.
To save everyone some time I'll sum up all Daly's stupid ideas before he posts again. Restrictor plates at all the tracks, wider tires, more down force, race to the yellow and nothing new to say. Yawn. That about covers it. That's all Mike ever has to say.
Posted by: ron | Mar 13, 2007 3:41:00 AM
Ron, it's called telling the truth. How about accepting it? Restrictor plates at al,l the tracks will mean more passing, more side by side racing, and slower, safer speeds.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Mar 13, 2007 11:42:18 AM
I saw a plate race at TMS 2 years ago on a late model series...BOOOOOORRRRRING. I'm sure the plates would be different, and the Cup cars faster, but...Jesus Christ - you have no idea how long it takes a restricted car to complete a 1.5
I think Vegass would have been the best "premiere" for the COT.
(why Bristol?)
Posted by: the6and9 | Mar 13, 2007 11:47:12 AM
6and9,
I was thinking that also...A good Aero package at Bristol means you still have one fender on. Vegas couldn't be the debut because it was uncertain how the track and tires would perform. Atlanta would have been my choice.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 13, 2007 12:11:19 PM
Mike Daly, Did you just squeek something out again? YAWN. Oh Yeah, something about restrictor plates wasn't it? I'll bet THAT was a surprise to everyone. Zzzzz.
Posted by: ron | Mar 13, 2007 12:31:19 PM
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