5 Reasons why F1 Fans should try watching a NASCAR Race

Updated: 29 Nov 2024

Alright, don’t get me wrong, I’m not an F1 hater, or anything of the sort, but I made the switch back in 2007 from F1 to NASCAR, and honestly, I couldn’t see myself watching another GP anytime soon… Or so I thought, but the Australian GP actually had me sitting there enjoying the race!

So that got me thinking, if I can give F1 another chance, and rightly so; surely F1 Fans can try watching a NASCAR race in full.
Who knows, some of you may enjoy it, some of you may become fans.

1. Bigger Grids

This year the grid has been reduced in size, with only 40 cars able to start a race, instead of the previous 43, but that’s still a fair few more than F1 these days. More cars on track tends to see more action (especially on the shorter tracks) and I’m not just talking about crashes either, which leads me on to point number 2.

2. More overtaking

Overtaking is a part of racing, so who wouldn’t want to see more passes on the track?! (Unless it’s your least favorite driver, passing your favorite driver). Superspeedways, like Daytona and Talladega, can see several lead changes in one lap, but even on shorter 1.5 mile tracks there are battles taking place all over the track.

3. The races are LOOOONGG

Some might say this is a bad point, because people can get restless. But as long as the racing is good, then the longer it goes on for, the better. Obviously, some races can be a bit dull, but that’s ok, because usually that means the field has spread out, and the laps are counting down faster, to the next inevitable caution, where they’ll be bunched back up

4. It's old fashioned, but in a good way!

When I say ‘old fashioned’ I don’t mean they’re still driving cars from the 1950’s each week.
They’re old fashioned compared to things like F1, DTM, V8SC etc. The cars are heavy machines, with no assists, minimal data tracking that the team have to use, there’s not even a fuel gauge in the cars.
All this, plus the new ‘low downforce’ package this year, means that the cars slide around the track, bounce off each other, and are always on the very limit of control.

5. The finishes are close

So far this year, two of the five races this year have given us amazing photo finishes! That trend looks set to continue next week too, as Martinsville, a 0.5 mile short track, always produces dashes to the checkered flag.

So, there we go. I hope that something on this list made you want to try watching a race.
For those that do, here’s the race from Phoenix a few weeks ago, that produced one of the photo finishes I talked of.

Comments

nascar cars have engines with carburetors(only the sprint cup cars have engines with electronic injection)

The crashes

I’ve set myself a reminder. Going to enjoy this race tonight and let you know!

Ps that national anthem got murdered

Don’t think they’re racing tonight as it’s Easter weekend. Next race is next week.

6.) It’s harder than it looks. For those that cry out “ovals are boring” or “they drive in circles all day”, I dare you to actually try one. Racing sim, go to a race and ride along (yes, some teams do that!), or even try the Richard Petty Driving Experience (like my Dad did a few years back) where they let you drive one. Ovals are some tricky business, man. They’re banked and you take them at incredible speeds, making setup, pit strategy, and drafting important concepts. Of course, this is while having the grille of the guy behind you dominating your rearview - these guys are inches apart the whole while.

It definitely is. Doesn’t affect viewing experience though. At least for me it doesn’t…

Sorry But I had to do this.
5 Reasons why you should stay away from Nascar

1.90% of Tracks are ovals
2.They cry when there´s a bit rain
3.The Cars are by performance close to equal (so no exciting Changes during Season caused by innovations)
4.Yes there are more Overtakes but they are far less awesome (this goes together with oval tracks) because overtaking is just caused by drafting (and much bigger grid) Not by taking huge risks (Breaking extremely late, turning hard etc.).
5.The tracks are only located in the US ,so there´s next to no cultural changes from Race to Race

Don´t get me wrong I do respect your opinion , but that´s just my point of view.
And even know the F1 has a crisis right now it´s stil King of Motorsport, and no one (especially not an oval based series) will take it´s crown away.

Well can’t disagree, NASCAR Fans have been begging for more road courses for years. Road America, Mid Ohio, Portland, Montreal, and Mosport to name a few.
2001 NASCAR All Star Race Start. Look it up.
Many things happen in the engine department that cause little changes each week. Such as, last year the Toyota TRD Engines had more power, but sucked on fuel economy, causing many losses and a restriction of power. (From jayski)
Same thing NASCAR fans have been asking, although NASCAR did go to Australia and Japan in the 1990’s, many fans are begging for the same thing to be repeated.
To answer number 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHhrk9VCVfM

1, Very true

See Montreal 2008 - They raced in the rain
That’s the point, I don’t want to see someone throw money at a sport and get easy wins.
See any Watkins Glen/Sonoma race, or Martinsville, and you’ll see that’s wrong.
They race in Canada, and used to race in Mexico.