Don’t give in to the temptation that may arise with how well the Daytona 500 drew in the ratings for a Monday night.
The racing at the Daytona 500 was wild and exciting, but it should only happen on Mondays in cases of a rainout, like this was.Just say no, NASCAR.
Don’t give in to the temptation that may arise with how well the Daytona 500 drew in the ratings for a Monday night. Don’t ever consider running future events in that time slot unless, like the 500, it is a makeup for a rained-out date.
Pay no attention to the Nielsens. Pay attention to the fans who have to make a potentially costly decision when races are pushed back due to weather.
I can only imagine how many folks had to head home late Sunday or early Monday instead of being able to watch the race they probably spent months saving up and planning to see. Rescheduling flights and extending hotel reservations is not easy.
Some people had timeshares in Daytona booked years in advance, and they were now stuck with having them during the week of the Budweiser Shootout - a race that doesn’t count.
The racing in the 500 was great, and the audience was huge - despite or maybe even because of the strange circumstances surrounding the jet-dryer fire.
But NASCAR’s biggest event should remain on a Sunday afternoon. I’m not as hung up on the actual date as others are. Many were irate that the 500 was moved back a week because NASCAR was worried that the NFL lockout would force the Super Bowl to be played deep into February.
The only reason I sympathize with them is that, with that Monday being President’s Day, most would have been able to stay for a Monday race. In many parts of the country, including ours, the Daytona 500 fell during the beginning of school vacation. Now, it’s at the tail end.
When it comes to NASCAR, I’m a fan of tradition. The Daytona 500 should start at 1 p.m. (preferably earlier, but that won’t happen) on the day before President’s Day, unless Mother Nature dictates otherwise.
It’s the only tradition they can still keep. Unocal 76 isn’t going back to being the official fuel of NASCAR anymore, and the series certainly will never be sponsored by a cigarette maker.
However, I beg Brian France and others in power at NASCAR to stay away from the urge to call Hank Williams Jr. to write “Are You Ready for Some NASCAR?”
IN CONTROL: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Justin Bonsignore bested the competition Saturday in a charity remote-control car race involving drivers connected to New England Auto Racers Hall of Famer Mario Fiore.
Bonsignore triumphed over Fiore and former No.¤44 drivers Reggie Ruggiero, Mike Stefanik and Rick Fuller at the “Occupy the Oval” event at R/C Madness in Enfield, Conn. Each competitor raced a remote-control model of whatever No.44 car he drove for Fiore, while Bonsignore piloted his current No.51 Tour machine.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the family of Jason Trinca, an aspiring young racer who was killed in a car crash along with his mother.
GOING INSIDE: Some of the top racers in the Northeast will compete this weekend in the “Coffee Cup” indoor Three-Quarter Midget races at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I.
Ted Christopher captured last year’s event, and he should be in contention again for the $2,000 grand prize. This year, Sunday’s “Coffee Cup” is a 100-lapper for the first time, with a halfway break for teams to adjust on their cars.
The event also gives younger racers a chance by fielding a Champ Karts division, which will compete Saturday.
GETTING CLOSER: Believe it or not, we’re actually less than a month away from the start of some outdoor racing in southern New England.
The annual Budweiser Blastoff - featuring the season-opener for the Northeastern Midget Association - takes place March 31-April 1 at Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl.
Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway hosts its annual Icebreaker April 14-15, Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H., holds its Spring Dash April 20-21 and the Spring Sizzler at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway is April 27-29.
Jason Remillard can be reached at jremillard@repub.com