DID YOU KNOW:
...That last weekend was a huge experiment for NASCAR? They paved a quarter mile oval race track inside the Los Angeles Coliseum.
The race was labeled the "Busch Light Clash," and it was action packed...and not just on the track. It was the debut event for the all new next generation NASCAR: Big names, big stars and a nearly sold out crowd of 60,000 attended the all new event. There was a $3 million purse but a non-points paying race drew a full field with all the usual gunfighter drivers at the wheel.
The new car is designed to more closely resemble their production car counter-parts. Center-pin wheels mount with just one large nut in the center, transmissions have been moved to the rear now packaged as a transaxle. Gear changing is done by a sequential gear lever and rear suspension is now fully independent. Other additions include taller wheels, larger tires, and controlled horsepower from 500 to 700 depending on the track they’re racing at. The chassis and body are now built exclusively by NASCAR and purchased by the teams. Even the standard height rear spoiler is controlled by NASCAR. All these changes were designed to make the cars look more stock, safer and better competition. From we’ve witnessed so far, we’d say it worked.
Small ones of this size all but ensure beating and banging, and lot of bent metal is to follow. The racing was super close; rubbing and pushing were the orders of the day. The goal of this event was to introduce new fans to the sport of stock car racing. According to NASCAR, 70% of the tickets sold were to first time NASCAR fans attending. Fox Sports did a great job of covering everything that went on, and NASCAR legend Tony Stewart served in the Fox booth and did a great job; we’ll be seeing more of him.
Hats off to NASCAR for a very successful event, a brave endeavor to be sure and it paid off. Rumor is NASCAR is coming back next year for the second annual event: good news.
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