If you want a reporter to complain about...

[jcmark611]

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/...danica-patrick

Mr. Diaz trumps them all....

The Indy 500 remains one of the signature races in this country, but in the week-to-week grind of attracting eyeballs, NASCAR remains king.

The hot mess theme is sucking away the passion over the storied race in Indy, whether it is concerns about the size of the field, the controversy involving the struggling Lotus team, or the $275,000 in fines against 13 teams that was recently levied.

How bad can things be when at one point, it was uncertain whether there would be a full field of 33 cars for the signature race in the sport?

[PHJIndy]

h

[comfortably numb]

he

[porscheman]

"The comparisons between the two brands of racing is obvious. It's Chardonnay and Gouda cheese vs. Budweiser and Cheez-Its . Polo shirts vs. tank tops. French accents vs. Southern twangs.
But if you look beyond the stereotypes, you will also see why NASCAR is a better brand for the American masses."

Good to know that NASCAR fits the good 'ole US of A so well ...

That 'kinda speaks volumes. Not so sure I'd be thrilled about that if I lived south of the border. Don't get me wrong, I love my American brothers and relish every visit, especially those to the Brickyard and MIS. I'll be watching, in this order ... Monaco, The 500 and Charlotte. I'm looking forward to them all but I can tell you which one I'll love the most!



porscheman

[Racing Steward]

There is no shortage of these delusional idiotic reporters in the media who say something purely for attention and trying to get themselves some face time.

This guy didnt really say anything that others havent said, but instead of reporting something as fact or news, he seems more intent on taking a jab at the Indy 500. Which is why I refer to him as a guy and not by name as he isnt showing the maturity or earned the respect to be called by name.

Ed Hinton & Tom Bowles come to mind as individuals who have said some far worse and far stupider things. (And im not sure Bowles even still has a journalism job, he was fired by SI) Thats just journalists, dont get me started on kyle petty, randy pemberton and larry mcreynolds

[Z28]

He's generally the NASCAR writer and gets syndicated to the other Tribune owned papers, he's often in the Chicago Tribune. To be accurate, he's not always a mister positive for NASCAR either, there are times he acts like he knows what's ailing the sport if they'd just ask him.

Just from those small points mentioned here. Yes NASCAR draws more viewers, by a wide margin week to week. The size of the field was never an issue, having 33 or more cars was a minor question. NASCAR so tightly regulates every aspect of the car no manufacturer is ever going to fall behind or get ahead. It's even more difficult for a team to fall behind because a limited number of teams supply equipment to so much of the field. And there's no shortage of struggling NASCAR teams in all three of their divisions. How many cars start NASCAR races is never in doubt, and increasingly neither is the number who run five laps and drive straight to the garage which they spell start and park.

He probably failed to discuss how the 33 cars starting were not guaranteed a spot in the 500 and all comers were welcome to attempt on an equal basis rather than having 35 entries in if they show up every week.

[Mindervillain]

Just another Florida newspaper thread.

(Orlando is still in Florida, isn't it?)

[SoundMan360]

I don't know the guy, but what he says that's quoted here has that awful stench of truth.

Or is this the week where everybody in IndyCar looks up their noses at the series that's more popular, has more manufacturer support, hundreds more sponsors and (most weeks) 20x the ratings?

It's funny.... NASCAR is the only force I've seen in a decade that some people would rather hate on than the French...

[Box Gear]

How is $275,000 in fines against 13 teams that include Penske & Ganassi considered a hot mess sucking away the passion of Indy? If anything doesnt this say that IndyCar is actually consistently enforcing the rules and not playing any favorites, unlike the previous regime and unlike the other series he's refers to as king?

And wasnt Lotus expected to struggle? They didnt bother to show up for the Indy test, they havent met their commitments and have had huge financial issues overseas. Why is this "reporter" acting so surprised. If he would have done his hw and researched the facts which is what a reporter is supposed to do, he likely would not be saying something so bogus. Evidently he isnt concerned with what the background information is which implies an agenda. To generate readers & responses? Perhaps.

And having 33 cars has been an issue before.