Paul Tracy in NASCAR

dj1470

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Apr 7, 2005
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While I would love to see this happen - I don't think it ever will. Even for American drivers it's hard to break the "confederate" barrier. Only the best drivers (e.g. Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle) from north of the Mason-Dixie line can make it. For a Canadian to break into NASCAR would be phenomenal. They'll probably just jerk Paul around for a while then quietly drop him. There is still a big Yankee vs. Rebel attitude in NASCAR. Despite what the NASCAR big-wigs say it is still a good 'ole boys network and if you can't say "Git Her Dunn" or "Boogity, Boogity, Boogity" with the proper southern drawl you're out. Good luck Paul you'll need it.
 

scouser1

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Dec 7, 2001
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what part of the 1940's are you stuck in? NASCAR has realized that there is a ton of money to be made in the northern states and even Canada. A race track is being built in New York city for a race in 2007, they are seriously looking at Canada for a Busch series race like they did in Mexico this year,they are looking at a huge market in the US northwest in places like Portland and Seattle, the beauty of the free market system is that for the most part race, religion, nationality etc doesnt play a part, as the only colour thats important is green.
 

dj1470

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We'll see. Personally, I have been to many NASCAR races as I am a huge fan and have seen the divisions. Most recently I have been to the Aaron's 500 at Talledega, GA and the Revolution 400 at Darlington, SC both back in April. At the end of this month I'll be going to Bristol, Tenn.. While I don't begrudge the statement that NASCAR is more open than in the past there is still an underriding attitude that if it's not "southern" it's not racin'. By the by, I WAS NOT commenting on the colour of people's skin, the divisions are much more cultural than racial. At Darlington, there was even a lot of talk of Danica Patrick since the Indy 500 was coming up and whether a woman would ever drive in NASCAR. You can imagine how those conversations went in the stands, lots, and paddocks.
 

healer677

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Jan 13, 2004
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I have to agree dj.

NASCAR, in pro sports; is probably the best example of the "good ol boys" networking and it has little to do with color or race but a lot to do with culture within the community. NASCAR is Southern bred racing - pure and simple. It has never sold itself for what it isn't. There were years when hardly anyone followed the sport - and that was fine by them.

The culture of the south has sustained NASCAR since it's inception, theres is too much money in the bank for the owners, drivers and even the sponsors, to have to make any drastic changes to the sport to gain success. It's making money now, gaining fans by being what it is - bump and run, in your face, mom and apple pie racing. Its not your typical European F1 elitist group. It's not like your split Champ / Indy car group. It's NASCAR.

I dont think Tracy can make any siginificant strides in NASCAR. By his own admission, after taking a car around recently; he found it more difficult to drive a stock car. He likened it to skating around a track - he commented on the lack of traction for the tires. And this is on an empty track - he'd get smoked once they start swapping paint.
 

smart_alek

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Jan 25, 2004
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Even Jeff Gordon gets booed a lot, and he's from California. It is a somewhat hypocritical mentality they have. They buy into driver's images that have that " aw shucks, good ol' boy" type image. That could not be further from the truth, as to get into any form of motorsports, you have to start from a young age, and have tens of thousands of dollars to spend each year to go Karting. Paul Tracy has the right temperment for Nascar, though.
 

dj1470

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Apr 7, 2005
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Report today that the real reason Paul Tracy is not racing in NASCAR yet is the fact that no "american" companies would sponsor his car. Ray Childress tried to get Canadian Tire to sponsor the #33 car (Harry Gant's old car that hasn't raced since 1999) at the last minute but they wouldn't come up with the $300,000 or so per race that it would have cost. Even a Canadian company won't sponsor him.

www.torontosun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2005/08/15/1173907-sun.html
 

Kev

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Jul 29, 2003
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Ron Fellows drives in NASCAR hes Canadian. He competes in Busch and Nextel Cup. Granted hes a road course specialist so you don't see him on the ovals but he drives in NASCAR. Competed at the Glen just last week. http://www.ronfellows.com/

I don't think there really is anyone that good enough from Canada that could supersede some of the drivers from the states. I mean why would you hire someone from Canada when you could get an American to do the same job?

Now if Canada had a Schumacher, or someone with his skills then there would be a seat on one of those big teams opening up real quick.
 
Kev said:
I don't think there really is anyone that good enough from Canada that could supersede some of the drivers from the states. I mean why would you hire someone from Canada when you could get an American to do the same job?

.

If you are talking about NASCAR only, then maybe yes. But even then competition is fierce. There are more drivers than good seats.

That is not necessarily true with racing in general (especially non-oval related racing). Getting a seat is all about sponsorship. You have to bring money with you. The reason you see a lot of foreign drivers in CART, or ALMS, etc is that they bring sponsorship with them.
 

chd

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Nov 28, 2004
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Its All About Sponsership
The Nascar Fan Is The Most Loyal In Sports
If They Like The Driver They Will Support The
The Products On The Car
If Tracy Has The Talent
He Then Must Be Able To Have His Fans Support The
Product On The Car
Look What Is Going On With The Napa Car Drivin By
Micheal Waltrip
He Is Nowere Near A Top Driver
But He Still Sells The Product
Even After It Was Announced
There Would Be Change Next Year
By His Team
Napa Parts Was Thinking About Going With Waltrip
If He Could Find Another Ride
 

Kev

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Liquid Snake said:
If you are talking about NASCAR only, then maybe yes. But even then competition is fierce. There are more drivers than good seats.

That is not necessarily true with racing in general (especially non-oval related racing). Getting a seat is all about sponsorship. You have to bring money with you. The reason you see a lot of foreign drivers in CART, or ALMS, etc is that they bring sponsorship with them.

I was refering to NASCAR only.

When i here this last week 'i believe it was Childress racing' signing a 15 year old kid as a developmental driver for a future seat in a Nextal Cup car i wonder what hope does some equally talented kid have growing up in Canada have down south?

I'm not sure if NASCAR is fueled by drivers bringing sponsorship dollars to a team like other race series. I guess if McDonalds says i'll only sponsor you if so and sos driving the car. But i never heard drivers making a team because of the money they bring. Although i'm not really sure. Anyone else have any comments on this?
 
Kev said:
I was refering to NASCAR only.

When i here this last week 'i believe it was Childress racing' signing a 15 year old kid as a developmental driver for a future seat in a Nextal Cup car i wonder what hope does some equally talented kid have growing up in Canada have down south?

I'm not sure if NASCAR is fueled by drivers bringing sponsorship dollars to a team like other race series. I guess if McDonalds says i'll only sponsor you if so and sos driving the car. But i never heard drivers making a team because of the money they bring. Although i'm not really sure. Anyone else have any comments on this?

It comes into play, but it depends on the team. Some teams with a big sponser (Re: Miller) have a specific critera (age, among other things) for which driver gets the ride in the car that they sponsor.


On a related note, how many drivers wtih CASCAR series have ever made it in NASCAR or BUSCH in the USA? Any young guns from up north ever make the switch?

As far as young talent, I think a Canadian would have a better shot at racing in the Rolex or ALMS series, or even one of the open wheel feeder series just because they are more open to having non-USA drivers than NASCAR is (despite what they may try to spin you). But if the talent is there, anything is possible.
 

scubadoo

Exile on Main Street
Sep 21, 2002
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Too bad that CT didn;t step up to the plate....however...can you blame them for not wanting to spend money on a car that will be most shown on american tv not canadian tv? You need a company that has cross border ties to make it work....something like Labatt's Blue might work. Heck....how about Crown Royal....they sponsor IROC.
 

dj1470

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Apr 7, 2005
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scubadoo said:
Too bad that CT didn;t step up to the plate....however...can you blame them for not wanting to spend money on a car that will be most shown on american tv not canadian tv? You need a company that has cross border ties to make it work....something like Labatt's Blue might work. Heck....how about Crown Royal....they sponsor IROC.
Crown Royal (along with Irwin and Sharpie) already sponsor Kurt Busch's #97. As for beer, Anheuser Busch has a monopoly contract with NASCAR to support all their labels. But I see where you're coming from there has to be someone out there who will sponsor him.
 

chd

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dj1470 said:
Crown Royal (along with Irwin and Sharpie) already sponsor Kurt Busch's #97. As for beer, Anheuser Busch has a monopoly contract with NASCAR to support all their labels. But I see where you're coming from there has to be someone out there who will sponsor him.
IS NOT MILLER A SPONSOR
NOT SURE
 

dj1470

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Apr 7, 2005
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chd said:
IS NOT MILLER A SPONSOR
NOT SURE
You're absolutely right. Apologies. I wasn't clear I guess. I meant that when you go to races you can only buy A-B products (mainly Bud, Busch, and Michelob). Yes, Miller MGD/Lite has sponsored Rusty Wallace for over 20 years. Also, Dave Blaney - Jack Daniel's, Robby Gordon - Jim Beam, Sterling Marlin - Coors Light. There are probably others but I can't come up with them right now.
 
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