"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - TdF highlights vs. NASCAR highlights

has anyone noticed the similarities between coverages of these events? the sensationalizing of the crashes and the oversight of the nuances and strategy of the race itself?

Yeah, it's kinda like when Tiger makes a killer putt, that's all they show you. You don't get to see him linning up the shot...they don't have time.

Hey, I'm a big NASCAR and cycle fan and if you're not into the sport it's difficult to appreciate all the nuances and strategies that are going on long before the event even starts.
A co-worker is just now starting to get into NASCAR and he's starting to appreciate what it takes to build, test and drive along with pit strategies,etc.
Honestly though, I don't think he'll ever appreciate cycling and what Lance, Tyler, Mario, Lemond and anyone I left out had to go through to achieve the level of performance and notoriety they did.

BTW, Michael Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Dale Jr. and Tony Stewart are my top 5.

Originally posted by RiPHRaPH
has anyone noticed the similarities between coverages of these events? the sensationalizing of the crashes and the oversight of the nuances and strategy of the race itself?

I don't see many TDF highlights.

It is incredibly annoying when a wreck on a restrictor plate track deserves the title 'the big one' (almost needs capital letters). A wreck starts and right away the announcer is like 'is this the big one???'. Its like... SHUT THE HELL UP. I do not like seeing crashes, unlike many nascar fans.
I enjoy winston cup racing, but I definetly prefer F1.

Another NASCAR fan checking in.

What coverage do you think is better FOX, NBC or TNT. This past weekend's race at Louden and TNT's coverage was so-so. NBC's has got to be the absolute WORST coverage! With 10 laps to go, they're showing guys in 16-17 place, and not even side by side racing, just going around following each other!

I personally like FOX's coverage best.

My favorite drivers (I'm a Chevy Man): Dale Sr., then Jr., Jeff Gordon (when Evernham was his crew chief I was a big fan, now, I'm so-so), Michael Waltrip (My wife's favorite driver), congrats to Jimmy Johnson (but not a big fan).

Right now, I really don't have a favorite. I was a big Sr. Fan, and Jr. is o.k., just can't really get into him though.

Jeff was my guy when Evernham was his Crew Chief because Jeff always thanked God first and foremost after each win or good placing. I think that was due to Ray's influence, and now Jeff barely mentions God, and I don't like that.

I like Teri LaBonte although he hasn't been doing well. Bobby just seems to have little or no personality.

I CAN'T STAND Tony or Robby Gordon. Those two are cut from the same cloth.

I just want to punch Robby every time I see an interview with him.

L8R

Nascar is just plain and simply boring. Don't watch it, would never watch it.

Is NASCAR not where they get to the end of the straight and then turn left? :D

and keep turning till yuo find another straight.
It requires great skill to press the throttle to the floor for 4 hours...:;-):

Originally posted by TimB
and keep turning till yuo find another straight.
It requires great skill to press the throttle to the floor for 4 hours...:;-):

Get Nascar Racing Season 2002 by Papyrus... turn off all driving aids, and try to race


Originally posted by TimB
Nascar is just plain and simply boring.

so is bike racing :confused:

We only get a few races on TV over here, but as I have been raised on F1, rally and rallycross and used to watch the racing at Ingliston (one make series etc) Oval racing has no appeal.

I also think the pace car in NASCAR is used to close up the bunch if things get too spread out. It all smacks of being stage managed as a TV sport. More a test of bravery than skill.

Bike racing can be boring as can F1. The only thing that is never boring is MOTOGP!

Originally posted by chewa

I also think the pace car in NASCAR is used to close up the bunch if things get too spread out. It all smacks of being stage managed as a TV sport. More a test of bravery than skill.


True. I think the yellow flags are way overused. And the whole policy with it is messed up (think no local yellows... think racing back to the line...)
When there is a long green run, there often seems to be a mysterious 'debris' caution because someone threw a paper plate on pit road or something... (of course they cant just close pit road... they have to throw a full course yellow)

My family cannot watch a single nascar race with me without hearing me complain about the things that bug me about it :D

Even dogs stop chasing their tales after a couple spins.

:roflmao: :roflmao: :thumbup:

excellent!!
Even dogs stop chasing their tails after a few spins, classic.
Gotta remember that one.

Bike racing boring:confused:
I guess you have'nt been watchin the Tour De france 2003 then!

I'm waiting to see a NASCAR pit crew jump in the car hauler, head out onto the track, catch up with their racer and make tire changes, transmission / brake repairs and do refueling while the car is on the track in the middle of a the pack ;)

Originally posted by TimB
:roflmao: :roflmao: :thumbup:

excellent!!
Even dogs stop chasing their tails after a few spins, classic.
Gotta remember that one.

Bike racing boring:confused:
I guess you have'nt been watchin the Tour De france 2003 then!
Yea,once a year.Its ok.Nascar is good,you just have to get into it.Once you understand that the drivers are as good of shape as the cyclist and understand what there bodies go through,nascars pretty cool.Go rusty.

The difference is that they actually COVER the NASCAR events, while the Tour events MIGHT make the evening news, and only a mention for like 3 seconds (I timed it, really!) on only SOME of the news stations in the late news.

Why do they show NASCAR on tv, but they can't show one lousy stage of the Tour on TV? :(

Me sad.... :cry:

I called my cable provider and demanded more curling.

way more exciting than NASCAR is'nt it !