Sad to say, but they have ruined that track. The racing yesterday was mildly exciting at times, but nothing like it used to be. And I have never seen a Bristol race where the lack of attendance was so visible. The track can hold up to 150,000 people and used to sell out every race. Yesterdays race had a reported 102,000 people (down from 120,000 last year). If that doesn't open eyes, I don't know what will.
Progressive banking might work on boring tracks like Vegas and Homestead, but not here.
Just read an article from Jeff Gluck and he blames it on the economy and the reconfiguration. I don't buy the economy excuse. I'm sure it's a valid reason for a lot of people to skip going to the race, but my guess is if the track was still the old configuration, they'd at least get 140,000 people into the track.
Going to race a live Lou is never boring...if the racing sucks, just watch Jr for 500 laps...lol
Have to agree the stands were a bit sparse. I think they tend to not show the stands some times but Bristol it is hard not to. Got tickets to take my Grandson to the September race in New Hampshire.
I have to agree the old racing surfaces was a ton better and provided better racing! I hope they ditch this "progressive banking" before all tracks become the same. I think i heard tha pocono is getting redone and 1 other track but i dont recall which one.
Bristol Motor Speedway owner Bruton Smith is considering about $1 million worth of changes to return his Tennessee track to the way it was before a 2007 reconfiguration. "We are going to take a very hard look at it this week," Smith told The Associated Press on Monday. "We have everything in our computers that shows us what the track used to be and what it is now, and we started working on that last night. I'll have an answer for you next week on if we'll alter the track." But Smith insisted it was the rain, not fan apathy over the current style of racing at Bristol, that contributed to Sunday's poor crowd. "We certainly thought it was going to be better, but the rain got us," Smith said. Bristol once was one of the toughest tickets in all of professional sports, but attendance has waned the past several years and its spring race has particularly suffered. The speedway says it seats 160,000, and although the grandstands appeared half empty Sunday, NASCAR's listed attendance was 102,000. Smith said 8,120 sold tickets went unused. But he remained adamant the attendance decline has nothing to do with the new racing at Bristol. At the same time, though, Smith said he began talking to his Speedway Motorsports Inc. officials on Sunday evening about changes to the track. Smith said SMI will study fan comments this week. "I want to be sure that the fans like what they see," he said. "If the fans like three abreast through the turns, we do nothing. If they don't, then we'll alter the track. The fans vote is the most important thing." If changes are made, they'll be done in time for NASCAR's Aug. 25 return to Bristol.(more at the Associated Press)(3-20-2012)
Yeah I saw that this morning. very interesting. I don't think they will have a problem getting a fan vote. I'm just wondering what kind of track alteration they will do by August?
They have basically 5 months if they decide to redesign the track again. Hopefully they eliminate the progressive banking and turn Bristol back into what it should be.
