Fixing Talladega, The Answer Is Simple

By Guest Columnist Jim Fitzgerald

Let us first assume that it is broken. We all know what racing at Talladega has become. Thirty-four laps of hard racing, followed by 120 laps of follow the leader, perhaps broken up by a caution or two, followed by thirty-four more laps of hard racing to determine a winner, not to mention wad up a bunch of race cars. If this is the definition of "broken" then we can fix it. We have the technology. We can make it go harder...stronger...faster...

The "we" in that statement is NASCAR, and by association, the fine folks at Talladega. For years, both racers and fans alike have gone on record wondering why we run 188 laps at Talladega when only the first and last segments are historically anything but a speedy parade.

The middle section can be quite dull from time to time despite the best efforts of those on television and radio alike. The MRN crew does exceptionally well with this. Mike Bagley and Dave Moody both have methods of turning a leisurely trip down the backstretch into what would seem to be a five-wide run for the lead on the last lap. Then, when it gets to the closing laps, I believe they actually hover above their own seats powered by their own excitement making the calls. Alas, to the onlooker on the television or in attendance, sounds can be deceiving, and we watch cars follow each other.

So, how can it be fixed so that the race is more exciting, and less...not? The answer is a simple use of multiplication...or division, depending on your preference. For the fan, there will be only slight differences. This answer will cost the fan some laps, but maybe the fan, when they see what they get in return, will not complain. It will cause NASCAR greater exposure, as this doesn't happen on a weekly basis in the series. The drivers will like it, for reasons which will be obvious.

How do you get the dog at the track to run fast? You dangle a bone in front of it. How do you get them to run even harder? Dangle more bones. So, here it is...laugh if you like...no one is listening anyway. The answer to the question of fixing Talladega? Transform ONE into TWO.

Two races, held on the same day, in front of the same crowd, for the same price of admission. Two 75-lap races. Treat them as if they were two separate events. Different sponsors, maybe the same sponsor? Multiple qualifying sessions, or use the same result for both races. The thing is, at Talladega, remember that qualifying doesn't really matter. You just need to be in the lead with someone behind you as you hit the stripe on the last lap. We know it is possible to drive from the back of the field to the lead in..what was it...nine laps? Here's the kicker, though...award points as if it were two different weekends. The winner of the first race gets winner's points and any bonuses...same with the winner of the second. Imagine two wins up for grabs on the same day.

So, instead of the 34/120/34 formula, you would most likely have 25/25/25...25 laps of racing, 25 laps of riding, and then 25 laps of racing. Or we could very well see 75 laps of edge-of-the-seat racing. Not only might we see it, we might see it twice...in the same day.

The fans would love it...a chance with their ticket to see two races in the same day, and possibly two different winners, or maybe one driver takes them both. I can see it now...they'll call it the Dega Double!

The Dual Duels at Dega!

The drivers would love it for the same reason they try like hell to win the All-Star race every year, as well as every other race. For prestige AND for points...imagine having the best day possible, and walking out of there with 390 more points than you came in with? NASCAR would love it because it is different and would probably get them more exposure, sponsor money, and possibly fans and ratings.

I know what you're thinking...I do. Suppose you get your car wadded up in the first race. That's why they invented back up cars. After the first race, everyone has the option of staying in the current car or going to the back up. What about the Chase? Now there are eleven races in the Chase. Okay, fine, so just do it for the spring event and leave the fall event as traditional. It is not my responsibility to make all of the rules for a change that will most likely never happen, but you have to admit that it is unique, the possibilities are out there, and it is fun to think about.

The power to make a change of any sort lays in the hands of the sanctioning body and those of the track operators. The racing at Talladega is what it is...the "high speed chess match" where pawns and knights alike jockey for position and hope to be in the right place at the right time to make the right move. We are most likely not going to get away from that. We may not be in for a change in what we see, but perhaps in the way we see it would be a possibility.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.