NASCAR vs F1

[leighdu]

Where I am from NASCAR reigns supreme, and aside from the obvious differences in the format of open wheel racing and stock car racing, I have never understood the interest in either. Actually, watching someone like Mario Andretti when he was dominating both F1 and Indy car racing was interesting to a certain extent, but now, no interest.

What draws people to this? Just curious.

[diggyj]

Well I attend lots of Formula 1 races. Have been to Indianapolis a few times to watch F1 as well as Montreal several times to watch the Candian Grand Prix. I am a huge F1 fan. Not a NASCAR fan at all. I love the open wheel racing. There are many factors that people like me watch F1 for. It truely is a world sport since races take place in many countries throughout the world and the tracks are all so called "street courses" except for a small part of the oval they drive on during the US Grand Prix. NASCAR for the most part takes place on ovals and tri-ovals, quit boring to see drivers continuously go round and round, don't see any skill in that. The sounds of F1 are quite amazing, extremely loud at trackside and sounds can be heard from miles away. Trust me I use earplugs.

You then have the smell around the racetrack. The rubber, the fumes, difficult to describe but an experience to say the least. Drivers in F1 come from many countries where as in NASCAR a huge percentage are from the USA. Some outsiders like Dario Franchitti, ex-F1 drivers Jaques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Formula 1 incorporates its leading edge technology in the design and features of everyday road cars. All the electronics and things like traction control and drivers aids are put into the manufacturers cars. Formula 1 is much more advanced then NASCAR. Yes they to have technology but doesn't compare to F1. Its just a world watched sport. Its like comparing the World Series in baseball to the World Cup. World Series for baseball isn't that at all. Only played in Canada and the USA although players come form many countries. Now the World Baseball Classic is a different story.

Better pit babes in F1. Have you seen some of the women? NASCAR is more of a stereotypical redneck thing where F1 is much more sophisticated. Just look at the Monaco Grand Prix.

The best drivers are in F1. Also NASCAR is to dangerous, to many drivers close to one another causing big accidents. They say that some people go for the accidents which is sad because if you are going to see someone in the crowd or a driver or a volunteer potentially get killed then you should watch a differnet sport.

Take the greatest driver of all time for example. Michael Schumacher said he would never go to NASCAR after his carrer in F1 was over because he said it is far to dangerous and a drivers ability doesn't really come out when you go around the same oval for 500 laps. Yes they to are athletes but its just not the same as F1.