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A stick-and-ball fan's guide to NASCAR

Sporting News, The, Sept 13, 2004 by Matt Crossman

My grandpa watches every race, and he always says, "NASCAR loves Chew." I have no idea what he's talking about. Does it matter that my grandpa only drives Fords?

That is a question ripe with history and potential land mines. First, the history. For decades, different manufacturers have come and gone--Plymouth, Buick, Mercury, Oldsmobile and Pontiac among them. Each manufacturer sought bragging rights, the acquisition of which required a visit to victory lane. There was even a slogan: "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday." It probably was poppycock, but it sure sounded good.

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Until recently, the bodies of the different manufacturers' cars were slightly different, and occasionally one would have an advantage over the other. Once the advantage became obvious, NASCAR would change the rules, and the process would start all over again. These days, though, the sport is governed by "common templates"--meaning all the cars are the same shape, so none has an advantage. (Allegedly. Someone--no offense to your grandpa--always will complain.)

So, unless you want to sound like a paranoid kook, don't go around claiming NASCAR favors Chevrolet. Which is not to say your grandpa is a kook, but he did just lock his teeth in the car again.

A stick-and-ball fan's guide to NASCAR

Sporting News, The, Sept 13, 2004 by Matt Crossman

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