Bruton/BMS considering changes to the track....

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/7710281/bristol-motor-speedway-owner-considering-1-million-changes

It's a lot more than just the track configuration & surface. The cars are different, the tires are different, the technology is different, 25 of the 43 cars are typically almost dead even instead of only maybe 8 or 10 on a good day, the drivers are different, the crews are different.  The previous configuration was an era much like each of our lives.  I wish I could go back to my 20-something body but that ain't gonna happen!!!

BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) — 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.

The rain began late Saturday night and continued until about two hours before Sunday's scheduled start, which Smith said "killed the walk-up crowd. And that alone accounts for 3,500 to 4,000 tickets."

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.

"Those were tickets that didn't show, people who elected not to venture out, and that's because of the weather," Smith said.

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.

The .533-mile bullring was long one of the most popular venues in NASCAR because of the aggressive style drivers had to adopt to be competitive on the tight track. The August night race is considered a showcase, and the combination of bumping and banging for 500 laps on a hot summer night usually led to an explosion of tempers.

It mellowed a bit after the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship was formed in 2004, and drivers trying to make NASCAR's title-deciding format had to be cautious that late in the season. Then came the 2007 reconfiguration, which added variable banking in the corners and opened lanes for two-and-three wide racing.

With so much room, there's not as much contact between the cars, and fans have complained that Bristol just isn't the same.

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.

"If I am going to do anything, I am going to guarantee we are going to do it before August," he said.

I quit going last fall won't go back till its fixed was spending way to much for a so so showing

RyanLeGrand wrote: I honestly do not think that the racing can stay the same if they bank the track at all the same degree, like it was prior to 2007. The reason they spread out now is because of that variation, which allows for more speed off the corners to those running the top.  If it were back at 36 degrees from top to bottom, it would be virtually impossible to have the spread out racing we have seen.  Just my view...

It NEVER was 36 degrees, it was closer to TWENTY six...that marketing "ploy" was outed many years ago!  Someone posted in another thread that they found out by laser mapping the pre-07 concrete actually had REgressive banking....in other words the bottom was steeper than the top!  No wonder it was a one grove racetrack!

I also found the comment about the 3,500 to 4,000 walk ups interesting. I know that myself and many friends that live here in the Bristol area always  tried to get in the spring and summer races by scallping tickets on the days of the races because they were always sold out before 2007. We did for the next couple of years also after 2007 but it became reality that the race just wasn't exciting after that and many of my friends just quit going. It is not very fun to watch cars go around and around for 500 laps with no breaks. If you go to the restroom or consession stands now under the non stop green flag racing you miss fifty laps of the race. I know for sure that many of the regulars from pre 2007 would start going again if the track was returned to the old configuration.

   as a season ticket holder if things don't get any better this will be my last year of going...   please please do something  we enjoy bristol!!!!!!!

Glad to hear that something "MIGHT" be done about the track. I was vocal about it several years ago here on the forum and was laughed at. I have not been to a race at Bristol for several years now because of the changes.

They changed the racing at Bristol and still expected to get the same money for tickets that they were getting before the changes.

Before the changes Bristol was one of the premier tickets in all of NASCAR, after the changes it became just another track, no better than Martinsville. If anything Martinsville became the better "short" track.

Change the track back and I will be back.

Edited by youther - 20 Mar 2012 at 2:43pm

ben.t wrote: Love reading all your comments and conversation. Remember, in addition to commenting on this board, send your email sharing your thoughts to input@bristolmotorspeedway.com --- that's what's going to Bruton.

I have sent my input to him. Thanks.

I FEEL IT NOT ALL THE TRACK  CAR ARE TOTAL DIFFERENT  GAS HOTEL ETC  CST DONT HELP  PLUS WEATHER WAS A FACTOR

Bowhntr wrote: The sport, the economy, and yes even the fans have changed to a point that I don't think tracks need two races a year.  I sent my input advocating for leaving the surface as is, spending the one million at North Wilkesboro, and moving the spring date from Bristol to NWS.  I'd buy season tickets to BOTH of the tracks!

I will make you a deal. If that happens I will pay for your season tickets for life at Wilkesboro.

youther wrote: Bowhntr wrote: The sport, the economy, and yes even the fans have changed to a point that I don't think tracks need two races a year.  I sent my input advocating for leaving the surface as is, spending the one million at North Wilkesboro, and moving the spring date from Bristol to NWS.  I'd buy season tickets to BOTH of the tracks! I will make you a deal. If that happens I will pay for your season tickets for life at Wilkesboro.

Be careful what you agree to.  Bruton has a track record of moving dates from attendance challenged tracks and don't think for a minute if he sees another opportunity he won't take it!