European NASCAR is more Murican than us

"Corz" (corz)
07/12/2014 at 19:57 • Filed to: NASCAR, TIPS, MURICA

What could possibly be more American than watching big rumbling V8's turn left for hours on end? Watching those big V8 stock cars turn left in the wet stuff. Last weekend, in France (Seriously?) the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series showed us yanks that even they can do our motor racing better than us.

On a side note, the driver who won the first ever fully completed oval rain race? Mathias Lauda.

DISCUSSION (100)

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:01

Wow, these guys are better americans than a lot of americans I've seen lately. Maybe the US should start handing out citizenships based on Muricaness instead of whatever they do now. I'm completely confident I could get one.

djmt1 > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:02

This looks a lot to different to what I saw. For starters the Euro Nascar I saw they turned left and right (they used the in field track aswell).

Update now with video.

PheeNoIVI > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:04

Nascar is like baseball. They can't handle any weather

ly2v8-Brian > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
07/12/2014 at 20:11

Kinja'd!!!

ly2v8-Brian > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:13

Not all Europeans hate the USA or Americans.

ly2v8-Brian > djmt1
07/12/2014 at 20:16

I like Tiff. I wonder what he'll do next. since it sounds like 5th gear is dead.

djmt1 > ly2v8-Brian
07/12/2014 at 20:20

Nah it's still around usually they come back just before Top Gear who have just began filming so they should be back soon.

ly2v8-Brian > djmt1
07/12/2014 at 20:29

I thought I heard it was done. this is good news.

GhostZ > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:36

I assume the winner was the last one to surrender, right?

Black Yuppie > ly2v8-Brian
07/12/2014 at 20:37

Tiff should have his a page devoted to him on Jalopnik. He has lived all of our dreams.

El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:41

I can bet that traditional NASCAR fans would be like: "Great, not only the Yuropeeans are better ate Yuropeean racing, but now at this, too? Bomb the shit out of those communist, Nazi fuckers, again, because God said so."

RHardin15 > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:43

Though not sanctioned by NASCAR, we do lots of oval racing in the rain in the U.S. as well. I work at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and we have Legends car (think 1/3 scale 1930's replicas with motorcycle engines) racing in the Summer and Winter. They cars are light and the tires are treaded, so we do race in the rain.

The top three NASCAR series here COULD race in the rain on ovals (and they do on road courses, though the Cup Series apparently won't as of late), but the absurd weight of the cars (3,300 lbs) relative to the width of the tire (11.5 inches) would mean they would be driving really slow at the shorter ovals, and the larger ovals would basically be pointless in general.

Eric Sean Delaney > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:45

No one from Europe and England can make fun of NASCAR now. We all have it. Deal with it.

Iwaswonderofwonders > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:47

Just like Martinsville with the European racism.

ScreenShot > Corz
07/12/2014 at 20:50

Left, right, rain ok, no waltrip clowns...what's not to like, except it's not local :(

CalBrs04 > ly2v8-Brian
07/12/2014 at 20:56

He is the stig

ly2v8-Brian > CalBrs04
07/12/2014 at 20:57

I knew it, he has to be.

The Artist Formerly Known As... > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First!
07/12/2014 at 20:59

It's alright, though—the Confederate battle flags make the target demo feel right at home. America, Hell Yeah.

CalBrs04 > ly2v8-Brian
07/12/2014 at 21:03

I've thought it has been for a while. After the old stig left he did do an episode where he drove pretending to be James. Since then I have thought that it is him.

Jason454ss > Corz
07/12/2014 at 21:07

Nascar Nationwide series was just at Road America and it was raining and they didn't redflag or postpone the race! Why is this small slow oval in the rain on here but that race wasn't?

Familyvettester > Corz
07/12/2014 at 21:08

Nice start but they need more cheap beer, more shirtless fans (male and female) and RV's

dirty soap > Corz
07/12/2014 at 21:09

Kinja'd!!!

FatherRottencrotch > Corz
07/12/2014 at 21:10

The (un)Marshall Plan.

Corz > Jason454ss
07/12/2014 at 21:15

Because this is the first ever oval race to be completed in full distance in the wet.

justregisteralready > Corz
07/12/2014 at 21:15

Kinja'd!!!

Corz > Familyvettester
07/12/2014 at 21:15

They have cheerleaders and line dancing... I think that makes up for some of that

OUScooby > djmt1
07/12/2014 at 21:22

Did I hear that correctly, they all used 5.7L Chevy V8s, even the cars with a Ford or Toyota badge on the front?

Jason454ss > Corz
07/12/2014 at 21:24

its not the first they didn't care a long time ago about rain but with the power and banking they use now it would not work well. yeah they could set the cars up for it but like just recently in qualifying a sudden rain will cause a huge wreck even if its just a small section on the back straight.

TomFlasheYoung > Corz
07/12/2014 at 21:51

Mind=Bolwn

TheFamousEccles > Corz
07/12/2014 at 21:52

Okay, it's official. NASCAR in the US is soft as butter.

GR1M RACER : Wrong Most of the Time > Corz
07/12/2014 at 21:59

WTF. That is the Second most Redneck Thing I saw this week. And I saw a 4wd mud bogging Cavalier this week.

Crossed > CalBrs04
07/12/2014 at 22:09

Is he really? I haven't watched Stig footage yet. But if he is, you can tell, he just loves to saw the wheel.

totalrunout > Corz
07/12/2014 at 22:16

I get a real kick out of Europe sometimes when they have events where they deck themselves in what they believe to be full American culture, e.g. the flags on the bikes, selling rebel flags, and the line dancing. But good on them for having a good time, that's what it's all about.

On a side note, NASCAR should start showing these sorts of clips or full races during rain delays instead of those drawn out blab sessions with the commentators.

LoremIpsum010101 > totalrunout
07/12/2014 at 22:34

There are certain things that make me a bit queasy (rebel flags, Native American headdresses), but if acting "American" means riding a Harley, drinking beer, dancing, and having a great don't-give-a-fuck time watching fast cars with V8s, I'd say we've got a wonderful culture!

Ash78, voting early and often > Corz
07/12/2014 at 22:42

The only problem was all the white flag confusion toward the end.

BrentOwen > Corz
07/12/2014 at 22:55

I just saw every American cliché. Amaze balls.

md495 > Corz
07/12/2014 at 23:17

Will they have to turn right if the race in the UK?

md495 > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First!
07/12/2014 at 23:20

Not GOD, "Because Jesus said so"

Scott-R > Corz
07/12/2014 at 23:23

When I first saw the headline, I was expecting to see Citroens and such. I was surprised to see them with Mustangs, etc.

burpbeepburp > Corz
07/12/2014 at 23:24

Of course the French would be good at NASCAR. They're Socialists, they've been turning left since the French Revolution. Ba-dump-bump.

mcseanerson > OUScooby
07/12/2014 at 23:34

yeah, that's what they said.

mcseanerson > djmt1
07/12/2014 at 23:36

Nascar is supposed to be a noncontact sport

Someone never saw Days of Thunder

GTOJoe > Corz
07/12/2014 at 23:45

I remember reading that NASCAR owned all of the carbon fiber C.O.T. wings and the teams would lease them for each race it looks like these cars are using them I was wondering what NASCAR did with the old wings.

zephyr0 > Corz
07/12/2014 at 23:46

The ozzies have been out Americaning America for a long time now. V8 supercars, AFL, beer, everything trying to kill you. They only fall short in the firearms department, which by most 'Murican standards is failing.

FrancoisVDS > Corz
07/13/2014 at 00:51

Car 22's driver is also very young. I don't follow Euro NASCAR too much, but went to Brands Hatch where he went on the podium. Funny thing is it's his first season ever – he's about 17!!

Blakkar > djmt1
07/13/2014 at 01:30

Dialing engines that big to only 400hp is just not right. They could use smaller engines, like 4.0L V8s lifted from DTM.

Vortex > GhostZ
07/13/2014 at 01:57

the joke is funny now that we know the French who are helping U.S. to become independent ... f * ck year ...

GhostZ > Vortex
07/13/2014 at 02:03

You might need to decipher that a bit. What year?

Vortex > GhostZ
07/13/2014 at 02:26

I think 1776, something like the 4.
for the French, Rochambeau 1780, battle of Chesapeake bay
you need to read:
http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-revolution…

Joan Barreda Borts 3rd Knee > Corz
07/13/2014 at 02:32

And football players to hold up the winner.

Go Pioniers

djmt1 > Blakkar
07/13/2014 at 02:35

They're cheap and easy to repair and the limited power is supposed to lead to closer racing.

Aussie > Corz
07/13/2014 at 02:40

Not a single crash, they're doing it all wrong...

Gabor Vajda (@Gabor_V) > Corz
07/13/2014 at 03:08

Hey, Matt! Why do I keep sending tips? I sent this over a week ago: http://gaborvajda.kinja.com/laudas-maiden-…

GhostZ > Vortex
07/13/2014 at 03:44

Then you should say "who HELPED the U.S. to become independent" not "who are HELPING the U.S. to become independent."

duurtlang > ly2v8-Brian
07/13/2014 at 04:07

The vast majority don't hate the US or Americans. Moreover, I've seen a lot of disdain towards Europeans from Americans too. It's just that US foreign policy, especially in the Bush jr. years, wasn't exactly appreciated. And with good reason I must add.

fighter500 > Corz
07/13/2014 at 04:36

I watch Sprint Cup, Nationwide, K&N Pro series west, Whelen modifieds, and the truck series. I Love how the Euro series goes to Le-Mans, Nurburgring and Velencia and all the beautiful famous GP tracks. But they cannot race ovals better than a sprint cup driver (Maybe road courses too). PERIOD. The Euro series cars always have an even offset (Not to mention a mere 400hp), where here in 'Murica (Sprint cup cars are anywhere between 825hp to 875+hp, trucks are 650, nationwide cars are around 500hp I think), if we are taking left turns, they use a chassis with a left turn only offset and on road courses they use chassis with an even offset. A lot of lower funded teams will use a LTO chassis on a road course but with the ARB connected instead of disconnected.

Other than chassis differences, a couple Euro series drivers have tried to come show off in America, one driver (Romain Thievin) gaining a second place finish racing a local (Whelen All-American series) race at Las Vegas Motor Speedways bullring, which is alright. I recall another euro series driver took a shot at sprint cup and failed to qualify. I mean, F1 drivers and IndyCar flippin Champions can barely manage to get 20th in a sprint cup race. Dale Jr. can put up a mean fight at 24h of Le Mans, and a couple NASCAR drivers compete in WKA events all around the world every chance they get, racing the Rolex Grand Am series, Kyle Larson getting fifth in Rolex 24H of Daytona, Boris Said is a road racing boss, Sam Hornish Jr. with a tope ten finish in Formula Atlantic, V8 Supercar champions, nascar drivers are gods. Europeans racing better? I think not, unless your talking about motorbikes or senna or many other great european drivers, but whatever, we win at NASCAR, PERIOD.

fighter500 > Corz
07/13/2014 at 04:36

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07/13/2014 at 04:38

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Hey11111111111111111 > Corz
07/13/2014 at 05:14

How about the Swedish V8 Thunder cars series

Kinja'd!!!

Leon711 > md495
07/13/2014 at 05:27

there is only one major oval in the uk (more of a squircle) at Rockingham, where the circuit is anticlockwise so no, it is left turns there. however the euro series visits brands hatch indy which is left and right turns.

Old-Busted-Hotness > totalrunout
07/13/2014 at 06:24

Better yet, they should put on rain tires (and their big boy pants) and keep racing.

ronaldleldridge > Corz
07/13/2014 at 06:52

http://www.jobs700.com

Rukola > duurtlang
07/13/2014 at 07:13

The vast majority don't hate the US or Americans

Those who hate are few, but there is a lot of antipathy towards the U.S. for a few reasons: Do the cops of the world for their own interests.

The american bases on European territory who have broken the cojones.

Influence European policy as if we were still in the Cold War.

The NSA scandal.

These are more or less the points read more online. BTW there are also fans with flags, etc. Or admirers of particular things in American society.

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > djmt1
07/13/2014 at 07:16

400 HP, tire changes take 2 minutes? Sounds like NASCAR in 1960.

Mr Ordinary > Corz
07/13/2014 at 07:22

It's a shame it's not easier to watch NASCAR here in England, if it were easier I'd probably watch it more. I like lots of different racing series and particularly like F1/BTCC.

People can argue they only go around in circles but there is still strategy and driver talent that is very much important.

I'd love to go and watch a race sometime, I'm only disappointed I never did when I had the chance!

RaggedMile > Corz
07/13/2014 at 07:59

Line dancing isn't American, it's a communist plot to ruin all the proper honkytonks.

If you don't know how to two-step get the hell off the dance floor!

mistic192 > fighter500
07/13/2014 at 08:02

Senna is from Brazil though...

I think the reason European drivers don't do well in general in NASCAR-style racing is because it is so completely different from anything else in racing... Positioning is way more important due to the whole 'pack'-driving thing NASCAR has going on, as European racers have to navigate corners there's no possibility to go in 3 wide and come out 3 wide again, not even at La Radaillon. Secondly, most European drivers haven't driven something without ABS since their Karting-days, nevermind something with less then 5 forward gears... Europe has moved into the future with car-technology in racing while NASCAR is still stuck in the past technology-wise...

When I'm watching NASCAR as a European, I can surely see the appeal, but as somebody who hasn't grown up with it, the luck-factor seems a lot more important compared to racing in the rest of the world, I was following the Nationwide Sprint Cup back when it was on MotorsTV and I still payed for that channel and while any American tells me that it's a PURE DRIVER SKILL based-series, there were very few races where the same 3 guys would end in the top 5 every time, so either that's why the luck-factor seemed a lot more important to me, also, soooo many races are decided in the last 10 laps that I was wondering why the hell I watched the other 290 laps :-) Camera- and broadcast work is Top Notch though, F1 could learn a LOT from that, I love those camera's on top of the car that can swivel around and show a pass by following a car from the rearbumper of a car till it passes the car with the camera on it, it's genius!

Omnislash79 > ly2v8-Brian
07/13/2014 at 08:04

Sabine made 5th gear interesting, get her and get rid of vicky...

OldcarsNmusic > Corz
07/13/2014 at 08:48

Racing in the rain...now why can't we do that? Oh yeah that's right: trial lawyers 'round most every corner!

Asatori > Corz
07/13/2014 at 09:27

So you see all these Europeans doing things to pretend to be 'Murrican. The line dancing, the Harleys, the Cowboy hats. Hell did I even see civil war uniforms in there? Makes me wonder what Americans do when they want to play at pretend-to-be-european?? Walk around naked?

Clutchman83 > Vortex
07/13/2014 at 10:10

You're missing out on a lot of history. The Frenchies earned their surrender monkey status at Dien Bien Phu somewhere round the middle of the 20th century.

ChrisSlicks > djmt1
07/13/2014 at 10:18

Also means the engines can last a whole season without rebuild unlike their more highly strung brethren.

Frenchlicker > totalrunout
07/13/2014 at 10:28

We do the same thing when we "imitate" their culture. I think it's a fair trade, interesting though.

Frenchlicker > Leon711
07/13/2014 at 10:33

Squircle, like Indianapolis or...

RyRy > mistic192
07/13/2014 at 10:41

It's nice to hear the perception of NASCAR from a European person. I'm amazed you say the broadcast is top notch because most people here complain about it. As for the luck factor, yes it is more prevalent there than in other racing series. However I do believe the best diver still comes out on top. Different drivers are up front due to the wide variety of ovals raced on. Some drivers excel on short tracks but struggle on speedways. That's part of the reason Jimmie Johnson is considered a great driver: he has a win at almost every racetrack.

CzechMonster76 > Corz
07/13/2014 at 10:43

I thought everyone hates Americans. At least according the Internet and our President. WTF?

Vortex > GhostZ
07/13/2014 at 10:58

Sorry yes, "the surrender who helped the U.S.."

Vortex > Clutchman83
07/13/2014 at 11:07

And you have selective memories, the merican earned their "losers going to war" status in the same place called Vietnam.

toecutter (so grey, I gotta wear shades) > Aussie
07/13/2014 at 11:18

There's no European version of Danica Patrick yet.

Tony Soprano > ly2v8-Brian
07/13/2014 at 11:55

I think you heard right.

Its not been on since 2013. There doesnt seem to be any news on its return either

mrutz > Corz
07/13/2014 at 12:52

It didn't look wet at the end of that video.

dataPOG > Asatori
07/13/2014 at 13:11

Infield at Dega....

Kinja'd!!!

hxq80489@doiea.com > Corz
07/13/2014 at 13:21

DatHoonDoe > totalrunout
07/13/2014 at 13:52

That's full culture in rural America. Cities are a more of a mix.

Themart67 > Corz
07/13/2014 at 13:52

last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My neighbour's sister has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can't believe how easy it was once I tried it out.

This is what I do,,,,,,,,,,

www.worksharks.com

Dusty Ventures > Rukola
07/13/2014 at 14:28

For what it's worth, a lot of Americans don't like those things either. Especially the NSA scandal. Most Americans hate the NSA right now

Gerardo L. Cox > Corz
07/13/2014 at 15:04

http://www.jobs700.com

CalBrs04 > Crossed
07/13/2014 at 16:00

Just my theory.

Blakkar > djmt1
07/13/2014 at 16:10

Maybe. But an NA 400hp for 4.0L is not much to ask for a racing engine and it would still last the season.

The lower power isn't what leads to closer racing. It is the fact that the cars are all so much alike. US NASCAR is so close because they are all running effectively the same car, despite have about 850hp. It's likeness that keeps them close together. You see it in every other form of racing. Or rather examples that proof the statement.

Mercedes is currently running away with F1 because they came up with a better, different, engine design from everyone else. Redbull F1 would have some aero details that gave then a difference and advantage over others. AUDI pretty much owns LeMans LMP-1 and the only way anyone else is going to get close is to do what they are doing. The list of differing cars being better is pretty long.

djmt1 > Blakkar
07/13/2014 at 16:11

In that case I shall blame emissions regulations instead.

Blakkar > djmt1
07/13/2014 at 16:17

How is that? The EU NASCAR cars run 5.7L V8s that are likely not as high compression (so they don't burn as clean or efficiently), and I just found out about this series so I don't know if they run ethanol (alcohol) yet. But spot on a team priming the engine, shows what looks like Gasoline.

djmt1 > Blakkar
07/13/2014 at 16:20

I wasn't being serious but with motorsports these days regulations seem to be having more of an effect so when ever something peculiar is going on and I can't find an answer I just blame regulations.

isocuda > Corz
07/13/2014 at 16:20

The first Euro Series race I saw (via the internets) was at Spa.......Sold.

GhostZ > Vortex
07/13/2014 at 16:36

250 years ago. We joke about the french because of what's happened since the 1900s.

Blakkar > djmt1
07/13/2014 at 16:44

Don't sweat it too hard. I have to cut it off before the real knuckleheads show up, just to be a bunch of a-holes.

But as regulations go, I would not be surprised if EU NASCAR changes up a lot of stuff going forward, to make the cars more their own.

Lauren P. Cortes > Corz
07/13/2014 at 16:58

fighter500 > mistic192
07/13/2014 at 17:07

Never really looked at it like that. I appreciate, understand and love the hell out of European road racing too, and off-road racing, dirt oval racing, and I really love MotoGP and TT circuits and watch them every week, I just love all kinds of racing really, and in NASCAR luck is a huge factor, but in all motorsports, a heavy part of why the same drivers are always on the podium is because they have the most money, best teams, best engines, and so on. Nationwide always has drivers from the sprint cup always winning, so it may seem the same alot, but the Sprint Cup and Truck Series can get pretty shaken up, have alot of upsets, and new people winning races every week (Especially in the K&N west series and SK modifieds series). I've raced karts, i've done SCCA road racing stuff, driven formula cars, and never have an issue hopping in a mini-stock at the local 3/8ths oval track, and in my experience, the people who always win have the nicest engines, best built cars, and all the other goodies, but knowing how to set a car up is half the battle too.

fighter500 > RHardin15
07/13/2014 at 17:10

We'll race NASCAR sanctioned Super Late Model races on a 5/8th of a mile oval in the rain out here in the PNW along with legends, bandoleros, baby grands, outlaw modifieds, whatever, if its wet we'll race! It would be amazing to work at Charlotte Motor Speedway though you lucky bastard :D

fighter500 > Hey11111111111111111
07/13/2014 at 17:11

SHIT! I need to be watching this, thanks for the tip mr. Hey111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

Vortex > GhostZ
07/13/2014 at 18:02

the shortest jokes are the best.
1900, this is still 114 years now, you were born ? not me.
Closest ,we could laugh together the Pigs bay, weapons of mass destruction not findable, or iraq pacified... But I'm not sure that war is funny, maybe because I have experienced the war in my country ... like the French.