Would you rather watch under the sun or stars?
RELATED: Junior prefers day races over night
Last week while speaking at Charlotte Motor Speedway, it came out that Dale Earnhardt Jr. thinks the daytime is the right time for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing. Junior had his reasons, and you can read them at the link above, but it got us at NASCAR.com thinking about which type of races we prefer.
Some tracks shine at night, such as Bristol Motor Speedway for the annual night race there in the late summer, and fans look forward to the event months in advance. Meanwhile, other venues sparkle during the daylight. Like, how could we beat the day at Talladega earlier this season? Bright skies and that big American flag in the background. What could be better?
Kathy Sheldon and George Winkler have their preferences as to which time they like races and are ready to debate. Which do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section below.
Winkler: Alright, Kathy. Boogity, boogity, boogity, let’s go debating. I’ll start off speaking from the heart. My first live sporting event with my dad was a day baseball game in San Francisco between the Giants and Cardinals. And as a kid I remember just how bright and green that field appeared the first time I laid eyes on it. Had it been a night game, it would have been past my bedtime. So I empathize with parents who are bringing their sons and daughters to their first race. I want them to have the same bright experience I had because that is what will set them on the path to becoming a true sports fan.
Sheldon: George, we share an abiding love for baseball, as well as racing. I, too, was a wee lass when my family took me to my first game at Wrigley Field — a day game. I would argue all day long for more day baseball, but racing is different for me. Baseball fans usually spend less than 3-1/2 hours total at the ballpark. That’s including player introductions, the national anthem, and buying souvenirs before or after the game. Out of 12 races so far this season, NASCAR fans have seen five events go past the 3.5-hour mark. Just the racing. The Coca-Cola 600 was 4 hours and 3 minutes — of baking in the sun. The deeper we go into summer, the hotter those afternoon races get. Plus, remember many NASCAR fans travel to see races. Saturday night races give them a chance to get some shut-eye then make their way home on Sunday and not miss any work vs. driving late into the night Sunday or taking a day off on Monday.
Winkler: Kathy, you make a great point about the travel for the fans being more convenient on Sunday after a Saturday night race. Those of us who work in the business certainly appreciate those Sundays off, too. But stepping away from the fan experience for a bit, let’s talk about the actual racing. Junior thinks there’s better racing during the day because the surface is hotter, the track is slicker and the groove is wider. These are some of the reasons I love watching the race at Auto Club Speedway, for example. With a racing surface that’s wide open during the day, it gives drivers the chance to try different grooves and can lead to exciting moments and different strategies. Plus, those California views! Or Phoenix or Las Vegas for that matter. Can’t see those at night!
Sheldon: Sticking with the fan experience for one more second, what you can see at night is the fireworks on the track. Did you not think it was the coolest thing ever the first time you saw the brake rotors glowing on 43 cars going 150-plus mph? Only at night can you see the sparks flying when the exhaust or suspension pieces hit the pavement during braking in the corners or when cars make contact. As for better racing, I like seeing the strategy of which team can beat the changing conditions. Going from early evening setting sun track temperatures to cooler night temperatures is just one more facet in the battle of man vs. machine. This spring’s Texas race didn’t lack excitement, with 29 lead changes among nine drivers.
Winkler: OK, you’re a tough cookie to crack, Kathy. So I’m pulling out the cranky old man material. I get up early in the morning and need to get on with my day. I don’t have time to sit around in a parking lot waiting for these night races. I’ve got places to go, people to see, yards to mow, important stuff like that. These crazy kids these days getting extra time to get all “juiced up” for these races. I like to hit the ground running in the morning and I’m ready for a good, old-fashioned 1 p.m. ET start. Get ‘er done, as they say!
Sheldon: George, I’ll hand it to you on being a family man. I’ve worked nights too many years. So I would still rather be hanging out in the parking lot after a race having a sandwich and one last beer (if I’m not driving) while waiting for traffic to thin out at midnight rather than getting up with the sun. Or better yet, camping! I’d say we agree you can’t really go wrong when it comes to spending time at the track as a fan, but sign me up for those warm summer nights.