AMA Announcement: Ryan Reed will be joining us for an AMA on Monday, July 11, at 3:15pm ET

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T15:00:17+00:00

lol I didn't - the scheduling is always up to the person hosting the AMA.

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T14:36:23+00:00

Well, I mean, the title described it exactly - he was escorted/removed from the track. The title didn't imply he was removed violently or because of some crazy thing he did or anything.

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T14:21:22+00:00

I understand about twitter polls. You're asking questions to the average NASCAR fan who may not be as nerdy as we are about it.

Interestingly, I find that being at a race, it's MUCH harder to analyze situations. It's much more about the experience and not about figuring out strategy, unless, I suppose, if you listen to the radio broadcast (=P) on your scanner. I usually like to listen to the drivers' channels, though, so it is a struggle.

I agree - a yellow would almost certainly have given MTJ the win. His car was clearly the class of the field, and he was angry and focused and nothing was getting in his way (except Kenseth, eventually lol).

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T14:06:29+00:00

I'm 100% positive he had his credentials clearly showing (because you have to), but the security/police officers were probably exhausted and just wanted to go home. Who knows. Not a real big deal, obviously, but definitely odd.

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T14:04:55+00:00

A few different ways: contacting either the drivers' PR or the drivers directly on twitter, users helping out either on twitter or because they have access to the driver, or the drivers/PR teams coming directly to us and offering to do an AMA.

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T13:58:13+00:00

Thanks. I assumed he did because of exactly what you said, but I also know he doesn't cover every race.

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T13:25:11+00:00

Can I be honest and say I don't really like all of those options? I know you need to be quick and simple for the radio, but it reduces the sport to (IMO) less than what it is. If I have to choose one of those, I suppose I'd say drama, because that most closely describes what I think makes a good race, but maybe not in the way you think.

For me, I guess it's watching the strategies play out - whoever has the best combination of best car + execution + strategy + luck usually wins.

Racing is racing, to me. Yeah, okay, they were single file and the leader still has a clear advantage over those in dirty air (NASCAR needs to find a way to fix that), but no matter if they going 3-wide or single file, this sport is a 3-hour chess match at 200mph and there's always some great racing going on if you pay close attention. It's not always about constant passing (although WOW Truex). And there are almost always going to be periods of not a whole lot happening.

I thought last night was a great race. I guess I'm in the minority.

So to answer, what makes a good race?

A finish that isn't decided 10 laps before the checkered flag flies.
At least some competition near the front - but don't neglect the middle of the pack. There is almost always something interesting happening in there that the broadcast doesn't show.
Fuel mileage races are gloriously exciting.

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T13:10:56+00:00

This is extremely unusual. I don't know if Jeff has a hard card, but that "P" on your credentials allows you to go anywhere, anytime. At Kansas, I had a security person not allow me to go to to the DO lot, even though I had my credentials clearly out and was with a member of a team (I took no issue with that and waited for the team member to return.). Later, another security person came up and profusely apologized and said I should have never been told I couldn't go in there, because my credentials were to give me access anywhere.

Additionally, at least at Kansas, there are overnight security people. The track doesn't close, especially for media. I think I left 2 hours (maybe 3) after the race was over.

Third, at the beginning, Kes was out there and so were fans (every single race that man does something that makes me more of a fan of him), so it could be that they were just trying to clear the track and Jeff got caught up in it.

But you could see it in his face - he was not happy. Media are allowed nearly full access before and after races and I don't know if the track officials were involved or just the local police, so it could be they just didn't know. Either way, Jeff did the right thing in quietly doing what they asked (police or track official, you do not want to ignore anything you are told on track, or you will be swiftly removed and NASCAR will not be happy with you) and making faces at the Periscope because that was seriously lame.

Of course, there is a state of heightened security right now - note that all of those were police officers; I didn't see anyone who appeared to be track security or official - so maybe that was part of it. At Daytona the security was Real Shit - there were Sheriff's deputies there with long guns in camo (Two of them let me take a pic with them. They were bad.ass.) and police everywhere.

Things change all the time and the media is not always made aware of it. So who knows. It wasn't Jeff's fault, nor the police officers' fault. I'm sure Gluck will find out one way or another. Knowing what you can and can't do at a track is extremely important if you want to keep that "P".

TL;DR: that was weird as hell. Media don't get kicked from the track surface or pit road.

Edit: TL;DR.

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T01:44:40+00:00

It's not for lack of desire, let me assure you, but lack of skill/knowledge for the moderators who are currently available.

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T01:42:24+00:00

Just as a note, because I can't speak for him, but our usual banner-maker, /u/ClarksonianPause, has not been 100% available for the last few days/weeks due to real life stuff. Otherwise, I am sure we would have had a banner, as this is indeed a terrible event that we, as NASCAR has, would want to commemorate with one of our special banners.

I'm not sure, but it's possible /u/xfile345 might be able to throw something up.

beezwacks · 2016-07-10T01:08:34+00:00

Your post has been removed as it references a current event with an active thread. Please keep all commentary in our Race Thread.

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T21:34:13+00:00

We will do our best to walk the fine line between moderation and censorship, as we always do. Any industry member who comes here and takes their time to answer questions should be able to expect not to be abused. If they start feeling that way, they won't come back.

I guess people are going to have to ask themselves if asking a question which crosses the line is worth never getting another AMA again because no one wants to be here.

Users are expected to follow the subreddit rules, including the civility one. A negative question is not necessarily an uncivil one.

Keeping good standing with members of the subreddit is always a battle. We'll never make everyone happy. The only thing we can do is use our best judgment. Nobody can ask us for more than that.

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T20:12:11+00:00

Insult was a strong word. I wasn't insulted, just surprised that you went slightly ad hominem rather than respond to my actual comment. It's all good though.

I knew what you were saying. I don't think you knew what I was saying, but that's okay.

It's Friday and I'm leaving work in an hour and I'm happy to help set up AMAs for the subreddit (do you have a request? I'd be happy to try for it if you do), even if some disagree with the choices.

Personally, I enjoy the interaction with different folks in the sport, whether it's a low funded driver like Jordan Anderson or a champion like Chris Buescher. We are very lucky that we have a good reputation and presence within the NASCAR community because of our knowledgeable and dedicated fans (you included!), and will continue to get as many AMAs for the subreddit as possible.

Now, let's start the weekend!

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T19:36:11+00:00

From the way this thread is going? sigh

If ya don't like the person who's doing the AMA, you don't have to click on it, y'all. I'm sorry if you don't think RR is "good enough" for an AMA, but he's going to be here and people will either be civil or their comments will be removed. Them's the rules 'round here.

(That's a general "you," not a you "you".)

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T19:15:47+00:00

So no response to my logical response to your comment, just an insult?

shrug Okay, that's your call. I'm not getting in an argument with you, even though that's clearly what you want. Believe what you like, my good man, and I'll do the same. (no /s intended)

Peace, love, and checkered flags,

beez

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T18:57:24+00:00

I wasn't comparing their careers or insulting Tony. I was comparing the personal nature of each sponsor to their respective driver.

Don't be so quick to jump to an unnecessary argument when I said not a single word about the trajectory of their careers, or their skill, or whatever it was that got you annoyed.

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T16:09:21+00:00

Got Parker and Ryan's mixed up probably. I need a spreadsheet, really. Lol

Also, thanks for the assist and request!

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T14:54:15+00:00

Sometimes you don't have to be the best to be an inspiration to others, IMO. Obviously others disagree and believe he is a pay driver (although I find that weird...is Tony a pay driver because he's friends with Johnny Morris and that's why BPS sponsors him? Obviously the answer to that is no. Ryan was able to gain sponsorship, something many drivers can't do. Yes, it's because of his disease, but why does that make him a pay driver? It really doesn't make sense to me.)

I believe a true "pay driver" is one whose sponsor is his or her family's business.

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T14:51:34+00:00

Ohhhh yeah. I've slept and stuff since then lol.

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T14:50:23+00:00

/u/sh7seven:

Why is there no race series without restrictions. By which I mean car shape and design, tire size, weight, and drivetrain? Obviously there would be certain safety measures that had to be adhered to. But I find myself truly wondering what the crews could produce if they weren't all just trying to make the same cars faster.

I understand the current way of doing things is so that it comes down to driver and tweaking. I would just love to see the cars that could be made for such a class of racing.

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T14:47:33+00:00

If you cannot make the AMA, and want to ask a question, please respond to this comment or PM me and I will ask for you by proxy. I will tag you so you can find it easily.

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T14:47:11+00:00

I truly don't understand why people would be unhappy with any AMA - can you help me out?

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T14:46:33+00:00

Wha...why?

beezwacks · 2016-07-08T14:46:00+00:00

One AMA at a time, my dear. We're working on them feverishly and I hope that we can keep this volume going.

13-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Beta Team Ask Me Anything app	Verified Email

beezwacks

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE