What do you think of Humpy Wheelers idea?

Question

I was watching a Wind Tunnel w/ Dave Despain last night on my DVR from this past Sunday since I hadn't had a chance to watch it yet. I was enjoying the 15 or so minutes of Humpy when I was baffled by one of his ideas for NASCAR... It was to color code the teams in some way so that all team cars could be recognized as that car. (I.E. - like in football or baseball.. a uniform for the car basically) Last night when I saw this I thought about how crazy a ridiculous it sounded, and like Dave, the first thing I thought of were sponsors and how they would flip their lid on this idea. That is why I really think this will never happen, because NASCAR (unlike most sports) is a SPONSOR driven sport. Lets face it, w/out sponsors we wouldn't have the NASCAR we have today. Now... w/ that said, after sleeping on it last night and thinking about it this morning.. the more it has grown on me. I think it'd add something back to the sport that we haven't seen in a while and truthfully would be neat as..

Answer 1

I think color coding the whole car would be a bad idea, and like you and others have already mentioned, bad for sponsorship $$.

But, something more subtle could work IF needed. HMS already practices some of this with the florescent green numbers on the side of their cars. Well, except for Jr. But the other three HMS men all have them.

I'm not sure I see the need, but if they did decide to do it, to some degree, I am sure there is away to make it work out for all parties involved without effecting the sponsors and entire color scheme of the car.

Answer 2

I laughed quite hysterically and realized why he was retiring when I heard that.   Plus he stole that idea from that new racing series that was supposed to start up several years back that went bankrupt during development.  I believe it was to be called Team Auto Racing with color coded cars representing several different cities.

Answer 3

I think the sponsors would freak.  The major sponsor usually picks a color set for the entire car.  They would not want someone telling them what color the car could be.  Can you imagine a green Bud car or a blue Home Depot car?

The bumper idea is OK but with NASCAR having so many teams (and some small teams on run certain tracks adding to the problem if 2 teams with the same color showed up at the same track for say Daytona) you would run out of colors that are distinct enough to tell the difference in a pack of cars going past at 180 mph.

Answer 4

In theory it's a good idea, but would never be able to work.  Like Despain said, the sponsors wouldn't dig the idea.  I believe the people who make up the race audience know by the time they get to the track what their driver's car looks like and will pick it out of the bunch instantly.  If not, the car number then will serve as any further needed ID.

Besides this one, Humpy comes up with some great ideas...NASCAR would be well served to at least consider some of them to make the sport more entertaining.

Answer 5

It's pretty unnecessary. Fans know what teams the drivers are one and if they are new, they will learn eventually like we all did.

Answer 6

I don't think this would work. The sponsors have too much control of placement, color, number of ads, etc.

Not every car could pull off a scheme like Dale Sr.'s black Goodwrench car.

Let's picture Jeff Gordon's DuPont car with no flames, but pinstripes.

Tony Stewart in the purple Home Depot Car.

Jimmie Johnson in the Beige and red Lowe's car.

It would look like a parade in San Francisco.

But I'm sure it would attract a whole new fan base......

Answer 7

DEI already does it and it looks great the logo on the side that bud car just doesnt look the same with out the DEI logo on its side

Answer 8

All the drivers and most of the fans already know what team a certain driver drives for.  It really wouldn't serve much of a purpose except for the novice fan.  The sponsors are very particular about the paint schemes so I don't think it is a viable idea.  But it wouldn't  bother me either way.

Answer 9

i don't see any benefit to it. as a matter of fact the team racing concept has probably helped in making racing alot more boring. racing is supposed to bring out the competitive juices in people. letting your teamates lead a lap, blocking for teamates, even sharing information goes against the concept of racing. every driver should be out to win every race for himself, not help other people, this is an individual  sport not a not a team sport unless they start running relays. next they will have pre race game plans.

Answer 10

Like others have said, I really don't see the point. However, I could be wrong (I am a lot).

Answer 11

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. There's no reason at all to change the way the cars are now. Unless you're a Nascar newbie, you already know who drives what car by the number and main sponsor on the car.

Answer 12

They could color code the wing and the splitter without effecting the sponsor but I don't see any reason to do it ! Everyone knows what cars belong to the teams !

Answer 13

Ya know...   Before Humpy mentioned that idea, I was thinking the same thing.  They could issue a certain color for the team and display it on the rear bumper like they do the yellow stripe for a rookie.  That way it doesn't interfere with any of the sponsorship.

Answer 14

You could just do something on the roof or the bumpers to identify the teams.  I like the idea, especially if there are similarly colored cars on the track.

3 STR8 N 08!!!

Answer 15

I can see where it wouldn't be a bad idea, but your right the sponsors wouldn't have it.

And most nascar fans know which driver belongs to which team anyway.

Answer 16

The colors and sponsors are signature of that one driver.  The team wheres the same uniform like Budweiser, I don't think that the whole organization should where the same colors.

Answer 17

All this team racing has taken away the real racing. It used to be each man for himself but now its about protecting my teamate or don't pass my teamate. Rick hendrick and Jack Roush started this racing years ago and they are about to drive the nail in the coffin. In other words they are trying to kill the golden goose. Nascar racing today is so boring. i.e. Gordon Jr and johnson never really race each other.  enough said