USA Today Sports
Any NASCAR fan worth their salt agreed that Sunday’s Southern 500 was nothing short of magical. There were the throwback cars. The throwback firesuits were on point. NBC covered their bases with old-school commercials and logos. Goodyear did great with the throwback lettering on their slicks. Then there was the case of the Jarrett’s, Ned and Dale, along with Ken Squier in the booth. Squier could make a dog show sound like three laps to go in the Daytona 500. Of course, the racing was great with the rules package NASCAR was testing.
This was the sort of weekend where NASCAR did everything right and they should be proud of their efforts. A weekend like this only comes along once in a long while, and for that they need to only make this a one-time deal. At least a once every-so-often deal. To repeat this thing and make into a large spectacle like the All-Star race would be to cheapen it. Although it may rake in an obscene amount of money, it wouldn’t be as special a night as September 6, 2015 was.
More from NASCAR
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Will Kevin Harvick’s major record ever be broken?
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
It’s not too much to ask of NASCAR to leave this alone now, at least for awhile. How many throwback schemes can the drivers alternate? What would be the point when it gets to a moment in time where one driver does, say, a Harry Gant scheme, only for a different driver to do the same exact thing the next year?
For that matter, as much of an answer to race fan’s prayers it would be if Squier and Ned Jarrett returned to the booth full-time (face it, Darrell Waltrip has outlived his usefulness in the booth), it’s not something that would settle with NASCAR’s plans on reaching a new audience. Those are voices for long-time fans, fans who remember the 1993 Dale-and-Dale show or the all-time NASCAR staple, the 1979 Daytona 500. They are not the voices of now.
Admittedly so, the old-school logos and commercials (including the Coca-Cola “Mean Joe Green” commercial) were perfect for the fans of the old-school group. There was just something about those that gave viewers a glimpse, however brief, of a simpler yet beautiful time in the sport. That may seem a bit wordy or cheesy, but that’s the best this writer can come up with to describe it. But with that being said, to try and repeat this formula would be to commit overkill.
So, for the love of all that is holy in the sport of NASCAR, they should do this one thing and keep the throwback weekend a sporadic happening or not repeat it at all. Throwback weekend was a chance to celebrate all that is loved and treasured in NASCAR including the rich history of the sport. It may have been a huge, roaring success by business standards, but don’t try repeating it.
Attach a title sponsor to the Brickyard 400? Fine. Almost erase the fact that before it was known as the Coca-Cola 600, it was the World 600? Do what’s best. But come whatever may, leave the throwback weekend alone now.