The man who killed the Rock
Anyone remember Francis Ferko? Folks around Rockingham sure do. He's the guy who sued NASCAR in 2002 because, in short, Texas had only one Cup date.
Anyway, he sat down with Dallas Morning News columnist Kevin Blackistone (reg. req.). For the record, Ferko says he wasn't doing Bruton Smith's dirty work, didn't receive a dime in the settlement and said he's "disappointed" that the Rock lost its Cup dates.
So why did he sue: "The reason I began the suit to get the race in Texas was because I was impressed by how TMS took care of the fans."
I wonder what fans of the Rock think about that last statement.
Comments (9)
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Texas deserved another race, but not at the rock's expense. But it does no good to argue about it now, it's done and theres nothing we can do to change it.
Posted on April 15, 2005 7:00 PM
Good point, Matt. But I thought Ferko's comments were, ah, illuminating.
Posted on April 15, 2005 7:04 PM
Welcome to the business side of NASCAR. If it wasn't for Mr. Ferko, NASCAR would have probably moved the dates to one of their new tracks or a track to be built.
The bad weather dates did not encourage fans to attend, as evidenced by the 45,000 or so that would attend.
On a similar subject I go past Wilkesboro about twice a month on my way to our place in the mountains. That hurts even more because the short tracks are my favorites.
Posted on April 15, 2005 8:35 PM
Well if it counts for anything, the supposed New York City track will be approx. 7/8's, kinda like Richmond. Not a bad idea I suppose. At least it won't be a 1.5 miler.
Posted on April 15, 2005 9:47 PM
Yeah, Matt, I think the NYC crew is doing the right thing by building smaller instead of bigger. The Richmond races are usually among the best of the season. (OK, that's my hometown, so I'm biased. But still.)
Of course, a new NYC track probably means someone else will lose a Cup date. Martinsville, Darlington and Watkins Glen seem the most likely candidates. (ISC owns all three and is building the Staten Island track.)
If someone could just figure out a way to take dates from Pocono or Dover instead, this might could work out.
Posted on April 16, 2005 1:35 PM
Agree. 1 time in Pocono is more than enough. Dover I've never been in love with, so it's no skin off my hide if they only have 1 race. I've read that a Cup race in Canada would replace Watkins Glen. We shall see.
Posted on April 16, 2005 5:08 PM
If NASCAR wants two road course dates, why not send the Cup guys to Mexico? Or maybe to VIR? If NASCAR could somehow sub VIR for Watkins Glen, the drivers would probably like it because it's so close to home. Of course, a VIR race wouldn't come about until M-ville lost a date or two -- Martinsville-Roanoke-the Triad can barely support two dates, much less three.
Posted on April 16, 2005 9:41 PM
lets think about it, nascar has a second date at its largest market(California) and doesn't even sell either dates out, there is a problem there, whereas you could sell out at a track (nahsville) and people would be satisfied.
-mike
Posted on January 19, 2007 12:44 AM
lets think about it, nascar has a second date at its largest market(California) and doesn't even sell either dates out, there is a problem there, whereas you could sell out at a track (nahsville) and people would be satisfied.
-mike
Posted on January 19, 2007 12:45 AM