race team union

[Matt Albee]

Bruton Smith agrees. Bruton and NASCAR have often butted heads over the years, but in this case there is no dissention:

"What I know about it, of course I don't like it...If NASCAR needs us, we're there with NASCAR on the deal. We're there every day, every hour, if they need us."--B Smith

At least until the owners group calls Bruton and suggests creating a new sanctioning body using all of the Bruton Smith tracks. Bruton hates anything that even resembles a union, but he'll turn on NASCAR in a second if he can make money ( and get publicity ) by doing it.

[luke81]

At least until the owners group calls Bruton and suggests creating a new sanctioning body using all of the Bruton Smith tracks. Bruton hates anything that even resembles a union, but he'll turn on NASCAR in a second if he can make money ( and get publicity ) by doing it.

I thought that too, but when you look at what he owns I don't think it's possible. Of the 8 tracks he owns that NASCAR uses now 5 of them are the cookie cutter 1.5 milers that most of us are so tired of. Then you throw in Bristol, Sonoma and Loudon. I just don't see that being possible, because I think that SMI stands to make WAY more money staying with NASCAR than running something separate.
In stick and ball sports the team owners have a large stake in running the whole operation. In NASCAR the team owners have pretty much squat say in things. I think this is a play to get some of that power, and long term save money (or make more)

[egspeedway]

Like it or not Bruton and the Frances are stuck in an acrimonius marriage. As previously stated 5 of Brutons tracks are the despicable cookie cutters that serve only to induce sleep. In truth there are not enough cars or sponsors to support anything beyond what we have now. Nascar will have to keep doing what it is now like covering large sections of stands to give the appearance of a good crowd and it would not surprise me to see fields reduced to 40 cars. The best we can hope from this union would be some innovative ways to increase sponsorships through some innovative changes to the racing format that would make it more exciting for the fans