If you are a true Nascar Fan you will stay a Nascar fan through thick and thin. Nascar to the true race fan is not just the car name make or model. It is the whole deal, driver, team, crew chief, owner and the thousands and thousands of loyal fans. The rivalries emotion and interaction with the overall experiance is what makes Nascar.
I have been to the Coke 600 in Charlotte over 20 times, The Nov 500 race in Charlotte 12 times, Atlanta 15 times, Bristol night race 7 times (absolute best race and event of the season), The twin 125's at daytona 20 times (best races of the year on a Super Speedway) Daytona 500 5 times (yawn) Pepsi 400 in Daytona 12 times, Homestead 10 times, Talladega 2 times, Rockingham 1 time (the final Cup Race there). Had a blast at all of them. I don't drink before or during the race and have the best seats around people who are sobber and fun. I drink a beer or 3 after the race.
Having told that I must tell that in the last year I stopped all race events live ( I TIVO and watch all Truck, Busch and Cup).
The cost to get to and attend an event has become too costly for the amount of entertainment received.
It will be interesting to see what teams show up at Daytona in 09. I personally feel it will be hard for 43 teams to get r done.
Congrats to Toyota on their acheivements this year and may the best manufacturer win, I am a Driver fan not a car make fan.
So it is what it is, either watch it and enjoy or don't worry about it.