6-20-2007 - Jeff Olson's take on Colin and NASCAR

Written by: Jeff Olson, RACER Magazine Indianapolis, Ind. – 6/20/2007

• Colin Braun is headed for NASCAR. If this doesn‘t make sports car fans weep, nothing will. Can’t say I blame him, as that’s where the money and opportunities are, but it’s a blow to the road-racing side of the game. Again, it’s more evidence of the twisted state of affairs in American racing, where NASCAR is king and quality in any other flavor is ignored. The ridiculous popularity of a stock car racing is truly discouraging to the thinking race fan open to other motorsports experiences. Of course, just because The Jerry Springer Show gets big ratings doesn’t mean it’s quality material. Nor does it mean is has any redeeming social value. It only means a large number of Americans fill their leisure time with garbage.

Picture above -  At least phenom Colin Braun (middle) got a taste of Le Mans success with a podium place in GT2 before the NASCAR Effect sets in. (LAT photo)