Talk:2010 Auto Club 500/GA1

GA Review

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Reviewer: SamH (talk) 09:52, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, I'll post a review soon. SamH (talk) 09:52, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I think that the main problem with this article is that there needs to be more background information and explanation about the race. Currently the article contains most of the bare facts but doesn't offer enough explanation for people who are not familiar with NASCAR. Specific points that I think should be added or clarified are:

Presumably the race was broadcast live, so maybe this should be stated.
- Added. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:38, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
How many drivers and how many teams entered and what makes of car were used. Were there any notable absentees?
- Added. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:38, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
A little bit of background about who the drivers so you can understand who the front-runners are would be good. For example, who was leading the championship, who won the race last year, who was the reigning champion?
- Added. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:38, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Explain what the schedule of practices and qualifying were. I.e. when were they held?
Why did the three drivers not qualify?
- I added in a few details. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:38, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Is an invocation usual practice?
- This happens and has happened in every NASCAR race. It would be redundant to list this fact in each race article. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:38, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
"Jamie McMurray led them to the green flag". I think the meaning of this needs to be more explicit.
- I clarified this sentence. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:38, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
What is a green-flag pit stop? Why is it different to any other pit stop?
- I added an explanation. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:38, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
The first time it's mentioned, I think there should be some explanation of what a caution is.
- I added an explanation here as well. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:38, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
It's mentioned that Montoya collided with the wall but not that his engine failed.
- His engine did not fail. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:38, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
"The fourth caution, caused by the exploding engine of Ryan Newman..." Did the engine actually explode or is there a more factual term for what happened?
- I reworded this sentence. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:43, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
"Gordon, caused by a poor restart, was passed..." Presumably this means Gordon did a poor job of getting away but I think this should be clearer.
- I clarified this sentence. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:43, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Other info that would be nice but I don't think is necessary for a good article:

Any noteworthy incidents in the practice and qualifying sessions. E.g crashes, stoppages, ruction between competitors.
How many spectators attended and how many watched on TV. How did these compare to other races and the same race last year.
Was there any international TV coverage?
Quotes from the drivers and team personnel.
Media assessment of the race and the drivers' performances.

I know it's a different sort of racing, but have a look at this good article for an idea of what sort of info could be included: 2008 French Grand Prix.

Also, the writing seems a bit clunky in places and drivers are linked multiple times. I've had a go at editing it; hope this is OK. All of the other criteria are fine. SamH (talk) 11:15, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I have addressed the important bullet points above. I don't think the five bullet points in the optional section are necessary. ~NerdyScienceDude (✉ • ✐) 13:43, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I made a couple more small changes but two things are still not clear to me. One is why the three drivers didn't qualify. Presumably they didn't set a fast enough time; if so, that should be explicit. Also, the race report on the NASCAR site says Montoya went "into the wall" on lap 141 but the LA Times article says his engine failed on lap 140 and doesn't mention a crash so I'm not quite sure what happened. SamH (talk) 18:31, 20 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Well, I think it's close to meeting the requirements but nothing has been done for a while now so I think it has to fail. :( SamH (talk) 12:20, 1 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]