Are you a Cup, Nationwide, or Truck Series driver?

dpkimmel2001 · #1 01-11-2011, 04:51 AM

Well, they've done it..... When Kenny Wallace picked up his 2011 NASCAR competition, membership and license application last Saturday while taking a break from a Grand-Am Rolex Series test at Daytona, he knew at least one rumor was true. Wallace stopped on his way to the U.S. Post Office on Monday to tear open his license application and read the news. "The brand-new license forms that are out, there's a box and in it, it states that you have to mark -- put an X -- what championship you're running for," Wallace said, quoting his application. "A driver will only be permitted to earn driver championship points in one (1) of the following three series: NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Please select the series in which you would like to accumulate driver championship points. Choose one."

I wonder what they'll be taking about today on SNR?

down4six · #2 01-11-2011, 09:25 AM

I saw that last night. It has been rumored to be for awhile. I guess the days of trying to win multiple championships is over. I wish I would have listened to TMD this morning. My first impression is that it's a good thing, maybe it'll let more drivers drive in the Nationwide and Truck series, but I am reserving my right to change at the moment.

Sirius01_8 · #3 01-12-2011, 12:04 AM

At first glance this has massive train wreck written all over it, but only time will tell.

dpkimmel2001 · #4 01-12-2011, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius01_8

At first glance this has massive train wreck written all over it, but only time will tell.

I agree. Eventually one of these Cup drivers are still going to run most or the full Nationwide schedule. Sponsors will still dictate that. Be honest, when you think back to the 2010 Nationwide season what stands out more, Brad Keselowski's championship run or seeing Kyle Busch's 13 visits to victor lane? I think that this rule will backfire on NASCAR and we'll see a Nationwide driver collecting the hardware even tough he will be undeserving.

down4six · #5 01-13-2011, 06:43 AM

Are you saying it's going to back fire when a Sprint cup driver like KyBu complains that he won 13 races that he knew beforehand meant nothing point wise? Drivers are always complaining about how long the schedule is, how many appearances they have to make, etc., and there's young talent out there begging for rides. I see this as a solution to both, let drivers compete in one series so that more drivers can be employed. Heck, how many different series does Jimmy J compete in, and look how he's doing.

dpkimmel2001 · #6 01-13-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by down4six

Are you saying it's going to back fire when a Sprint cup driver like KyBu complains that he won 13 races that he knew beforehand meant nothing point wise? Drivers are always complaining about how long the schedule is, how many appearances they have to make, etc., and there's young talent out there begging for rides. I see this as a solution to both, let drivers compete in one series so that more drivers can be employed. Heck, how many different series does Jimmy J compete in, and look how he's doing.

I'm not quite sure how you interrupted my post in that manner but no, I didn't say anything about any driver complaining. I am saying that the idea behind this rule will backfire when you have a Cup regular earn more points than a Nationwide Series regular during that Nationwide run for the title. Whether the points are counted by NASCAR or not, the traditional points will be made available just as they are in the Cup Series. It will be nothing more than a paper champion in many fans eyes. I can't see where this rule does anything to fix anything. If it's to give more young talent a ride..... that's not going to happen. Just because a Cup driver can't win the Championship doesn't mean at all that a sponsor won't want him in their ride. Those sponsors want to see their driver in victory lane as many times as possible hence my original question..... Be honest, when you think back to the 2010 Nationwide season what stands out more, Brad Keselowski's championship run or seeing Kyle Busch's 13 visits to victor lane? I could be wrong but I feel pretty certain it would be the latter in most fan's minds.

down4six · #7 01-14-2011, 06:50 AM

To be honest, I didn't follow much of the Nationwide series last year, because it was more of Cryle Busch and Brad Crashalotski. That's my issue. It's like they are running 2 different races with the same set of drivers. I guess I am in the mindset that drivers develop their skills in the Nationwide series then "graduate" to the Sprint Cup. I mean why run two different series if the same drivers are running both days? Maybe they should just eliminate one and just expand the Sprint Cup schedule to 72 races.

Wolf · #8 01-14-2011, 09:40 AM

I'm not much into NASCAR, but when I do watch it I like to watch the Cup series and lately now I'm seeing billboards everywhere advertising for the Phoenix race.

NoWayHozay · #9 01-14-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by down4six

I mean why run two different series if the same drivers are running both days? Maybe they should just eliminate one and just expand the Sprint Cup schedule to 72 races.

People have been asking this question for years. The Busch Series hasn't had any real identity for a long time now. What is the point? It's too expensive for established teams to develop young talent or for start-up teams to run at all. Sponsors dictate drivers which is pretty much the same thing as buy-a-ride. There are only a handful of competitive teams and the results are very predictable. I have a hard time justifying expending any time or energy thinking about the series at all, which is a real shame.

Predictions for 2011:
Series Champion: Elliott Sadler
Series leader in Wins: Kyle Busch

Anyone disagree?

down4six · #10 01-16-2011, 09:23 AM

So wouldn't having a whole other set of drivers help give the Nationwide it's own identity? As for the sponsors only dealing with Sprint cup drivers, I have to disagree. I think if these drivers can pitch to a potential sponsor right now that there's a reduced number of drivers are running for the championship, and sponsoring a team that is basically running out there for fun isn't getting the most out of the sponsorship buck. It'll be interesting how this all pans out.