[vincesanity82]

If this year's trend toward NASCAR partnerships and mergers has made one thing clear, it's that team owners still believe races and championships will be won by the teams with the most resources. And where do these partnerships and mergers leave smaller teams, such as Petty Enterprises and Wood Brothers/JTG Racing, or newer teams such as Hall of Fame Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing? Well, even farther behind. "Every team is going to do what they can to be competitive," defending Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said. "There is no doubt that having the fourth car out there is a benefit and is helpful. You bring in more capital, you have more resources, more people, another car on track for notes and experience and all those types of things." -- Tampa Tribune

NASCAR Partnerships, Mergers Hurt Small Teams

[jks812]

I believe it hurts the smaller teams. Like they say, the more you got the more you get. But I don't think Nascar wants the smaller teams anymore. I really believe Nascar wants as few of owners as possible.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by jks812

I believe it hurts the smaller teams. Like they say, the more you got the more you get. But I don't think Nascar wants the smaller teams anymore. I really believe Nascar wants as few of owners as possible.

they better be cautious about what they wish for .. sometimes the pet becomes a man-eater. so far the "mega" teams haven't banded together to "run" NASCAR .. but as there are fewer and fewer of them that'll change. when it does, there won't be any small teams - except as tokens.

[jks812]

They think they're doing something by limiting the owners to 4 teams, but they're not. Everybody knows that Roush has 5 teams, but how many is he really listed as the owner on? Same with Hendrick, he has 4 but how many is he really listed as the owner on? No matter what Nascar calls themselves trying to do, the owners will get around it. And meanwhile, the small teams will just disappear, and thats a shame.

[harvick29]

i think all the mergers happening all at once like this has a lot to do with toyota coming in to the sport.all the teams want to step it up because its only going to take time for toyota to become a force in this sport and when they do its going to be hard to keep up with their pocket book.i agree about the multiple cars being owned by one team being a problem.4 cars per team changes nothing there was allready a rule that you can only have 2 cars per owner but they have avoided that by puttin their other cars in other peoples names.with hendricks 4 cars roushs 5 cars and then the teams they both supply engines or chassis to both teams have about 10 cars each that they are a part of. thats 20 combined half of the field in a race.how does a single car team even have a chance. i always thought the best thing for the sport would be eliminate the teams all together or atleast a 2 car max period no loop holes.could you imagine the rivalrys with no teamates.every driver for themselves now that would be fun to watch.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by harvick29

i think all the mergers happening all at once like this has a lot to do with toyota coming in to the sport.all the teams want to step it up because its only going to take time for toyota to become a force in this sport and when they do its going to be hard to keep up with their pocket book.i agree about the multiple cars being owned by one team being a problem.4 cars per team changes nothing there was allready a rule that you can only have 2 cars per owner but they have avoided that by puttin their other cars in other peoples names.with hendricks 4 cars roushs 5 cars and then the teams they both supply engines or chassis to both teams have about 10 cars each that they are a part of. thats 20 combined half of the field in a race.how does a single car team even have a chance. i always thought the best thing for the sport would be eliminate the teams all together or atleast a 2 car max period no loop holes.could you imagine the rivalrys with no teamates.every driver for themselves now that would be fun to watch.

fun? yes. probable? no.

even if every team had to be independent, they would form some sort of partnership in R&D, engines, chassis, wind-tunnel, etc. so it'd just be a different way to get around the # of teams rule...

[bob101]

How many 4 or 4+ car teams were in Nascar when Nascar decided to make 4 the maximum? Two teams?

Soon as they decided 4 was the maximum everyone went hell bent to get to 4 teams.

Mergers and big teams may hurt small teams, but let's be honest. Except on very rare ocassions - all 1-2 car teams are sideshows at the race. An owner who wants to dabble, a driver who is glad to have a ride etc...

[LSC9901]

Multi car teams are all a part of the evolution of NASCAR. This would be the evolution that turns NASCAR into the WWF type of entertainment show versus what it started as 50 years ago.

[King43STP]

Originally Posted by jks812

They think they're doing something by limiting the owners to 4 teams, but they're not. Everybody knows that Roush has 5 teams, but how many is he really listed as the owner on? Same with Hendrick, he has 4 but how many is he really listed as the owner on? No matter what Nascar calls themselves trying to do, the owners will get around it. And meanwhile, the small teams will just disappear, and thats a shame.

At the beginning of this season Jack Roush 'owned' 2 cars, Rick Hendrick 'owned' 2 cars. There was only one team owner that 'owned' more Teresa Earnhardt with 3. If you want to see present ownership check out Jayski's® Silly Season Site. If I remember correctly, and this dates from no later than 2000, Under NASCAR rules car ownership is limited to 2 cars.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by King43STP

At the beginning of this season Jack Roush 'owned' 2 cars, Rick Hendrick 'owned' 2 cars. There was only one team owner that 'owned' more Teresa Earnhardt with 3. If you want to see present ownership check out Jayski's® Silly Season Site. If I remember correctly, and this dates from no later than 2000, Under NASCAR rules car ownership is limited to 2 cars.

how is that different from "team" ownership? current NASCAR rules allow 4 teams per owner (with the exception of Roush who is allowed his current 5 until 2010, I believe).

[tkj24]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

how is that different from "team" ownership? current NASCAR rules allow 4 teams per owner (with the exception of Roush who is allowed his current 5 until 2010, I believe).

Personally I think Roush would be better off to go to 4 teams and quit spreading his assets so thin.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by tkj24

Personally I think Roush would be better off to go to 4 teams and quit spreading his assets so thin.

ok, if you're Roush, who do you cut? Kenseth, Biffle, Edwards, McMurray or Ragan?

[tkj24]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

ok, if you're Roush, who do you cut? Kenseth, Biffle, Edwards, McMurray or Ragan?

Biffle they say is wanting to leave anyway. Let him go or cut Ragan. He hasn't showed me alot this year either.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

they better be cautious about what they wish for .. sometimes the pet becomes a man-eater. so far the "mega" teams haven't banded together to "run" NASCAR .. but as there are fewer and fewer of them that'll change. when it does, there won't be any small teams - except as tokens.

BINGO!

You hit the nail right on the head.

Imagine this: Five or six team owners, with four teams each, and backing equal to that of The Fenway Group, George Gillette, Donald Trump, Bobby Ginn, Dell Webb Holdings, etc., etc. (You get the picture)

One day these teams meet and decide why should they share their fortunes with NASCAR/ISC? Why should they place themselves in positions where NASCAR, in rule infraction rulings, can rule AGAINST them? Why do they even NEED NASCAR/ISC? They have the money, the connections and the wherewithal to start their own racing series!

This is what happened to CART before Tony George made his pitiful attempt to bring good competition back to open wheel in America.

Bruton has already indicated on a number of occasions that he'd like to start his own racing series, run the way HE wants to run one. Just imagine if Bruton would have the above exampled backing...