[vincesanity82]

Jacques Villeneuve would join Columbian Juan Pablo Montoya as the second former Formula One star joining the Nextel Cup ranks. There's also rumors flying that American driver Scott Speed, who spent the 2006 season and half of the season in Formula One, is ready to take the NASCAR plunge. "You know, I certainly think it shows that our sport is being respected on a worldwide scale," reigning Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said. "I think that as Juan has come in and lived the experiences of Nextel Cup racing, it has shown how difficult our sport is. It's unclear what Jacques will bring, and then if Scott Speed is able to come in and run as well, but it can't hurt. It's only good for our sport. -- Hartford Courant

Shawn Courchesne | Auto Racing: The New Formula: Jacques Villeneuve Ready To Test The NASCAR Waters

[bob101]

I'm not sure it has anything to do with world respect for NASCAR now.

NASCAR offers two things to racers who are currently in other series who are not in the top 5 in F1.

Racing, all the other series have a much smaller race schedule. Nobody races as much as NASCAR does. F1 is the next runner up, but unless your in the top 5 you have ZERO chance to win. Even in today's NASCAR there's a chance the top 43 car can win on the outside chance...or a fuel mileage race etc...

Money. Again unless you are standing on the podium in F1 and those don't change from week to week - your not making the big bucks. Move to series like Indy/Cart and Champ and it's even more laughable compared to NASCAR.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by bob101

I'm not sure it has anything to do with world respect for NASCAR now.

NASCAR offers two things to racers who are currently in other series who are not in the top 5 in F1.

Racing, all the other series have a much smaller race schedule. Nobody races as much as NASCAR does. F1 is the next runner up, but unless your in the top 5 you have ZERO chance to win. Even in today's NASCAR there's a chance the top 43 car can win on the outside chance...or a fuel mileage race etc...

Money. Again unless you are standing on the podium in F1 and those don't change from week to week - your not making the big bucks. Move to series like Indy/Cart and Champ and it's even more laughable compared to NASCAR.

not true; WOO has 82 races scheduled in 2007, NASCAR cup has 36, F1 and IRL each have 17.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

not true; WOO has 82 races scheduled in 2007, NASCAR cup has 36, F1 and IRL each have 17.

who is "woo" Ducky?

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

who is "woo" Ducky?

World of Outlaws. they race the winged sprint cars that usually make the newsreels with their hair raising flips and rolls. Dave Blaney is a past WOO champ and there are others. it's basically an 850 hp engine in a 1400 lb car with a giant wing on top. you can read more about them at Sprint

[bob101]

Compare those 87 races in exposure and money to NASCAR tho....

I'm sure you could race late model dirt cars 3 nights a week all year long too...that doesn't mean you get any prestige or money with it tho.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

not true; WOO has 82 races scheduled in 2007

doesnt seem like such a great comparison though .... i dont think anyone would consider WOO a step up ..... Steve Kinser is the king of WOO and he was basically laughed out of NASCAR

[bob101]

I'm not putting WOO down either. I've been to a few of their races and enjoyed them a lot - they just don't make it this part of the world often.

However, when it comes to exposure and money...no way it compares to NASCAR....when was the last time you saw a WOO driver in a commercial ($$$) that wasn't automotive related?