[DOF_power]

BUSCH: Pony Cars Coming To Series


Written by: Tom Jensen Loudon, N.H. – 9/15/2007

NASCAR hopes to inject new life into its Busch Series by changing the types of cars raced, beginning as early as 2009, according to multiple sources familiar with the project.

If plans go according to schedule, the next-generation Busch Series cars will be Chevrolet Camaros, Dodge Challengers, Ford Mustangs and an as-yet-to-be named Toyota model, sources said. Ford overhauled the Mustang as a 1960s-retro model in 2005, to positive critical and commercial results. Chevrolet and Dodge will release similarly retro-themed Camaros and Challengers, respectively, by the 2009 model year.

The Mustang, Camaro and Challenger all are two-door coupes with rear-wheel drive and available V-8 engines, a hugely popular combination in the halcyon days of 1960s muscle cars. A switch to these cars – plus whichever model Toyota chooses to campaign – would make a huge amount of sense, as it would help the NASCAR Busch Series have its own distinct identity apart from Nextel Cup and help remove the stigma of the series as “Cup Lite,” as some call it now.

“That way, out top three divisions each have their own models,” said a NASCAR source, who said the new models will be built on the old-style NASCAR Nextel Cup chassis, which are in plentiful supply as the Cup Car of Tomorrow will make the older Cup cars obsolete next year.

Currently, the four automakers who compete in both the Busch and Cup series use cars that are either identical or of the same class of cars. Fords runs the Fusion and Toyota the Camry in both series, while Dodge uses the Charger in Busch and the Avenger in Cup, and Chevy campaigns Monte Carlos in Busch and Impala SS models in Cup.

The Busch Series has been something of a dichotomy in recent years. On one hand, NASCAR claims it’s the second-most popular form of auto racing in America, but on the other hand it’s lost some of its uniqueness as the Busch have become more populated by Nextel Cup regulars and less by young drivers looking to work their way up to Nextel Cup.

Sources familiar with the project said NASCAR has discussed the idea of switching cars with the manufacturers and has received a positive reception for the idea.

[DOF_power]

Finally some (somewhat) stock cars.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

BUSCH: Pony Cars Coming To Series


Written by: Tom Jensen [b]Loudon, N.H. – 9/15/2007

– would make a huge amount of sense, as it would help the NASCAR Busch Series have its own distinct identity apart from Nextel Cup and help remove the stigma of the series as “Cup Lite,” as some call it now.




The Busch Series has been something of a dichotomy in recent years. On one hand, NASCAR claims it’s the second-most popular form of auto racing in America, but on the other hand it’s lost some of its uniqueness as the Busch have become more populated by Nextel Cup regulars and less by young drivers looking to work their way up to Nextel Cup.
.

This is the same article I reported on yesterday. Thanks for expanding what I posted.

"...something of a dichotomy..." I could have described the Cup Lite series in a number of terms, the one that jumps to mind is a hyphenated word with the first word being "cluster-." However, dichotomy wasn't one of the words I would have chosen;
"division into two mutually exclusive, opposed, or contradictory groups: a dichotomy between thought and action."

I don't think BGN and Cup Lite are as much opposed as they are simply on unequal footing or exclusive. Comparing the competition of the Busch teams to the Cup-affiliated teams is like comparing property values in the Detroit suburbs to property values in Manhattan. True, both are real estate but there the commonality ends. They are apples and oranges.

Whatever, giving the [Whatever the Series will be called next season] Series a distinct identity and discouraging the Cup Raiders from using the Series as a paid test period can only be good for the Series. It might even, (dare we hope) revert back to what it was in the early 80's when it was a platform where people who wanted to advance to Cup could do so, and those who were happy being a small fish in a big pond (Tommy Houston, Sam Ard, Jimmy Hensley, Tommy Ellis, to name a few) could likewise do so.

IF this all comes to pass, the BIG question will be: What can NA$CAR do to screw it up?

[PettyBlue]

It might even, (dare we hope) revert back to what it was in the early 80's when it was a platform where people who wanted to advance to Cup could do so, and those who were happy being a small fish in a big pond (Tommy Houston, Sam Ard, Jimmy Hensley, Tommy Ellis, to name a few) could likewise do so.

Bob,I agree but think it is said to be, a big fish in a small pond as far as those guys staying in Bush for the most part with a few runs in cup.Old age is hell ain't it,lol.

[Phils20]

I hope they do it!

And I hope then find a way to make the cars they use a bit closer to stock. I know that is really a big leap, but we can hope!

You could leave the bodies closer to stock looking, at least, and still make a safe frame and roll cage!

I vote for it!

[obrien]

I think that would be pretty cool to see. Now if they will just make the teams use engines from that manufacturer. Only problem for toyota is they don't have a rwd v8 ponycar.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by obrien

I think that would be pretty cool to see. Now if they will just make the teams use engines from that manufacturer. Only problem for toyota is they don't have a rwd v8 ponycar.

No problem. The Impala's aren't rwd either.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

No problem. The Impala's aren't rwd either.

FWD would increase the chances of the cup kids not showing up. Anything wrong with that ???

Of course Schrader would be there even if they were driven by rubber bands.

[oncea3fan]

this would be a really good idea, a different product(cars) to promote.
more identiflable to the low buck masses(pony cars) and they could add a few more road courses, as like the old Tran am series.

[Racer Duck]

just a little thing: wheelbase.

current cup car = 110 inches
current Busch car = 105 inches
Camaro - 101 inches
Mustang - 107 inches
Challenger - 116 inches
GTO - 116 inches

so tell me again, how are they gonna use those old cup chassis?

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

just a little thing: wheelbase.

current cup car = 110 inches
current Busch car = 105 inches
Camaro - 101 inches
Mustang - 107 inches
Challenger - 116 inches
GTO - 116 inches

so tell me again, how are they gonna use those old cup chassis?

That would be the cup teams problem!

Our concern is seeing good racing!

[DOF_power]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

this would be a really good idea, a different product(cars) to promote.
more identiflable to the low buck masses(pony cars) and they could add a few more road courses, as like the old Tran am series.

Yep, also some dirt tracks would be nice too.