[vincesanity82]

Now, how in the world do we get the same thing in the Buschwhacker-controlled (Hmmm, Nationwidewhackers doesn't roll off the tongue quite as easily, what will we do?) No. 2 series? Amazingly, the answer might be in the open-wheeled invasion that so many NASCAR fans loathe. Dario Franchitti, Patrick Carpentier, Sam Hornish Jr. and Jacques Villeneuve will join Juan Pablo Montoya and AJ Allmendinger in 2008, shutting many Cup drivers out of rides. And the list of open-wheelers making the switch will only grow. -- Long Island Press

The Postrace Inspection: Open-Wheeled Invasion Could Save Nationwide Series

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Now, how in the world do we get the same thing in the Buschwhacker-controlled (Hmmm, Nationwidewhackers doesn't roll off the tongue quite as easily, what will we do?) No. 2 series? Amazingly, the answer might be in the open-wheeled invasion that so many NASCAR fans loathe. Dario Franchitti, Patrick Carpentier, Sam Hornish Jr. and Jacques Villeneuve will join Juan Pablo Montoya and AJ Allmendinger in 2008, shutting many Cup drivers out of rides. And the list of open-wheelers making the switch will only grow. -- Long Island Press

The Postrace Inspection: Open-Wheeled Invasion Could Save Nationwide Series

I'm trying to decide whether I want to object to that statement or not. But, while I'm deciding...

Each of these open-wheelers is a Champion in their previous endeavors and toiled years in their sport to achieve "Champion level." Perhaps Montoya is the least qualified by accomplishments to be included in this group, but he has proved a capable pilot in NASCAR. These guys are not unproven commodities to be dismissed with a pointing of the nose upward and a flick of the wrist. Given proper hardware and manpower to support their "invasion", I believe each will also excel in Cup. Yes, the hardware is different, the racing is different, the number of competitors in any given race is different and the race strategies are different. But the primary goal of every driver and the techniques learned by running thousands of laps are not. The weight of responsibilities to the sponsors are the same, the pressure to produce are the same and the circus atmosphere of the pre-race is the same. The media may be a bit more "aggressive" than they've experienced, but not much different in how they "report" and/or "analyze" results. The names and faces and locations may be different, but it's the same old game they've been playing, successfully, for years.

I am going to object to this guy's statement.

These are not undeserving, untested combatants in what we believe to be an elite racing series, they are capable and deserving! That there may be some lesser drivers who must make way is simply an age old custom: survival of the fittest. For whatever reason, specific owners have courted these Champions and are making room in their organizations for them. These owners are not consumed by "tradition" nor are they beholden to the "good ole boy" network to supply them competent competitors. They are successful business people in the sport of auto racing and, as such, are continually trying to improve their stable.

And "Too Bad" that some current Cup drivers may be out of a ride. If their credentials were closer to these gentelmen, it might be a different story.

What I find most interesting about this "invasion" is these guys are going to Toyota and Dodge teams .. manufacturers with non-USA ownership and team owners who have competed successfully in open-wheel for years.

[disco stu]

Do you think that the influx of these "open-wheelers" as well as the participation of the likes of Dodge and Toyota might possibly disengage or even alienate a lot of the dyed-in-the-wool NASCAR fans?

Could the series becoming more cosmopolitan (in every regard) serve to have a negative impact on the sense of ownership which many fans may have previously felt about it?

I hope not.

NASCAR is THE American motorsport isn't it?

Obviously,though, to have the very best talent on show is also highly desirable.

Has there been a concerted effort by NASCAR to attract talent from other disciplines, or is it just working out that way?

[Racer Duck]

Great questions, DS! I hope I can communicate my thoughts as clearly.

Do you think that the influx of these "open-wheelers" as well as the participation of the likes of Dodge and Toyota might possibly disengage or even alienate a lot of the dyed-in-the-wool NASCAR fans?

open-wheelers? probably not a lot .. there's lots of open-wheeler drivers currently and in the past who have "visited" NASCAR .. some have even stayed.

Dodge & Toyota? not Dodge, it's a US marque even though non-US owned. But definitely Toyota.

Could the series becoming more cosmopolitan (in every regard) serve to have a negative impact on the sense of ownership which many fans may have previously felt about it?

definitely! part of the problem, as I see it, is the drivers (the stars of NASCAR) have become less available to the fans. partly because of the money and partly because of time constraints on their lives. they are no longer the kid down the street, but mega-millionaires who live their lives in high, fast circles (no pun intended) and are surrounded by "security" to protect the owner's/sponsor's investment. the days of the "good ole boys" in the sport are numbered...

NASCAR is THE American motorsport isn't it?

I think it shares the title with drag racing (NHRA, IHRA, etc.), and to a lesser extent with Stadium-cross and Monster Trucks.

Has there been a concerted effort by NASCAR to attract talent from other disciplines, or is it just working out that way?

actually, I think it's the other way around. because of NASCAR's popularity there's more drivers than ever before who are looking for a piece of the $$$ pie that is NASCAR. when they see a guaranteed quarter million dollar paycheck to start the Daytona 500; or $50K for last place in the most recent race .. then it isn't hard to understand why the draw. plus, believe it or not, race car drivers have large egos (yeah, they really, really do!) so to add the NASCAR feather to their bonnet is a huge ego boost.

[disco stu]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

...plus, believe it or not, race car drivers have large egos (yeah, they really, really do!) so to add the NASCAR feather to their bonnet is a huge ego boost.

Racing drivers with big egos?....no, no, no....that surely can't be right RD!!!!

Still, better for their motivation to be wanting to add the prestige of a NASCAR drive to their resume than it only being for the money.

Well, that's what I think.

We have no drag racing activity at all here.

Does it have the same scale of following as NASCAR? Or would the "THE American motorsport" tag be more applicable for cultural/historical reasons? (if you see what I mean).

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by disco stu

Does it have the same scale of following as NASCAR? Or would the "THE American motorsport" tag be more applicable for cultural/historical reasons? (if you see what I mean).

just as there are small oval tracks all over the country, there are also small drag strips. each seems to have it's own following, though occasionally they intermingle.

as an example "intermingling", one of the "local" tracks I frequent as a competitor, Houston Motorsports Park, has a 3/8 mile asphalt oval with weekly shows on Saturday nites and a 1/8 mile dragstrip immediately adjacent and sharing the same pit/garage area with weekly shows on Friday nites.

like stock car racing, an enthusiast can get involved for very little money. unlike stock car racing, often the family car is the "first ride".

as far as "the big leagues", NHRA (the oldest) and IHRA compete for fan share, but seem to co-exist otherwise. And there are revered names in the sport like "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Kenny Bernstein, John Force, Shirley Muldowney, Don Prudhomme, Connie Kalitta and a dozen others.

finally, part of the popularity of drag racing is the "open pits", fans can actually wander thru the pits and watch the teams working on the cars

and if you've never felt the vibrations of an 8000 hp top fuel dragster as it raps on the starting line and then thunders down the quarter mile strip in 5 seconds reaching speeds of over 330 mph, you have truly missed one of motorsports marvels. to have witnessed it via video/TV is one thing, but to be there in person brings it to a much higher level - a real adrenalin rush!

yes, I'd say drag racing and NASCAR are equals and coexist well together (thought the "straight-liners" and "roundy-rounders" favorite past time is throwing verbal jabs at each other)

[DOF_power]

>



^ The open pits idea is what I like about drag racing.

When I saw this on TV I couldn't belive it. In F1 that would never be possible.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

>



^ The open pits idea is what I like about drag racing.

When I saw this on TV I couldn't belive it. In F1 that would never be possible.

tradition! it started that way back in the '50s and never changed...

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

And "Too Bad" that some current Cup drivers may be out of a ride. If their credentials were closer to these gentelmen, it might be a different story.

What I find most interesting about this "invasion" is these guys are going to Toyota and Dodge teams .. manufacturers with non-USA ownership and team owners who have competed successfully in open-wheel for years.

I'm kind of with you on this one, Ol' Buddy. I can't bring myself to "object" because I have no idea who this Josh Stewart-guy is. He might have some motor sports creds and then again, he might be the paper's obituary writer who caught a couple races on TV then penned this piece.

These recent open-wheelers come to NASCAR with impressive resumès. Equally impressive [to me] is the short amount of time it took them to adapt to the full-bodied cars. I'd like to say a lot quicker than a lot of the drivers coming from the touring late model series' but I don't think that's a fair comparison because, with the exception of Allmendinger, these guys have more-or-less winning equipment from day one.

One trend which is bothering the Hell out of me is the fact that drivers are losing rides, not because of lack of talent, but because another driver can bring a sponsor.
Example one: Stremme Franchitti, in his first year, will not, IMO, perform better than Stremme did this season. But, he cachè brings him a sponsor.
Exp two: Terry Cook, in CTS just lost his ride with Harris because another driver (name slips my mind) showed up at the doorstep with a sponsorship in hand.

Maybe it's just me but this trend just rubs me the wrong way.

[Racer Duck]

in this day of mega teams and mega buck deals, the driver who shows up at the door with a mega buck sponsor in tow is given his/her choice of rides, the key to the executive washroom and the secret handshake. as long as the mega buck sponsor is willing to pay for their driver's "mistakes", the team owner keeps making trips to the bank, smiling...

and this isn't limited to NA$CAR!