Will the Top-35 determine the 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the Year?

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

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This is the question that has went unasked thus far in 2008. It’s time, past time actually, to ask it.

Currently, the best Rookie in the Owners Points is Sam Hornish Jr. He currently sits in 35th for 2008, as we head into race #6 where this years points take effect. Next up is Martinsville, and there are guys behind him with a lot more experience at this track. Considering the finesse it takes, this track has a habit of kicking Rookies to the curb. The odds of Hornish Jr. overcoming this are ones I wouldn’t take in any bookie joint in the land.

Behind Sam Hornish Jr. comes the rest of the 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates.

Dario Franchitti is in 38th, just 37 points back, with Regan Smith nipping at his heels and just 2 points behind him in 39th.

Then we have Patrick Carpentier bringing up the rear, 186 points out of 35th (46th overall) and just 2 starts out of 5 possible this season. Stick a fork in their Top-35 efforts. They’re done.

What begs to be asked is that whether or not the Top-35 will be the deciding factor in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year winner for 2008. I’ll bet it does. It already has.

For those who are unfamiliar with how this all works out, here’s the description from the NASCAR.com Rookie Standings Page:

“Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates earn points based on their best 17 finishes of the season. Points are earned through entry points, competition points based on finish, top 10 bonus points, bonus points based on three segments of the season and a panel of voters at the completion of the season.”

You will notice that it says “their best 17 finishes of the season“.

If driver A makes 30 races, and the next driver makes 20 races, didn’t driver A just get a 10 race advantage by having the opportunity to have more races to select their best 17 finishes from?

Sam Hornish Jr. is in 35th right now. What’s also not taken into consideration is that at least for a race or two, quite possibly more, Michael McDowell will be in the #00 for Michael Waltrip Racing when David Reutimann takes over the #44 at Martinsville.

Not that it’s likely, but the possibility (however slim) is there that just by him keeping it in the Top-35 he could literally run away with the Rookie of the Year, and missing the first 5 races of the year. Then again, it could be Hornish that does the same. Based solely on nothing more than having had 17 races to choose from, when other drivers may have much less.

While those races are not the only factor, they make up most of it. That being the case, the better the odds and the more races you have under your belt, the better you’re going to come out in the wash.

Now the question is, is this a fair way to judge the performance of the rookie class? Sure, you have to make a race to compete, which is part of the whole process. However, if someone makes just 12, but runs really well (better than someone barely keeping it in the Top-35) then how does that play out?

What we have here is yet another fiasco waiting to happen, and it’s on the verge of exploding. Nothing against Sam Hornish Jr., or any other rookie for that matter, however there is room for improvement in the overall system.

I don’t know what the answer is, honestly. There are so many possibilities, and none that can be implemented mid-stream in the season.

Should you go back to a 2 day qualifying session with provisionals? Maybe lock in the Top-20 as well?

How about increase the field? Where did 42 plus one past champion, to make 43 spots come from anyway? Why not add a couple starting spots, and make it an even 46, 48, or even 50? Surely there is enough room for everyone. OK, Martinsville and Bristol might be a tick on the tight side, but it can be done.

Right now, there are enough teams that are trying to run full time that opening even 3 more spots would help. There wouldn’t be a worry of “field fillers”, although some at the very back of the Top-50 in points now could be considered flirting with that concept. However, that’s not by lack of effort, it’s from a lack of funding, brought on by the whole Top-35 deal.

I have no answer to the problem, but there has to be a solution that works out for everyone involved. Whether that’s more spots, less lock-in’s, provisionals, or whatever the case may be.

One thing I do know, however, is that Saturday’s at Richmond (and Bristol) sure are boring when there isn’t a thing going on at the track before the sun goes down, the lights come up, and the show begins.

Join the discussion.

Filed Under: Chip Ganassi Racing #40, Dale Earnhardt Inc #01, Dario Franchitti, Drivers, Evernham Motorsports #10, Martinsville, Nascar, Regan Smith, Sprint Cup, Teams, Tracks

Tagged As: Dario Franchitti, Michael McDowell, Michael Waltrip Racing, Patrick Carpentier, Raybestos, Regan Smith, Rookie, Rookie of the Year, ROTY, Sam Hornish Jr, Top-35



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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday December 28, 2007
11:08am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

In the first of a 50 post series, we’re going to review the Top-50 drivers as they finished in the final 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series points, and highlight their efforts for 2008 as we move to the Sprint Cup series.

Without further ado, we start with our 50th place driver, Regan Smith.

Regan Smith

• 2007 Stats

  • Organization: Ginn Racing/DEI
  • Car Number: 01
  • Crew Chief: Ryan Pemberton
  • Sponsor: US Army
  • Points: 50th :: 519 :: -6207
  • Starts: 7
  • Poles: 0
  • Wins: 0
  • Top 5’s: 0
  • Top 10’s: 0
  • Winnings: $648,051

• 2008 Preview

  • Organization: DEI
  • Car Number: 01
  • Crew Chief: Doug Richert
  • Sponsor: Unknown (Rumored Coors)
  • Rookie of the Year Candidate

2007 saw Regan Smith under the tutaledge of Mark Martin, and running a total of only 7 Cup races. This safely kept him in line to compete for the 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the Year.

In 2007 Regan Smith was also part of the Ginn Fiasco, that saw Boby Ginn essentially calling it quits and selling his teams off to DEI. While Smith’s future was in limbo for a short while, he has come through the wash and most likely in a better position than had Ginn not sold out. With the closing of Ginn Racing, and the subsequent purchase by DEI, Regan Smith will now be in his own ride full-time in 2008. His mentor, Mark Martin, will not be far away as he splits the now vacated #8 ride with rookie Aric Almirola.

Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.

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Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #01, Drivers, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Regan Smith, Teams





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday July 18, 2007
1:46pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Ain’t it funny how things can come back to bite you?

After being “done dirty” by Joe Gibbs, an issue not to be rehashed, Aric Almirola now has come to what should be called a “defining moment” in his career.

It was rumored, rumored again, and then it hit the fan. Mark Martin has a new pupil, and his name is Aric Almirola.

What? Huh? What about Regan Smith?

Well, that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax folks.

Sterling Marlin has been released, and Regan Smith will be jumping into the Ginn Racing #14 starting with Indy. Our ol’ buddy Sterlin’, while looking to cut back in 2008, wasn’t exactly pleased. I guess Ginn is still paying him through the end of his contract, but he’s on to other things. Maybe even a second ride with them McClure boys.

On the same, but similar front at Ginn, it appears Bobby’s pockets aren’t the big brother of the Grand Canyon. Either that, or the length of his arms have been reduced. The #13, and Joe Nemechek have been suspended from continual operation due to lack of sponsorship and will not be headed to Indy.

That’s a car in the Top 35 folks, that’s walking away.

I wonder how long it will be before Michael Waltrip buys those owner points up? Granted, he isn’t but barely in the Top 35, but he is in. Enough to where Michael would be in the show at least two or three times before falling back out.

But, I digress. Although it appears DEI is interested in those points for Menard, as well as combining teams with DEI to make a 4 car team. Which, it seems, would kick the 15 out, and bring in the #01 and the #14, but who knows. I’m rambling again…

So here we have Aric Almirola rolling out of Joe Gibbs Racing, and rolling into the students lounge at Ginn. School’s in session, and this move will either make or break him. However, under the guidance of Mark Martin, he’s in good hands.

Aric’s first race will be August 12th, as he’s thrown into the road course at Watkins Glen. He’ll also run the Cup races that Regan Smith was scheduled for, but there’s a kicker too.

Joe Gibbs Racing, while granting the release of Aric Almirola, is keeping him to his Busch Series commitments (5 more) for 2007. Gee, I wonder how that’s going to go over? Anyone got a punch bowl?

Aside:

I’d like to thank the couple of mutineers that have graciously accepted an invitation to be authors on the Lounge. As they have time, of course.

Unfortunately, my time has become such that it honestly is tough to find 15 minutes a day to share my insight with all of you, as you may have noticed. So, in order to keep bringing y’all the goods, these familiar faces will be making an appearance here and there to help keep you all in content for your reading pleasure. Again, thanks to both Marc, and Clance’ for their insight, time, personalities, and of course their assistance.

Then again, you could always start your own NASCAR blog for free, and let the world know what you think about this great sport of ours.

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Filed Under: Aric Almirola, Drivers, Ginn Racing #01, Ginn Racing #13, Ginn Racing #14, Indianapolis, Joe Nemechek, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Regan Smith, Sterling Marlin, Teams, Tracks





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