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

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 12:21pm UTC

Latest Nascar News And Info! By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

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.”

2008 Rookie Standings by Owner Points
After Food City 500
Rank	Car #	Driver	Distance From 35th
35th	#77	Sam Hornish Jr.	0
38th	#40	Dario Franchitti	Behind 37pts
39th	#01	Regan Smith	Behind 39pts
46th	#10	Patrick Carpentier	Back 186pts

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.

Daytona 500: 36 Days and Counting

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Saturday January 12, 2008
12:44pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Scott Riggs

2007 Stats
- Organization: Gillette Evernham Motorsports
- Car Number: 10
- Crew Chief: Rodney Childers
- Sponsor: Valvoline/Stanley Tools
- Points: 36th :: 2135 :: -4588
- Starts: 27
- Poles: 0
- Wins: 0
- Top 5′s: 0
- Top 10′s: 1
- Winnings: $2,671,040
2008 Preview
- Organization: Haas/CNC
- Car Number: 66
- Crew Chief: Bootie Barker
- Sponsor: State Water Heaters

Sometimes even the best potential things just don’t pan out. After missing the 2006 Daytona 500, Scott worked it back into the Top-35 and even the Top-20. However, as Gillette Evernham Motorsports struggled (along with the rest of the Dodge camp in general) in 2007, Scottie just couldn’t pull it off. He found himself missing 9 shows, which ultimately kept him out of the Top-35 at the end of the season.

Looking forward, Scott Riggs moves into a new chapter at Haas/CNC. While both the #66 and #70 were in the Top-35 after Homestead in 2007, it wasn’t by much. Both Scott and Jeremy will have to make the best of the first 5 races this upcoming season if they want to get a jump on keeping it in the Top-35 for the year.

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

You’re Outta Here! Can You Say That 4 Times?

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday February 13, 2007
4:58pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Holy cow, man. Here we go…

Roush Racing #17:

– - Robbie Reiser: suspended 4 weeks
– - Robbie Reiser: Cough up $50 G’s
– - Matt Kenseth: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
– - Jack Roush: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

Evernham Motorsports #9:

– - Kenny Francis: suspended 4 weeks
– - Kenny Francis: Cough up $50 G’s
– - Kasey Kahne: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
– - Ray Evernham: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

Evernham/Valvoline Motorsports #10:

– - Rodney Childers: suspended 2 weeks
– - Rodney Childers: Cough up $25 G’s
– - Scott Riggs: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
– - James Rocco: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

Evernham Motorsports #19:

– - Josh Browne: suspended 2 weeks
– - Josh Browne: Cough up $25 G’s
– - Elliot Sadler: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
– - Ray Evernham: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

As we all know by now, the #17 and #9 were found in post-qualifying inspection, and were found to have made illegal aero modifications.

The #10 and #19 were found prior to qualifying last Sunday.

All infractions were for:

– – Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing)
– – Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts components and/or equipment not conforming to NASCAR rules)
– – Section 20-2.1E (unapproved aerodynamic modification)

Oops! See you guys at either Las Vegas or Bristol.

Buh bye now.