Stars, Bars, And (Hopefully) Fast Cars
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007 2:05pm EST
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
So here we go again. OK, we’re talking about NASCAR but not the “Stars & Bars” one might customarily associate with it. Granted, as NASCAR heads to California Speedway this weekend you’ll still see find it among the crowd.
When it comes to California, one thing you can count on is seeing numerous Hollywood “Stars” trying to put their mug in front of a camera somewhere. All for the sake of being seen in this “new” and “hip” environment. How many are actually coming to see the race, and would have bought a ticket anyway? It’s forecast to be pretty sunny, so Britney won’t be making an appearance.
So what’s the point of this article? Am I writing it just to be writing something? Nope. No Steve Waid here, and writing out garbage just to be able to put a plug for ourselves at the end. Shameless or not, we don’t need an excuse to remind folks of the various offerings here at the Lounge.
So back to the topic, which aside from a goofy title and a Britney crack (no pun intended), we talking about racing. We’re looking at only 10 cars being sent home this week, as last I looked there were 53 possible convicts on the docket for this weekend.
Who’s in, and who’s out? Well, it’s all about speed on Bud Pole day now. No second chances of racing your way in this week, and from here on out. You either bring it, or pack it up and get off their property.
Jeremy Mayfield was pretty optimistic after being 16th on Sunday for qualifying, and then being booted out through the Duel’s. Such is the magic of Daytona, but now were back to “business as usual” and Speedweeks are becoming a little foggier with each passing day.
Nothing personal against Mikey, but I don’t see the Napa Camry making the show. Reutiman is close call, he was the best of the three, but I’d be willing to place a wager on Toyota not having half their cars in the show. Maybe I’ll be wrong, which is fine for the sponsors, but maybe not. With only 7 open spots to make it in, there’s a lot of teams that will be pushing for the show that knew it and will be bringing their “A game” to Fontana. Knowing their chances out of a 61 car field at Daytona, tell me they haven’t packed a lot into the second week.
These won’t (for the most part) be the casual let downs of small independent teams missing a race. We’re talking big teams, with big budgets and sponsors, packing it up after qualifying is over (possibly waiting for post-qualifying inspection to conclude if they were close to the show) and heading back to the shop. Some of these well funded teams will be doing it for the second event in a row.
And it isn’t going to get any better either. It’s going to be a nail biter for every track on the schedule. The “COT” races will probably be worse, as there are several teams only planning on attempting those events.
The face of NASCAR is changing right before our very eyes. You can’t tell me that a team is going to make it long if half the races they attempt in with a “sooner than hoped for” trip back. It might take some time, but it will balance itself out in the end. And with it, we may lose the small independent teams which once filled up the field and added for an occasional dash of spice here and there.
Anyone care to reflect on a certain race at the Rock, not too long before its unfortunate demise where a certain driver ended up taking out his only car the team had in an “interesting” carnival-style ride along the wall?
Somethings going to give. And unfortunately it will most likely be the weakest link. I can’t see NASCAR cutting the top 35 down to top 20, and that leaves the underfunded teams who are just happy to be there and have something on the fenders fighting for air. Even some of the 3rd/4th tier teams we’ve become accustomed to over the past few seasons aren’t safe. And unless you’re Bill Gates (who needs a punch in the mouth), or of similar stature, you aren’t paying for it out of your pocket. Even Jack Roush had a struggle when Citgo left the 99. It wasn’t pretty, and Jack’s got plenty of skills and finances. At least to the common man. It would seem he could float it some. Then again, anyone of “money” will tell you they “got the bills to go with it”. Which is usually an underlying “code” to tell you to bug off and don’t even think about asking for a Pepsi.
So what we’re left with is a changing face of NASCAR, and one that will be obvious sooner rather than later. The question is, “Who will it be that folds up?”
Stay tuned, we’ll find out in the not too distant future.
Filed Under: California, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Tracks
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