UPS, The Chase, New Teams In 2007, And NBC
Friday, July 7th, 2006 12:42pm CDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
If you’re new around here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
[thumb:365:r:s=1:l=http://thunderlounge.com/articles/nascar/features/the-water-cooler/]Among this weeks topics are the upcoming UPS announcement, Brian France and his Chase tweaks, and trying to figure out what the deal is with so many “new” teams for 2007.
UPS
So after all the speculation about where UPS will end up next year, they have decided that losing the current branding they have with Dale Jarrett is too strong of an image to consumers to lose. Reports have had them trying to sponsor Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, and sticking with RYR and a new driver. These have far exceeded the amount of jabber about what if they followed DJ. Sure it was mentioned, but almost as a fleeting glance while going down the road to discuss where else they may wind up. In the end they announced earlier today that they indeed will be sticking with Dale, and following him to MWR.
The real debate on this subject came in wondering why UPS would seem to be taking a risk on one front, with the team being a start-up and most likely not going to be fighting for a championship, all for the sake of keeping the branding with DJ intact. That branding is powerful, and not something to be taken lightly. Also, they stand to gain another spokesman in the team owner, one which makes sure everyone gets their proper thanks. Mikey’s list is growing longer with each passing day, and there’s good reason for it. UPS has apparently seen the opportunity there, and decided to follow suit. Could they have persuaded RYR to allow the passing of the #88 to MWR along with it? Notice there still isn’t much talk about what DJ’s number will be for next year? Hmmmmm… I wonder. Guess we’ll find out something in the near future, as MWR said they would be making an announcement about whom their third driver will be for 2007 within a month. Yep, Jarrett’s still going to race the truck. Or so it appears.
The Chase
Many things discussed this week in light of Brian Frances statement last weekend about the tweaks. Surprisingly, most of us agreed that after three years it was sufficient time to be able to tweak it, and have enough genuine data to do so. We didn’t really think it would be anything drastic, but seeing the 400 point mark bumped up to maybe 500, or them simply saying the top “X” number of drivers are in and that’s it seemed to be the running theme. The question is, how many? Some speculated 12, others 15. Is that too much? 15 would be pushing it, but still not close to half the field as in other sports. Of course, Nascar is unlike any other sport out there. Even with 15 drivers eligible, it’s still going to come down to just a handful at the end. The only difference is it makes the sponsors a little happier during the chase. Happy sponsors are good for everyone.
Another thought came back to a chase within a chase. The chase for the coveted “11th” place, and resetting the drivers that are 11th - 20th in points, similar to the ones in the main chase. This would also make more sponsors happy, and provide some additional entertainment value.
Also was the discussion of more points for wins, and points for leading the standings after race 26. In other words: more incentive to win, instead of the ol’ “top 10 them to death” strategy. Regardless, they still won’t be able to take the big picture of consistency out of the equation.
One interesting philosophy I read earlier this week, and one that went over in conversation like a fine cream gravy over a chicken fried steak, was the idea of a wildcard race. After Richmond, take the drivers not in the chase, and send them to the Rock. Let two drivers advance from the Rock into the Chase.
This is a fine idea. A damn fine idea. If the top 10 make the chase, let the rest head to the Rock. Run two 200 lap features. Even point positions, and Odd point positions. Both winners advance into the chase. The drivers already in the chase would get the weekend off. Of course, there would have to possibly be something stated that only drivers who competed in a full schedule or attempted a full schedule would be eligible to show up at the Rock.
Finally, we discussed the realistic possibility of a few dates swapping around. Most likely bumping a race out, and throwing in a road course. This area of discussion is heated.
What it comes down to is that the chase should be representative of all the tracks in the first 26 races. Not percentages of which the occur, but that they occur. If you want to be a champion in this series, you should be expected to be able to perform on all types of tracks that the series visits. Personally, there’s too many 1.5-mile tracks (give or take a few 10ths) in the chase. There should be a road course, two short tracks, Talladega, and the other 5 should be intermediate tracks. But, which current tracks should be bumped to the regular season, and out of the Chase to make room? First, New Hampshire. Swap it with Sonoma or Watkins Glen. Next, swap Kansas for Bristol. That would give you a Chase that looks something like this:
- Dover
- Talladega
- Watkins Glen / Sonoma
- Bristol
- Charlotte
- Atlanta
- Martinsville
- Phoenix
- Texas
- Homestead
Call me crazy, but it just might work.
New Teams For 2007
When it comes to this, wow. I wonder if there’s a though going on in the front office about extending the field to 47 entries, and moving the 35th spot cutoff to 40. With the amount of new, full time teams already coming to light, they’re going to almost have to.
We mentioned this a while back, and even then the field was already getting quite full. However there have been a few more teams announced or proposed since that time, making the field even tighter.
As it stands now, Toyota will likely be fielding 7 full time teams. 3 for Michael Waltrip Racing, 2 for Bill Davis Racing, and 2 for Red Bull Racing. DEI is expanding to 3 cars next year, and working their butts off to make it 4. Germaine Racing has mentioned they want to go full time in Cup next year, stepping up from the Truck series. The Wood Brothers may run 2 cars, or they may keep it single. Then again, they may not run at all. Sponsorship deals are pending, and they most likely will run at least one car next season. Now, throw in several other teams into the mix, that have said they want to either try and run most of or all the schedule, and we’re looking at a very crowded situation. The fight for survival is going to thicken, and there are going to be some unhappy sponsors in the days to come. Not something the front office likes to see.
The Return To NBC
Here we go again. NBC’s already fired a couple shots at the departing Fox team, as we’re gearing up for NBC to take us through the remainder of the season. This comes down to personal preference, as to which broadcasting network you prefer. Personally, they both have their ups and downs. I however prefer Fox to NBC. Mainly because while both networks make pointless, and often sometimes downright dumb comments, NBC seems to make more. Mainly from their primary commentator. Benny’s a great guy, I just don’t like his comments or style. At least when DW has a comment about the car, he has recent experience to pull from. Although, I must admit that I’m getting all “boogity boggitied” out. It was nice while it lasted, but even the best catch phrases can long outlive their welcome.
Parting Thoughts
A lot has changed since starting the writing of this piece. At the time UPS hadn’t made an announcement, Shane Wilson (crew chief for the No. 21 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick in the Busch Series) and Gene Nead (crew chief for the No. 77 Chevrolet driven by Burney Lamar in the Busch Series) hadn’t been suspended for 6 weeks with the docking of 50 driver and owner points, along with other penalties in the Busch Series, and the 3 car possibility at MWR hadn’t became a reality yet.
50 points and 6 weeks. Wow. That’s sending a message.
MWR will definitely field 3 cars next year, or try to shall we say. This is interesting, and something to follow as they announce more in the upcoming weeks.
Now that we know UPS is leaving RYR, how long before we see RYR announce his 2007 driver and sponsor? Could it be that they were just holding out to see what UPS would do, before making any announcements or decisions?
I guess we’ll see what happens as the summer drama continues to intensify.
Filed Under: Features, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Water Cooler
Trackback URL for: UPS, The Chase, New Teams In 2007, And NBC
Loading...
Count on Jeremy Mayfield heading Toyota’s way.
He has sung his Swan Song.
Marc said this on July 7th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
It wouldn’t surprise me, but then it wouldn’t surprise me if he stuck around either. Both his teammates are having success, his can’t be lagging that far behind. Might be a chemistry issue, which I’m sure Ray’s willing to fix. The question is, is Jeremy willing to suffer through it? Granted he’s been in the Chase the past two years, but he really hasn’t been on fire.
I guess we’ll see what happens. Stranger things have, and I’m sure will again before we hit Homestead.
Luke said this on July 7th, 2006 at 8:51 pm