What should the identity of NASCAR’s Nationwide (formally Busch) Series be?

The NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR’s second major racing series, which in some cases is also referred to as a stepping series to the Cup Series. For the past year or so, I have been thinking about this subject and in turn reading just what fans, writers, drivers and even owners comments on this subject and after going to Loudon, NH (NHIS) (like I do every year) to watch the Busch Series in action, I believe that there is no doubt that the series needs a new identity not only because Busch is gone as title sponsor and is replaced with Nationwide, but in general, its still too much like the Cup series.

First, would be in naming of series, when you look at NASCAR’s other two major series, they both have that non-changeable names, for example, NASCAR’s elite series is the Cup Series and that wouldn’t change even if the series sponsor does – The Winston Cup Series back before 2004, the Nextel Cup Series for the last couple of years and new for 2008, the Sprint Cup Series. In all those cases, the word “Cup” stayed and that’s its identity. The same can be said for the Craftsmen Truck Series come next season (2009) when they get a new sponsor, it’s always going to be the Truck Series so long as they run trucks. The point is, the identity is Cup Series and Truck Series and that’s would the Nationwide Series.

So what should NASCAR’s second major series be named, well GT is too common throughout motorsports, so how about the GS Series (GS standing for Grand Sport) or simply the Nationwide Sport Series or Sports if you prefer, its simple and it says a little about its (sports) cars.

Just added on 2/10: I was just reminded that before 1982, this series was named the sportsman series (thanks revjim) and with that, it got me thinking, a throwback in the name to its history, imagine this fourth option, the NASCAR Nationwide Sportsman Series, that would fix the identity and it gives it a bit of history.


Image was taken by me with a Kodak EasyShare DX6490.

Tony Stewart’s 2006 NHIS NASCAR Modified Car.

Going with a dream for a moment, what about the Nationwide Modified Series, of course this would have to include the Modified cars from NASCAR’s Regional’s, more under cars.

So what do you think the new name should be?
1. NASCAR Nationwide GS Series
2. NASCAR Nationwide Sports Series
3. NASCAR Nationwide Sportsman Series
4. NASCAR Nationwide Modified Series

Second, would come with the cars that they run, the series can’t run COT Sedans, so they need to go smaller and economical with new COT car. So as of now, that would be could come in the form of the Pony Cars – Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and the Toyota Supra/Celica. The second choice would be using Sport Compact cars – Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Ford Focus RS, Dodge Caliber SRT4, and either the Toyota Matrix or even better the Scion tC.

Now the third choice would be more of a dream of mine that I have had for many years now since I first watched the Modifieds Tour up at New Hampshire International (now Motor) Speedway years ago and was very impressed. So with that said, NASCAR should consider taking a page from its regional series and bring up those Modified cars as a base to start with and have them powered by the manufacturers. Image the Nationwide Modified Series with the COT Modified Cars. Like I said only a dream, but NASCAR should consider it of course with more safety added to the cars.

Third, would be the championship battle for both the drivers and the owner’s championship. Last season, the former Busch Series saw two champions - Carl Edwards crowned the driver’s champion and Richard Childress Racing crowned the owner’s championship and that’s cool to see.

The problem is really the driver’s championship where some say that it should be just for non-cup series drivers. I don’t know about that, however adding a chase format might be better, they would run it similar to the Cup Series, a regular season of 25 races with a 10-race chase format. It’s a start, however it would still most likely be Cup regulars winning.

Fourth, cost is a huge issue in this series, NASCAR could start by running a lot of the same rules from the Truck Series that’s a little cheaper to run right now compared to the Nationwide Series. Keeping with the cost, back in 2006, I wrote a column on this very subject called "My Take" Status of the Busch Series and What could be next.” Where I wrote this:

In Marty Smith's NASCAR.com column entitled "Busch Series needs a complete overhaul -- now", Marty interviews Jeff Burton who said "To start, bolt-on common bodies built from composites, crate engines and completely alternate tires." would reduce cost, to run the Busch Series is about $220,000 per race. I believe that, tires, people, cars, parts, etc...I like the idea of bolt-on common bodies built from composites, crate engines and completely alternate tires, it would get more owners involved, plus more drivers involved and at less the cost. Sponsers who are coming into the series, could pay less as well.

Interesting, I’m going to leave the cost issue there, NASCAR knows more about this then I do.

Finally, I could go on and on, however, to me there is only four major areas that NASCAR should be looking at in the Nationwides series, first the name, second would be the cars, third is the championship format and fourth is cost. Period.

One thing that shouldn’t be considered it anything that has to do with Cup Series regulars being removed from the series all together, that’s not the problem area, they add to the series with letting Nationwide regulars race up against them, its getting experience and the Cup Series drivers brings in the crowds too. All in all, that’s it.

- Racedriven