What an announcement, as a NASCAR fan, I have almost come to expect the unexpected in watching this sport, from the penalties to the interesting calls and also that this is entertainment, NASCAR is putting on a show for the fans and despite some things, I still love watching this sport, it is not what it was back in 1985, nor is it meant to be, although the racing is still good, yes, even with this new car, although the tires and the COT needs a lot of work.With that said, after reading an article called “The Detroit Three get down to the business of NASCAR.” By Peter M. De Lorenzo that was published on Autoextremist.com which goes into detail about just what various Detroit auto company executives in attendance at the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis talked about with NASCAR, according to the author, it’s the Detroit Three NASCAR “wishlist”, the wishlist has some serious proposals on all three of NASCARs major series and what a list it is.
It doesn’t even matter what I think about the article, whether if it has any truth to it or if it’s just someone’s active imagination, the fact is, with the COT, the manufacturers don’t get all that much in form “Win (should be race) on Sunday, Sell on Monday”, so I began to wonder just what NASCAR might do to give the manufacturers more in the sport that they invest so much in.
Well, in any case, this latest announcement is a step in the manufacturers favor as NASCAR has just announced that the 2009 Budweiser Shootout will now not only be 75 laps with two segments of 50 laps and 25 laps, but to qualify for this race, a race that in the past was based on getting a pole from the previous season, winning a qualifying race or being a past winner of the shootout, now the lineup will consist of the top-six teams from each manufacturer, based on the final 2008 car owner points.
I am not a fan of this, you win a pole, your in doesn't exact anymore, nor is it fair, however will be interested in seeing how it plays out come February, and one of the reasons is, as of now with 12 races to go in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, check out not only who qualifies as of now, but who doesn’t even though they have won a pole.
Who qualifies for each manufacturers:
Toyota’s top 6 teams are: Kyle Busch, Joey Logano (replacement for Stewart in the #20 car), Denny Hamlin, Brian Vickers, David Reutimann, Michael Waltrip (32nd in owner's points.) , for Chevrolet’s top 6 teams: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer (or Casey Mears depending upon owner's points). (All six Chevrolet's are in the top 12 in points.) For Ford’s 6 top teams: Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, Travis Kvapil. However I had to really look for dodge's on the owner's list, Dodge’s 6 top teams: Kasey Kahne, Whoever takes #12 ride, Kurt Busch, Elliott Sadler, Juan Montoya, Bobby Labonte. (None are in the top 12 in points.)
Not in and who got a pole so far in 2008, Ryan Newman, Joe Nemechek, Patrick Carpentier, Paul Menard and whoever else wins a pole in 2008, plus Tony Stewart, Mark Martin and Martin Truex Jr. and maybe not Clint Bowyer to name a few, interesting, look for part two in February 2009 after the Shootout.
And I also leave you with this question, what will change next in NASCAR, will it favor the fans or the manufacturers and could we see it favor both? Comments.
- Racedriven
