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Parity in NASCAR? Not this year — maybe not next season, either
Comment: Are mega-teams ruining competition in NASCAR?
Friday, July 04, 2008
In NASCAR's Sprint Cup, on any given Sunday, it's anybody's race, right? Wrong. Cup racing can't brag of NFL-like parity. More like baseball's haves and have-nots.
Thirteen of the top 17 drivers in the standings — and all but one of the top 12 — belong to the four mega-teams dominating the series: Hendrick, Gibbs, Roush Fenway and Childress.
Of the four drivers left, DEI's Martin Truex Jr. and Penske's Ryan Newman could soon be free agents. And there might be two mega-team openings.
Every other Sprint Cup team has had to tighten its belt this season:
• Morgan-McClure went belly-up even before the season began.
• Bill Davis couldn't find a sponsor for Jacques Villeneuve and gave up before the Daytona 500.
• Petty is losing its primary sponsor on the legendary No. 43 car and brought in a venture capital company to help out its two-car operation.
• Robert Yates Racing has struggled to find sponsors for its two cars.
• Wood Brothers has had trouble finding sponsors for its lone car.
• On Tuesday, July 1, Ganassi abandoned its No. 40 car, leaving 2007 Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti without a ride.
And last week, NASCAR floated the possibility of testing at every track next season. So much for holding down costs with the Car of Tomorrow and leveling the playing field. This move could drive teams right out of business.
More testing should lead to better racing. But if teams can't afford to race, can you get better racing with only half the cars that run now?
Maybe NASCAR can ask the IRL and CART/Champ how that works. In the meantime, I'm rooting for Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-0722 or ccox@coxohio.com.
Comments
By Hop
July 4, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Its time to go back to the beginning…get out of the stock market, and just stock car race. Why was it so good in the old days, because it was basic, primal. The Frances have just went and sold out for the almighty dollar. NYSE baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By brunnegd
July 4, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
It seems as if almost every NASCAR race has an accident within the last 15 laps. As if it was planned, so that all of the cars will be bunched up at the end for a drag race. And what is wrong with allowing a driver to bring whatever car he wants with whatever innovations he wants, and let them race! Use tires that can last longer than 30 laps as well.
By brunnegd
July 4, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Who needs parity? NASCAR has too many rules, too much emphasis on parity. There is no incentive for a driver to outrun the field, as at the first yellow all of the drivers will catch up. Too many pit stops, a race should be decided on the track, not in the pits. And what is wrong with innovating in the cars to give a driver an advantage? I quit watching NASCAR several years ago because of the number of yellows. Races have become like trophy dashes at the local dirt track. 10 laps to the end.
By jeb713
July 4, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Why have 400-500 mile races when you could just run a 20-30 lap event? That is what it is now with all the crashes in the last laps. At one time it was fun to watch someone come from behind for the win. Now it’s just who will survive the last 20-30 laps by not crashing or have someone crash you. I do believe the young so called drivers need to go back to driving school.
By wolf
July 4, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
there isn’t much racing with so much caution flags,i feel that after 5 laps of caution flags that the race should stop,throw a red flag’stop’then start the race.people aren’t getting enought racing any more.these young drivers today is wreck that bring out so much flags that makes the race so unter entaining.
By wolf
July 4, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
there isn’t much racing with so much caution flags,i feel that after 5 laps of caution flags that the race should stop,throw a red flag’stop’then start the race.people aren’t getting enought racing any more.these young drivers today is wreck that bring out so much flags that makes the race so unter entaining.
By wolf
July 4, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
there isn’t much racing with so much caution flags,i feel that after 5 laps of caution flags that the race should stop,throw a red flag’stop’then start the race.people aren’t getting enought racing any more.these young drivers today is wreck that bring out so much flags that makes the race so unter entaining.
By boxter
July 4, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
NASCAR is not close to what it was. Dale Sr. must be turning over in his grave. They DO NOT race anymore. They drive to finish in the top ten. There is no drive to win, just finish well. Too many buddies on the track which is caused by team driving. Too much help from their team members and not enough I am going win. Big money and 5 owners owning 25% of the field has ruined the sport. There are teams that have NO chance of winning every Sunday. It has become very boring to watch.
By Ron
July 4, 2008 5:45 AM | Link to this
Already ruined in my opinion. Money has stolen the life of the sport. NASCAR has joined the NFL, NBA and MLB on my list of “I’ve have more important things to do then follow this garbage”.