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Where did the Cup drivers go?
By admin | March 21, 2008
Where did the Cup drivers go?
By Richard Allen
There are only six full time Sprint Cup Series drivers entered in this weekend’s Nationwide Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway. So, where did the Cup drivers go?
Apparently, Cup drivers only see fit to invade the second series when it is convenient.
Every Nationwide race held so far in 2008 has served as a companion event for the Sprint Cup Series. The Pepsi 300 will be the first stand alone event for the series this season. Thus, the race provides the first test to see how many Cup invaders are serious about racing in the other series and how many run the series simply when they do not have other plans.
It is not as if there is a Cup race on the other side of the continent. That series is taking the Easter weekend off.
There have been 17, 11, 14, 15 and 13 Cup drivers respectively in the Nationwide races held this year. Those driver’s ‘love of racing’ must not extend into the off weeks for the top series.
Since Nationwide races have been dominated by Cup drivers and have thus far served as warm up events for Cup races, the Nationwide regulars have an opportunity to shine on their own in Nashville.
So, when the summary articles are written for the Pepsi 300 which headline will best describe the action: Nashville proves Nationwide Series can stand on its own or Nationwide Series needs Cup drivers to be successful?
We will find out Saturday.
Richard Allen is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association. His weekly column appears in The Mountain Press every Wednesday.
Topics: Articles |
March 21st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
There should be a limit on Cup drivers in the Busch, I mean Nationwide, series. Only let them enter a certain number of races or something like that.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:37 am
Who in Gods name cares about the
Nationwide series?
Its the Trucks,the Cup cars and
thats it.
Put; a bullet in this series.
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 am
No points, no championship for Cup drivers in the Nationwide Series.
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
dude, you answer your own question. Where are they? Cup drivers only see fit to invade the second series when it is convenient. It’s your thrid sentence, Rube! It is called freedom of choice and it even works racers….
March 22nd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
“Thus, the race provides the first test to see how many Cup invaders are serious about racing in the other series and how many run the series simply when they do not have other plans.”
Gee, maybe, just maybe those other plans contain a bit of time with a family the vast majority of drivers hardly see during a 38 race schedule.
To say nothing of it being Easter Sunday.
Guess that’s not part of the equation is it?
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
The 3 series are all important , the new names are ho-hum & to many are just Truck / Bush/ Cup.. Yes BUSH, as in not beer.but junior league . My opinion regarding who gets to run BUSH is anyone not in the top 12 CUP spots . Yesterday D. Reutimann did it right at Nashville .
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I just enjoy all types of racing. I don`t really care who drives what or where. The Nationwide series needs big name drivers to keep it in the news. Or the other hand, big name drivers over shadow the regular drivers in the series. It a tough decision, but the way it is now is OK with me.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I’ve always enjoyed the Busch series and used to go to more Busch races than Winston Cup races. It used to be very interesting with a nice mix of old timers and new guys. I think if they change up the rules package so they are not close to the Cup cars you could have that again. Or make it more interesting, and make it a stock car series with Mustang vs Charger vs whatever Chevy makes that is sort of a sports car but doesn’t cost $50K…