Quality drivers: Where to look

By Shirley Buttacavoli

Last night’s “Speed News” focused on “quality drivers” to fill the seats in Cup in 2007, so I started thinking who could fill which seat. (Didn’t Tagliani and Tracy remind you of Gordon and Kenseth?)

Mike Harper’s recent blog mentioned ARCA has “developmental drivers” that could be the up and coming stars of the Cup series. There’s no doubt that Cale Gale (love that name!) and Steve Wallace are part of NASCAR’s future. (How many more years before Matt Martin drives the 6?)

However, I don’t consider them as “quality drivers” to perform in Nextel Cup in 2007.

There are three semi-retired drivers that I consider “quality.”

There have been many rumors that Ward Burton will take over the 88 for Robert Yates Racing. He might not be wearing UPS brown, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him taking the 88 into “The Chase” within a year or two.

What if Yates put Ricky Rudd in the 38? Not only could RYR be in Victory Lane with Ward AND Ricky, but M&Ms would probably sell more product than they can produce.

Red Bull needs to sign Bill Elliott so they can get into the Daytona 500. We all know what a provisional is worth, and we know Awesome Bill is a winner.

I know I was criticized previously when I thought Cup owners should look at drivers in the Craftsman Truck Series, and I’m sure I will again. (You can give me all the stats you want, I’m looking at “quality.”)

I like Clint Bowyer, but I bet if RCR had Ron Hornaday in the 7, that team would be in “The Chase” as well. He is Mr. Re-start. (I know that doesn’t fill an empty seat, but I like Hornaday and Childress together.)

I’d love to see Michael Waltrip take his buddy from “Inside Winston Cup,” Johnny Benson, and give him the third ride at MWR. Johnny knows the mechanics of a race car, and that is something MWR could use on and off the track. Who knows, he might bring another champagne/pop corn trophy into the Speed set.

Can you imagine Mike Skinner in Evernham’s 19? Look out Kahne and Riggs! After all, Skinner was a teammate of Dale Earnhardt’s and could also turn out to be “the voice.”

I’ve got more, but I’ve given everyone more ammo than you need for a day or two. (Okay, Diane probably has more.) You can think positive or negative, but I believe these “vets’ deserve another opportunity in the Cup series. Like it or not, they were instrumental in developing NASCAR in the 70s and/or 80s. Let them get some of the big bucks Corporate America is willing to offer. And we might actually see some respectful bumper-to-bumper, fender-to-fender racing.

Hey, it’s only my opinion, and I’m sure you’ll give me yours!