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July 31, 2006
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!
July 31, 2006 in Racing | Permalink
Comments
What the hell are you thinking?
Hornaday 48yrs old; Rudd 50yrs old; Elliott 51yrs old; Skinner 49yrs old...Benson comes in the youngest at 43yrs old. You've singlehandedly emptied the old driver retirement home...What, you couldn't find rides for Harry Gant or Dick Trickle? They come in at a spry 63 and 62yrs old respectively.
Race times of course will have to shift over an hour so as not to impede Naptimes and night vision will have to be checked. I can't wait to see the sponsors lined up for NASCARS geriatric generation.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 31, 2006 10:55:20 AM
And that would be YOUR opinion, Keith. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Shirley | Jul 31, 2006 10:56:46 AM
Well obviously it was "MY" opinion. I wrote it.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 31, 2006 11:01:57 AM
Skinner, no. He had his chance with a very good team and couldn't win then, I doubt he will now.
Rudd, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in a car somewhere next yera.
Ward? I am just not sure whether or not he could cut it after two years completely away from the sport. so much has changed technically that he is way behind the learning curve.
Elliot, no brainer.
Benson? Not a bad thought considering he is currently in the Toyota fold.
I think Craven might be out as well as Park.
Good topic.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 31, 2006 11:55:41 AM
Elliott is too old. He wants to run more, but wanting to run and being able to run effectively are 2 different things.
It's DW syndrome "The older I get, The better I was."
And where are the Sponsors coming from? None of these guys has market potential and for todays sponsors it's all about the green.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 31, 2006 12:16:38 PM
True Mark, Skinner had his chance. But I wonder if he now realizes what an opportunity he had, and might do better with another.
Ward might need a little time to catch up, but I'm sure he and Jeff discuss "current events," and Ward might just visit his little brother at RCR every now and then. Maybe it's just cuz I miss him that I'm hoping he'll be back in '07.
And sadly I agree with you that Steve Park might not be back in the truck series. He's got some rides in Busch, but I'm a member of his fan club, and I can't tell you when or where he's going to race half the time.
Thanks, Mark!
Posted by: Shirley | Jul 31, 2006 12:58:42 PM
Skinner? What, he wasn't serious the first time? Who's going to risk him not performing again...NO-ONE!
Ward I like...but, while growing up in a rural part of Virginny might be nice, sponsors like the ability to talk on TV.
Talking on TV reminded me of how annoying Mikey was in the booth for the Busch Race...Puh-lease keep him out of the booth and hire professional broadcasters.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 31, 2006 1:29:05 PM
Keith's comments are pointed, but he takes the edge off by putting them so gently and delicately. You'd have thought all those years in the Navy would have made him a little more salty and irascible. Instead, they've just made him lovable and cuddly.
C'mon, Chief. Don't sugar-coat it next time. Just tell us how you really feel.
And, if you're going to steal DW lines, get 'em right. The quote was, "The older I get, the better I used to be."
Posted by: David Green | Jul 31, 2006 2:00:15 PM
Shirley
I don't think I'm going to touch this one. It looks a little dangerous.
Posted by: Diane Sadler | Jul 31, 2006 2:27:16 PM
David,
LOL, right you are on the DW comment...My appologies to DW. I will also try not to beat around the bush, or clutter my prose with flowery adjectives so much next time.
All the drivers named have had great careers and have great fanbases...I just question the wisdom of putting a driver who is half committed to retirement back into a car expecting him to have success.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 31, 2006 2:39:38 PM
And that would be the English teacher making the "correction." Thank you, David!
Posted by: Shirley | Jul 31, 2006 2:41:09 PM
Keith -- No question, most of the drivers Shirley named are elder statesmen. As such, in today's youth-oriented culture, they're not likely to get a chance even if they could cut the mustard. As I remember, though, Bobby Allison was 50 when he won his last Daytona 500, so maybe some of those guys DO deserve a chance.
I would like to see Ward Burton, among all Shirley's nominees, get one more shot. Ward speaks perfectly understandable English. Shucks, in today's NASCAR, his accent makes him a novelty, and therefore I declare him eligible for consideration in the spirit of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity.
Diane -- Come on, be brave. Jump in.
Posted by: David Green | Jul 31, 2006 2:51:58 PM
Crazy old man
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Jul 31, 2006 3:05:28 PM
#5 -- to steal a line from the irrepressible Jerome Lester Horwitz (a.k.a. Curly Howard), "I resemble that remark!"
Posted by: David Green | Jul 31, 2006 3:13:11 PM
Good topic and SOME intelligent comments. I don't think that by bringing back some of these old timers is the answere. I say this because I believe that once they have achieved fincial security, they are not going to risk being badley hurt or killed. Not long after DE was killed there was an incident where DJ was turned sideways and stopped facing on coming traffic. The next day the rules where changed about racing back to the flag. DJ has gone through 9 crrew chiefs and none of them could get DJ up to speed. I think it is more the drivers nerve than the crew chief. Of all the drivers mentioned, I think Ward is the best. He did good with cars that were bad, so given a good ride, I think he would come up to par. Johnny would be a long shot but possible.
Posted by: 328 | Jul 31, 2006 3:14:17 PM
I'm with #5 crazy old man.
Posted by: Diane Sadler | Jul 31, 2006 3:34:37 PM
Honestly I don't see any of the mentioned doing much in the way of racing any more.
Posted by: Diane Sadler | Jul 31, 2006 3:35:55 PM
David brings up a good point....and possible blog topic. I am beginning to wonder if the youth movement wasn't a fad. There are not many young'ns out there running to fill in the holes left by Hamlin, Shrub, Sorenson and the rest. Could it be that these owners are looking for experience?
Posted by: Mark | Jul 31, 2006 3:37:48 PM
The "Elder Statesmen" are at best a stopgap measure. The only one with real value to a new team would be Wild Bill. Maybe not so much for his driving skills, but for them 5 Championship provisionals he comes with.
And,BTW, Provisionals should be granted for the season immediately following the Championship and then lost. It's ridiculous to see better rides out of an event because some former Champ was hired solely to get a new team in.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 31, 2006 3:46:50 PM
Everbody jumped on the bang wagon for kids driving. Now there are no kids to train and all the old guys got lots of money.
Posted by: 328 | Jul 31, 2006 3:48:40 PM
328,
I tend to disagree a bit. There are plenty of talented young racers out there with great driving skills. The problem is they now also have to have...Great driving skills; Carl Edwards teeth; Mikeys sponsor recall ability; and a Gordon-like TV personality. I'll tell you what. A young Jimmy Spencer would not be chosen for todays NASCAR!
Posted by: Keith | Jul 31, 2006 4:23:32 PM
Why has Ward burton been Black balled from racing, seems nobody will touch him and yet he is a better driver than 1/2 the field out there. Every run Ward has had in cup has been with crap equipment, then all the sponsors want the youg guns. Truth is most of them have had better equipment from day one than Ward has ever had and most are still chasing a win.
Seems to me what the sponsors are callin Ward's "downside" is an "upside" with the fans. Except of course for a few newbie's that who really don't understand how CUp level works.
It's a shame to see such good drivers on the side as the interviewers ask what kind of hair product McMurray is using.
Posted by: Art | Jul 31, 2006 4:49:34 PM
Keith
I agree, you have the sponsors "wants" down pat. What you discribed is the ideal candidate, hopwever, other than Scrub, there are not many that can speak that well. I'm a little dissapointed that every driver has some one telling them what to say. When you read their quotes in print (without correction), most of them can't speak very good. It seams as if their mouth is in gear before their brain so they keep saying "like", " mean" etc. I'll go with MM any day.
Posted by: 328 | Jul 31, 2006 5:15:50 PM
Come on Diane. I thought the guns were loaded and ready. If anyone can "control" the masses, it would be you. And I was counting on you as back up! :)
Mark, that's the word I was looking for re: the "young guns" - fad! That's why I've been thinking about the veterans. A few young guns proved themselves, but considering the time a driver is given to prove their worth is very limited, there's a chance there will be even more "seats" open for 2008.
#5, all I can think of when I read: "Crazy old man" is that commercial with Mark Martin and Carl Edwards where Carl ends with: "Crazy old man."
You're not Carl Edwards are you? ;-)
Posted by: Shirley | Jul 31, 2006 6:54:31 PM
Shirley thats EXACTCLY what I thought when it came to mind....I can do a somersault across the living room tho...kinda in slooow motion, thanls for asking!
Fernando ;P
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Jul 31, 2006 8:03:41 PM
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