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March 16, 2007
A Real "Top 35" for Busch Teams
By Keith Ott
I have always been a “Race it in” type guy. Best qualifying times make the show. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. And, this is still my mantra, when it’s done with a level playing field. I love the Cup “Superstars” mixing it in, on a limited basis, with the Busch wannabe’s. I think it’s good for them to learn moves from the best, of the best. And, that’s how it used to be. There wasn’t a flood of Cuppers racing Busch in the past. It was a trickle. Sponsors, TV exposure, and a monetary advantage, leading to a cheap payday, turned Busch into CASHCAR-Lite. Pope Brian, let’s fix this here leak before the boat sinks and no-one gets liberty. And, dammit, I like liberty!
Let’s start on “My” Busch “Top 35.” BTW, 35 is just a random #. More or less would be ok with me as long as “real” Busch teams average 70 to 80% of the field. You can have your say on that number later. Ok, so let’s choose what makes a real “Busch” team.
This is my criterion, it’s mostly driver based, and this would start from the previous season.
- If, during the previous season, your driver exceeded the number of Cup races that would allow him/her to keep Cup “Rookie” status…You “ARE NOT” a Busch team. I like it. It’s clean and simple. It also allows Busch drivers to try for Cup races and maintain their “Busch Team” status. It even allows Cup regulars to fight amongst each other to qualify on times, for the remaining spots, to get into a Busch event.
- If, during the current season, your driver exceeds the number of Cup races allowed to keep rookie status, then you are no-longer a Busch eligible team. You compete to qualify on time with the other non-quals.
Ok, it’s my base level plan and it needs work and some exemptions will arise, and I see a few. But, it’s at least a start. We can talk the demise of the Busch Series to death. But, unless something is started it will be gone.
Your thoughts?
Afterthoughts: I would hate for anyone to think I endorse Nextel’s “Top 35” for their Cup series. The Busch racers need protection from “Mega-dollar” Cup teams. The Cup teams neither need nor deserve special treatment to make an event. Sponsors, and I don’t care how much they spend, should not determine who gets to race. The sport is about the event, and the event is racing. All the variables of racing should apply to all the teams.
March 16, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
Well done Keith
Posted by: Trucker | Mar 16, 2007 3:45:23 PM
Keith, if Hendrick or Roush opts to have 3 or 4 Busch cars, driven only by non-Cup drivers, is that OK under your system? It's strictly a question of who drives?
Posted by: Doug | Mar 16, 2007 4:58:27 PM
Doug,
Work in progress...how's this? If you didn’t qualify from the previous season because of the driver, you can’t qualify until the rookie race limit is met. And, after that, if you put a true Busch driver in or a driver who hasn’t passed Cup Rookie status then you are in. That is in wherever his (the new guys) points puts him in the lineup. If you ran a cup guy for 5 events the new guy won't have many points. If 35 other Busch teams put him outside, then he still has to qualify the car. If, during the season after the first 5-7 events (whatever the rookie limit is) you have a qual’ed Busch35 team and you run a Cup driver for an event…you don’t benefit. You qualify your way in. It’s not based totally on points to make the top 35. You qualify for the Busch35 and then points for qualified teams determine where in the Busch35 you are or aren't.
You can be an owner like Harvick and either decide to qualify your way in all the time. Or, put someone else in and make the race all the time. RCR/Roush/etc. could decide to develop talent with true Busch drivers. Or, for certain event's they might risk quals with a cup driver for a test of the track.
Team limits is a different issue...New young wannabes on the track was my concern.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 16, 2007 5:18:40 PM
Hey Keith,
Good job. Only know one person who could argue with that dealy.
Posted by: Larry | Mar 16, 2007 7:18:41 PM
Larry,
It needs some polish, but you have to start somewhere. LOL, I know Mike and his comment will be..."Let them all race. If, 75 cars show up 75 cars should race."
Is that a correct quote, Mike?
Posted by: Keith | Mar 16, 2007 7:39:50 PM
Let them all race, but make the Cup drivers use restrictor plates. There, I said it first.
Posted by: jeff | Mar 16, 2007 7:50:54 PM
Jeff,
And they always have to run on the super safe "Hard Tire."
Posted by: Keith | Mar 16, 2007 8:01:22 PM
How about the hard tires we had on our tricycles when we were kids. No worry of a blow out with that tire.
Posted by: jeff | Mar 16, 2007 8:10:13 PM
Jeff,
I brought up the Trike's in Marks post I think. LOL, no grip and a bumpy sidewalk would let you know if you had a loose filling.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 16, 2007 8:56:21 PM
Todays thoughts: I'm glad to see Mikey working on his Busch Top35 stats for next season. And, just how happy can the NAPA executive in charge of advertising, who chose to stay with Waltrip, be?
Posted by: Keith | Mar 17, 2007 8:55:47 AM
Well Keith,
That is a good question. A fly on the wall would be cool in the comming months. Heck though, Napa gets more coverage than Alltel or Miller. The talk is for the wrong reasons but still they get exposure. I even feel a sympathy factor comming into play. Surely Mikey can qualify at Bristol. Also DJ is in need of a good atlanta finish, or your question will apply to UPS as well.
Keep diggin'
Posted by: Larry | Mar 17, 2007 6:27:42 PM
If things don't turn around quickly for MWR, i'm not sure they will survive without TRD help. I'm surprised they are running as bad as they are. And when I say help, I mean sponsorship help. I just don't see all the sponsor's supporting this organization when they aren't getting the best bang for their buck.
Posted by: jeff | Mar 17, 2007 8:04:42 PM
Chief I think your plan is a great start. I despise Busch-whacking but all those Cup drivers in the race sold a ton more tickets. They will never put a limit on the number of Cup drivers in as long as that is happening. I think the guys that are crazy enough to fly across the country from a Busch race to a Cup race then go for it. Just don't go chicken-peckin' whenever you feel like Busch racing.
Posted by: Mark | Mar 17, 2007 9:17:54 PM
If Mikey had any sense at all, he would have started a team as soon as he left DEI so that he would have some notes to fall back on this year. And if Red Bull had less sense that Mikey they wouldn't have put a rookie, AJ Allmendinger(sp?), with a rookie team. Blaney is doing ok, I think the Toyota teams got in too much of a hurry and thought with checkbooks instead of brains.
Oh yeah, this is about Busch, great idea Keith.
Posted by: another joe | Mar 17, 2007 9:35:50 PM
With Mikey's finish today I just have to think he's gonna lose it any day now. Don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for the guy. As for the Busch deal, since the issue is the big "teams" not the big "drivers", why not make the cup guys do there own pit stops... I can see Jamie McMurray changing the left front on the "Dish Network Ford".
Posted by: Alltel_fan | Mar 17, 2007 9:56:38 PM
Mark,
I think 7 or 8 Cup spots is enough to draw more people in. Especially if they have to compete for spots. Under the Busch35 there is no flying to make the race because there is no guaranteed start for a Cup driver (And I assumed you meant Harvick)...a Cup driver could end up winning the Busch Title but he would have to qualify for every race and not rely on just showing up.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 17, 2007 11:35:38 PM
Another joe,
I like Mikey as a person, but, I think he has to decide if, he wants to be a poor driver waxing on what could have been in the past, or a good owner looking ahead. He should not be driving the car.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2007 12:02:32 AM
Alltel,
The big issue "IS" actually the big drivers in Busch. The conundrum is how to keep a certain amount of stars in, to attract crowds, while making it certain that Brian can pay his taxes, and still keep it as a valid racing format.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2007 12:12:35 AM
Keith's original idea certainly has a lot of merit. Sometimes, it's not a bad thing to protect the status of some competitors.
I also agree with his response to Alltel -- it is about the drivers. We could simply put a cap on the number of spots in the grid that can be claimed by drivers who meet a Cup driver description such as that described by the Sr. Chief. A 20-percent cap, for example, would mean that the fastest eight cars driven by Cup drivers would make the starting lineup. The rest of the 43-car field would be open only to non-Buschwhackers, and the ninth-fastest Cup driver -- even if he was ninth overall -- would go home. Teams would have to declare their drivers before time trials; no inserting a substitute to keep that ninth-place Cup qualifier in the show.
I say let the big Cup teams compete, as long as they are using up-and-coming driver talent, without restriction. I say let's have a number of marquee Cup drivers in the race, just to add pizzazz. But the thing we have to address is Cup drivers hogging the show and sending all the small-time entries home after qualifying.
Posted by: David Green | Mar 18, 2007 9:24:46 AM
David,
That's my plan in a nutshell. Let the Cup drivers fight for a limited # of spots. They do add fans to the seats and can show "potential" stars new tricks. Hmmmm, I guess Cuppers might even develop a little empathy, during Cup qualifying, for the "Go or Go Home" drivers.
But, David, as you know, "The best laid plans of Mice and men..." can only work if they're implemented. NASCAR, ultimately, still has to decide in which direction the fate of the Busch Series lies.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2007 10:12:34 AM
I watched the Busch race yesterday and I was counting the number of drivers that weren't full-time Cup drivers. I counted 15. TWO-THIRDS of the field were Cup guys. That is utterly ridiculous and unfair.
It's one thing to have up-and-comers compete against the best, it's another when they have no chance at beating them.
If I had my way, there wouldn't be Cup drivers in Busch at all. That makes no sense. It's as if the Yankees had half of their schedule be against triple-A teams. But if they must have Busch-whackers then your idea is a good one Keith.
And you beat me to the punch calling it "CASHCAR Cup Lite". That's exactly what the Busch Series has become. Cup-Lite. A Cup driver should NOT be the Busch champion. Harvick is too good of a driver to appear to be beating up on guys who aren't ready yet.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Mar 18, 2007 10:35:39 AM
Oh we know darn well that Pope Brian won't be making any changes that would reduce income anytime soon!!
Posted by: Mark | Mar 18, 2007 10:35:56 AM
Kurt,
There was a Busch race yesterday? Off the top of my head, I couldn't name 5 Busch drivers quickly. However, I do think Busch can survive, and is actually enhanced, with a limited # of Cuppers. Also, with a plan to limit their participation, it's doubtful a Cupper could make a run for the title.
BTW, I give up any rights to the terms Cashcar and or Cup-lite. So use them freely. LOL, actually my other sponsor "A$$car" said their logos were too big. But, that's another story.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2007 11:18:11 AM
Hey Keith,
Upon further review.
Atlanta this weekend, it did not seem that cup drivers sold any busch series tickets.
Oh, by the way.. they did not sell many Cup tickets either!
Posted by: Larry | Mar 19, 2007 10:51:33 AM
Larry,
I was actually surprised at how few attended. I wonder what the actual seated attendence was.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 19, 2007 7:29:33 PM
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