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.