04/25/24
January 25, 2011
Nascar Gives Nationwide Drivers Chance to Be Champs: Nascar is ending a practice that let its current stars slow the rise of future ones. Drivers only can earn points in one of its three series. "The Nationwide Series has to have its own stars and identity to be successful," says Martin Truex Jr., who in 2005 was the last Nationwide champ who wasn't a full-time Sprint Cup driver.
posted by rcade to auto racing at 07:57 AM - 5 comments
Finally -- this was always akin to bringing down half the starting line-up of the Yankees to play at Columbus every night.
It might hurt attendance, but it will make for better drivers in all series and better-rested drivers in the big show.
posted by wfrazerjr at 10:13 AM on January 25, 2011
The big named racers are going to race. They don't care about Nationwide points. Some race just for the fun and some race to get information they can take to their Sprint Cup car. Do you really think Kyle Busch isn't going to race? He loves to race and so do so many of the other Sprint Cup regulars. Attendance won't be hurt at all.
posted by dbt302 at 12:11 PM on January 25, 2011
Gee, I hope the Nationwide champion wins at least one race during the season.
posted by graymatters at 03:58 PM on January 25, 2011
Since none of the Sprint Cup Series drivers can beat Jimmie Johnson anyways, maybe they should drive the minor league series. Hell, maybe even Dale Earnhardt Jr. could win a race!
Nah, that's just crazy talk.
posted by dyams at 06:39 PM on January 25, 2011
Great move, and long overdue. The only concern could be a even bigger blow to attendance for the Nationwide races with the truly big-name racers not involved.