Earlier this year I was doing this fairly regularly. Then I began to blog other things. But recent discussions with JJ have brought this back to mind so I thought I might do it again.
Hey, this is simple. I am not going to make it complicated like JJ does. He can try to baffle you with ####. I just want to show you something that might make you go huh, interesting.
Let's update this a bit though. In order to be consistent with previously expressed views, let's say that NASCAR goes with 11 four-car Nextel Cup teams. Then let's ban the top 44 drivers from the Busch Series so young guns or old dogs can have those seats. So what do we have?
For now let's look at the current Busch standings and simply extricate the top 44 Cup drivers from the field. Then we can see what is left and consider it to be what a potential Busch field might look like if there were no Cup drivers allowed in it. I am going to call it "The Busch Class Standings."
Jason Leffler
Bobby Hamilton Jr.
Stephen Leicht
Mike Wallace
Marcos Ambrose
Scott Wimmer
Steve Wallace
Regan Smith
Kyle Krisiloff
Shane Huffman
Brent Sherman
Mike Bliss
Ward Burton
Todd Kluever
Aric Almirola
Eric McClure
Jon Wood
Brad Keselowski
Jason Keller
Brad Coleman
Robert Richardson II
Kelly Bires
Kevin Hamlin
Timothy Peters
Danny O'Quinn Jr.
Stanton Barrett
Cale Gale
Justin Diercks
Richard Johns
Morgan Shephard
Chase Miller
Brett Rowe
D. J. Kennington
Sam Hornish Jr.
Ron Hornaday
Bobby East
Curtis Davis
Derrike Cope
Kevin Conway
Timothy McCreadie
David Green
Todd Bodine
Mark Green
Guys, if you are real race fans, you have to admit, that would be a really cool field.
"I am not going to make it complicated like JJ does. He can try to baffle you with ####."
Nice.
"Baffle you with ####" = "Use facts instead of touchy-feely emotions to make a point", I guess.
I also don't think it makes you less of a "real race fan" to disagree with how "cool" that field would be. That's some pretty racing-fan-elitist stuff, there.
People here know I use facts or I wouldn't have the following I do. I can't believe that you don't see that. I just try not to beat it to death. I do like to keep it simpler than you do though.
I think most fans will agree with me that the above would be a cool field. You seem to be way into the Cup guys and not really interested in a lot of good lesser known drivers. That's fairly typical. But it is not much of a "race" fan. Call me elitist if you wish, there are many other elitists around here that will agree with me.
Last edited by 14Falcons on August 1st at 5:58 PM.
I've tried to stay out of this discussion.... but I've failed...
Falco,
Let's just pretend I agree with the premise of franchises, and Cup drivers BANS.
I have one question for you. Who's gonna pay for it?
The Sponsors like the system the way it is. The owners like the system the way it is. The "non-real" fans have been coming to the track more, so the track owners are liking that too.
So..... are we gonna tell these people who they can hire? Are we gonna tell them which of their employees they can use, and where they can use them? Are we gonna start telling people how/ where/ and on what they can spend THEIR money?
That just seems a bit....... socialist, to me...
I think seeing THE BEST drivers, in the BEST cars, is COOL.
I think I mostly objected to you characterizing it as "####" rather than "numbers" or "stats" or something, as though I'm just making stuff up. If it was truly a "friendly jab", then no worries.
I'm not so much "way into the Cup drivers" as not interested in seeing them locked out of the series because they are "too good". Would I be less likely to go out of my way to watch a "no Cup drivers"-Busch race? Maybe. Probably. I certainly would go out of my way TO watch it, though.
And "elitist" pretty much implies "minority", which I'm pretty sure is how NASCAR feels. The Busch Series has been fine just like this for 25 years, so *I* don't see any reason to change it.
Although it will probably never happen, I do like the Busch only drivers in BUSCH. It was ok to have the Wackers in Busch to get more fan following but I think the wackers have out lasted their usefulness in Busch..
Considering the continuous falacy that NASCAR has dumped onto the fans , I am finding the open wheel races to be more interesting.I am sure TEZ will enjoy hearing that.. Also the grid gals are a nice bonus.
Hey Falcons: I liked the post and your picks. Screw the facts and statistics..
The owners would love it becuse they would get more control of the sport. I am not sure that is necessarily good. But it could be. Despite CART's filure, the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL owners do a pretty good job.
The Cup fans would learn to appreciate the Busch drivers just like I and many others have. If they can get exposure, then they become famous too. See Dale Ernhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Gregg Biffle, Martin Truex Jr., Scott Riggs and Jeff Green.
I know some people disgree but you don't see Barry Bonds playing AAA games, unless he is recovering from an injury or something. NASCAR fans need to change their mentality if the sport is going to continue to grow.
Of course that gets back to an earlier position of mine that would still work. Seperating the Cup venues from the Busch venues more often, making it harder for drivers to run both circuits as much and removing the "Cup Practice" opportunity from the ekwation would go a long way toward solving the Buschwacking problem (My cue kwit working). That would eliminate your Socialist fears.
Last edited by 14Falcons on August 2nd at 1:14 PM.
"The owners would love it becuse they would get more control of the sport. I am not sure that is necessarily good. But it could be. Despite CART's filure, the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL owners do a pretty good job."
1. If the owners would "love" it, they would do it already. NASCAR has been in business for nearly 60 years, and if there was a better business model that the owners perceived, they would have either tried to take over NASCAR or break away with their own series, don't you think?
2. The owners in the stick-and-ball sports deal with unionized players, where labor agreements are collectively bargained. Not gonna happen in NASCAR.
3. Did you *actually* reference NHL owners (our sport skipped an entire season and is barely on the radar) as an argument for who NASCAR should be MORE like? Also, there have been numerous strikes and lockouts in the NBA, NFL, and MLB. There is no labor discord between drivers and owners in NASCAR because the dynamic is different, and there isn't a need to change the dynamic.
Good idea,falcons, but only in your dreams.
Big names sell the tickets,fill the seats for
Busch. Not only does Nascar love it but I`m sure
the Busch regulars dont mind the extra pay-probably earn more finishing 10th with the Cup
guys then winning would pay without them.
I agree it would be great racing,just like the
truck series, but we`ll never see it.
"But all this must be suffered by those who profess the stern order of chivalry" Most Interesting Blog, June 16, 2008 and six other occasions. Lisa awarded him Best "breaking news" blogger March 31, 2008. Blog of The Day, Christmas Day, 2007. edhardiman wrote, "Falco's tribute to Rocket Richard reminds us all the stars of today stand on the shoulders of giants..." October 23, 2007. Three Golden Swirrly p00p Awards (Hockey, NASCAR and Use of Graphics), FlyingPig, July 18, 2007. 2007 Memorial Day Weekend Trifecta sponsored by williamwilman . Featured on WFORacingFans April, 2007. "Stylin'" award, Dusty, February 07. "One of ten new bloggers to watch" Dudski, January 2007.
