Some wise people have said the definition of Insanity is;   "Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results"   I'd tend to agree with these wise words and I think all of us are seeing a bit of this so called "Insanity" within the rank and file of the Sprint Cup Series Ownership(s).  

I am not specifically speaking about the recent change of crews at Richard Childress Racing, but regurgitating, over and over again the same ole mediocre drivers hoping that pairing them with a new crew chief and a new crop of crew members will bring some kind of talent out of them that just isn't there in the first place, or there anymore, is just wrong and in my mind could be some of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Owner's version of, the definition of Insanity!  

I'm not going to name names here, but if you take a look at current Sprint Cup Driver(s) Point Standings positions 25 thru 40 you will clearly see some examples of what I am talking about.    

 Bring on the kids: BRAVO to the folks @ Hendrick Motorsports for bringing on Brad Keselowski and the same for the folks at Joe Gibbs Racing for being brave enough to bring along into the Cup Series the young and very talented, Joey Logano. Both these guys have understandably struggled a bit within their growth into Cup Series, but now both are beginning to shine and most likely will have long lasting Cup careers as we move forward.  

Logano particularly impressed me at Darlington as he kept his car under control and raced the race and raced the car he was given. In this case, I think we have to give some credit not only to JD and Coach Gibbs, but also to the folks at Home Depot who bravely agreed to stand behind moving this very young man into the big leagues and were willing to wait for his maturation before they would again see the type of results Tony Stewart was consistently giving them. This took guts and together the Gibbs folks and the folks at Home Depot took some shots from the media and they stood strong. They need to be commended for this and many other owners can now learn from their lead as the time has come to graduate some more of the kids that are diligently working to rise thru the ranks and into the Cup series so that some of the not so good and mediocre drivers that have been somewhat milking the good sponsors of our sport for years, can now move along.  

Young kids succeeding in our sport is a good story ! And we need more good stories right now !   

Also ran, fledging drivers who have fledged for years upon years, demanding millions of dollars in salary and perks up the Ying Yang, need to go home or drop down a series if they are not producing.    

Who's on the Rise:

Justin Allgaier has done so well and impressed the heck out of me this year in his Penske Nationwide Series ride, I do believe he is just a year away from being able to dip his toe in the water of the Cup Series. Allgaier, a graduate from the ARCA RE/MAX Series {reigning 2008 Champion} has surprised many with his maturity and car control from the word "Go." I do believe, like Logano and Kesolowski, Allgaier is moving along the line to embark in the Cup Series before too long.   Right behind him will be this year's self predicted ARCA Series Champion;

Justin Lofton. Lofton should follow along Allgaier's foot steps provided he keeps his head on straight and continues to make the progress he's currently making.

Sean Caisse is a name we should all get used to, as well. Caisse won the recent Rockingham ARCA event in the Billy Venturini  No. 15 hot rod. And after a somewhat rocky debut at Dover International Speedway a few years back in the Kevin Harvick Nationwide Series ride, I do believe that Caisse has the talent to go very far in this business and you will be hearing more about him in the near future. Other candidates to follow suit could be Roush Racing's

Eric Darnell. Provided the folks at Roush unleash this kid before he grows a gray beard, I think a continued full time ride in the Nationwide Series could also launch him to the Cup Series in less than a year and a half. I also like what I see thus far in

Brian Ickler. Learn this name because this young man is very impressive and he has a lot of the early career qualities of what I saw in Kyle Busch and is in fact, currently under Kyle's wing. I personally believe that Brian Ickler is about to make some big noise within the NASCAR ranks within the next few years.  

There's more kids coming and I don't believe all of them are going to be boys. NASCAR needs this new influx of kids. It keeps the sport fresh and growing and it gives the car owners more to sell instead of giving really good sponsors that dig our sport the same ole "Fuddy Duddy" Underachiever. Stay Tuned !    

Notes:  

I really do like Dale Earnhart Jr and in a way, I feel for him right now. This sport is tough in that when you're down, the press are most likely going to pick you apart and in the case of Junior this rings true, loud and clear. I think what Jr's camp and Jr's Nation needs to realize is; that if you're gonna "Talk the Talk" in being touted and more importantly, PAID as the "Sport's Icon" then you're gonna be expected to compete as the "Sports Icon" and live up to the expectations of the folks paying you, thus "Walking the Walk."

Herein lies the current dilemma in the overwhelming scrutiny that is coming Dale Jr's way. As the sports most popular and most touted driver, plain and simple, he's just gotta drive his way out of this mess, a little at a time.