Does Chase For The Sprint Cup Devalue Individual NASCAR Races?

Has Chase For The Sprint Cup Cheapened Accomplishment Of Winning Races?

LACKING MUSCLE: In L.A., Jim Peltz writes NASCAR "hoped that Detroit would use racing versions of its iconic 'muscle cars' to widen" the appeal of the Nationwide Series as it "transitions to a new type of car." Ford last month announced that it will run its Mustang model in the Nationwide Series beginning next season, but the automaker "might turn out to be the exception." GM Racing Dir Mark Kent said that Chevrolet "will not run the Camaro in the Nationwide Series but will use the Impala instead." Kent said NASCAR asked GM to "look at running the Camaro in the Nationwide Series." But he added, "As we looked at trying to fit the Camaro into the required templates, we just could not get to a design that we felt did not compromise the iconic lines [of the Camaro]." Meanwhile, Dodge Motorsports Communications Manager Dan Reid said that Dodge "has not decided which car to enter despite widespread media speculation that it would use the Challenger." Peltz notes Dodge "hasn't determined whether it will support any type of Dodge in the Nationwide Series." NASCAR VP/Competition Robin Pemberton: "We're hoping they see an opportunity here to market their muscle cars or 'pony cars.' We're optimistic there will be more to follow [Ford]" (L.A. TIMES, 8/7).

STATUS QUO: Stewart-Haas Racing co-Owner/driver Tony Stewart said that he "doesn't foresee" the team "expanding to include a third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2010." Stewart: "We would pretty much have to have the decision, the agreements on all that already done. We'd have to have the driver, the sponsor; we'd have to have that done by now to be able for it to be feasible for next year" (SCENEDAILY.com, 8/5). In Las Vegas, Mike Smith wrote, "Smart move. There's really no reason for Stewart to do that now, especially in this economic climate. Isn’t rapid expansion what has gotten so many people and corporations into trouble in the first place?" (LASVEGASSUN.com, 8/6).

Print This Article