ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass noted NASCAR will "ban full-time" Cup drivers from the regular-season finale and playoff races in its developmental series "starting next season as it tries to find a way to get more of its up-and-coming drivers to Victory Lane." The biggest concern was that cars "would go away if the sponsorship to field them for a full season" -- approximately $5-6M for a top Xfinity Series ride and $3-4M for a Camping World Truck Series ride -- is "not enough because sponsors aren't willing to pay for drivers trying to establish their names." In Xfinity Series races this year, drivers with "more than five years full-time Cup experience have won six races" (ESPN.com, 8/1).
DIFFERENT KIND OF CUP: Pockrass noted NASCAR "doesn't expect many changes in its drug testing program after switching the collection agency" two weeks ago, but the sanctioning body still has "to do a little more work." Driver Brad Keselowski: "I got drug tested the first week and they asked for about twice the sample size, and I just can't pee that much." When NASCAR implemented its program in '09, Aegis Sciences "collected the samples at the track and then tested the samples in its labs." But now with Drug Free Sport as collection agency, they will "send the samples to the Sports Medicine and Research Testing Laboratory for analysis." Drug Free Sport also has the NFL, MiLB and PGA Tour as clients (ESPN.com, 8/2).
TIME TO WORRY? In L.A., Mark Whicker wrote under the header, "If The Cars Don't Matter Anymore, Does NASCAR?" The sanctioning body has a "lush TV deal" through '24, but whether the sponsors "will be as plentiful is a little more worrisome" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 8/2). Target last week announced its exit from NASCAR and appears to be focusing its efforts on soccer, and in Orlando, David Whitley wrote MLS is "starting to elbow NASCAR out of a seat at the head table of America's sports" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/2).
