Read the debate intro and Loyal Homer’s argument that Sprint Cup drivers should not be allowed to compete in the Nationwide Championship Series.
Before we get to the REAL heart of the debate, I will quickly touch on why NASCAR loves the idea of Sprint Cup drivers racing in the Nationwide Series.
Consider the Albuquerque Isotopes. During the three-game series where major leaguer Manny Ramirez was assigned to their minor league roster, the 15,000 seat stadium they play in was completely sold out. Pre-sold tickets for that series numbered near 7,000, compared to “average” sales which number normally in the hundreds.
The “big names” in sports are draws at any event and any location. It makes good business sense for NASCAR to continue this practice.
But, enough about that. Nobody really cares if NASCAR benefits financially from it. What I want to discuss is whether or not this is good for the sport, and whether or not it benefits drivers and fans.
For me, this comes down to one simple principle – To be the best, you’ve gotta beat the best!
While some feel that it is unfair for Sprint Cup drivers to race in the Nationwide Series, I would argue that the up-and-coming Nationwide drivers are actually in a position of advantage over many of their minor-league counterparts in other sports.
Do you know how many minor league pitchers would give their non-pitching arm just to show what THEY can do against guys like Albert Pujols? Imagine being a shortstop for a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees. Do you think they’ll have ANY opportunity to showcase their skills in the majors as long as Derek Jeter is around?
Well, for the drivers in the Nationwide Series, they DO get that opportunity… and they get it often. These drivers get to show what they have against some of the best that stock-car racing has to offer. Sure, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards currently sit at first and second in the standings, but third in the standings is Brad Keselowski.
Keselowski, who races #23 for the Keith Coleman Racing Team, joined the racing circuit in 2007. After finishing 25th in the standings his rookie season, Keselowski finished third in the standings last year, and currently holds the third place ranking this year by nearly 150 points. Keselowski, who just last weekend beat Kyle Busch heads-up at Iowa Speedway, has already notched two wins this year, along with 11 top five finishes. While Keselowski is undoubtedly thrilled with his win, it is the fact that he beat Kyle Busch heads-up which makes the win impressive!
In 2008, Keselowski finished higher in money standings than series champion Clint Bowyer, a full-time Sprint Cup driver (Bowyer finished fifth in the final Sprint Cup standings), and finished more than 300 points ahead of Kyle Busch in the final standings.
Critics are quick to point out that Busch has finished at second or better in the last nine Nationwide races. What they do not point out, however, is that the only other time this feat was accomplished happened in 1983. If this were some pedestrian accomplishment that happened just because Busch is that much better than the Nationwide field, wouldn’t it have been accomplished more than twice ever, and more than once in the last 26 years? Yes, Kyle Busch is having a tremendous season in the Nationwide Series, but that does not mean that he should be prohibited from racing in the series because he is too good!
When you consider Busch’s previous seasons in the Nationwide Series, he has only finished one season in the top five, coming in second in the standings in 2004. That means that 2009 (if the standings hold) will mark only the second time he finishes in the top five, despite joining the league in 2003 and racing full time in it for many of those seasons. As a side note, Busch’s Sprint Cup standings have not been much better, with his best results being fifth and tenth place finishes in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
Racing against the “Buschwhackers” provides a better litmus test for up-and-coming drivers in the Series. Previous champions of the series (before buschwhackers) such as Brian Vickers and Martin Truex, Jr. have struggled after moving on to the “big-leagues.” Perhaps if they had an opportunity for more experience against some of the Cup drivers while “developing” they would have been better prepared for their transition. When Keselowski eventually moves on to Sprint Cup, he will definitely be better prepared than his predecessors!
By allowing Sprint Cup drivers to race in the Nationwide Series, the fans, the drivers, and NASCAR all win. NASCAR benefits financially, Nationwide Series drivers can test their mettle against the “best” in racing and gain more exposure, and the fans get more opportunities to see the biggest names in the sport. How can any of that be bad?!
