"Salutations" or why Nationwide is dead.

by MattHaggard on May 17, 2009 2:10 PM EDT

Hi everyone. Fearless Leader has brought me in to the fold to fill in a couple of cracks here on Ranting and Raving. Most notably, the Nationwide and Truck Series. So in the next couple of months, I hope to bring insight and promote discussion about those two circuits. That is not to say that I won’t write a Cup post every now and then but you can find those opinions in the race discussion if you wish.

Now, towards the Nationwide Series -- the heart of my new duties and the focus of this post. Why should you care about NASCAR’s number-two series? In short: I have no idea. I hope to find out. NASCAR has some serious problems surrounding its AAA-organization, problems that have turned me off to the series over the years.

The former Busch Series is facing one serious identity crisis and the Sanctioning Body has enabled it. The Grand National Series was once the proving ground of the organization. The best of the young talent had to prove themselves against their peers before getting the chance to go Cup Racing. Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. are all prime examples of what the ‘proving grounds’ was meant for.

Competition increased in the Cup Series and track time became invaluable in the mid-90’s, Cup teams decided to use the Busch Series as an extra Happy Hour for their drivers and the Buschwackers, Cup drivers dominating Busch, were born. The concept proved successful and the resulting Cup infusion turned the Nationwide Series into a Cup-lite. For that reason, the Nationwide Series has become stale.

So what can be done? Very little. NASCAR has made its bed and has to lie in it. The Sanctioning Body relies of the draw of Cup drivers for its ticket sales and brand identity. Meanwhile, ARCA has taken over as the true proving ground of stock car racing. However, ARCA is mired in obscurity without the NASCAR label and because of that fans are missing out on the true rising talent of our sport.

The Nationwide Series’ fall is not lost on many of you and their ratings reflect it. In the coming months, I hope to find the appeal of this faceless series along with all of you. So buckle up and get ready for the ride. In the meanwhile, what do you feel can be done to give Nationwide an identity. What can be fixed in the series? Stay tuned later this week as my next post will analyze my changes to NASCAR’s number-two series.

I really look forward to your participation and feedback. Thanks to Bob and all of you for reading and welcoming me to the RaR family. You can reach me at jmatthewweaver@aol.com and on the boards.

Kirk Out.

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I think the Nationwide series

should use ‘pony’ cars like the mustangs, cameros, and challengers – that would certainly give it more of an identity. Also limit the number of races that cup regulars can run in any given season and that would emlinate the dominance of Cup regulars at the top of the driver standings.

by 4ever3 on May 12, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

One other note about the Series.

Is it really a surprise that the last few Rookie of The Year’s have gone on to do nothing in the Cup Series? (Juan Pablo does not count considering his background.)

Matt Kenseth and Dale Jr. raced in the series right before and up until the Buschwacker invasion. Is it any surprise that they are the most recent Nationwide regulars to have any success in Cup?

The book is out on Joey Logano but I think it is fair to say that NASCAR is going to be hurting to find new stars unless they can fix their B-Series.

by MattHaggard on May 12, 2009 7:55 PM EDT reply actions

intill they stop full time sprint cup drivers from racing in nationwide I will care less about. Its so simple what they should do. simple not let full time drivers race. cup Truck for the older drivers that want somthing less racing and less work. Let Nationwide become the triple aaa it should be.

"There are no next times when you're competing for big things." - Tom Izzo
Go Spartans

by msufan23 on May 12, 2009 9:59 PM EDT reply actions

Nationwide Series, Truck Series, what's the difference?

I think in light of the economy, fewer sponsors, fewer teams, lack of manufacturer support, all of the cup drivers and more, if I were NASCAR, I would merge the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series together using the Truck Series rules exception the pitstop rules, then go with the Nationwide Series rules and the Truck Series racecars (you can use the new Nationwide COT, but why spend the money).., that would create on 43 trucks field.

That would open the door for good drivers, more sponsors, and a real 43 car field, no start and parks allowed, your there to race period. It’s a GT or Sportsmen Series

by racedriven on May 13, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

That would just ruin the truck series. Its fine older drivers go to truck when they want to go from a 7 day a week job to move of a 4 day a week job. The only thing that the trucks could do to get better is get off speed

"There are no next times when you're competing for big things." - Tom Izzo
Go Spartans

by msufan23 on May 16, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions