Comments on: Could They Make It In Today’s NASCAR? http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/08/25/could-they-make-it-in-todays-nascar/ A blog by insiders for outsiders Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:03:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Journo http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/08/25/could-they-make-it-in-todays-nascar/comment-page-1/#comment-818 Journo Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:16:35 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=163#comment-818 Marty - Great points. The ability to work your way up in NASCAR racing has all but disappeared and the corporate side of the sport has, for better or worse, taken over. With that, youth and good looks have become a vital thing within the sport. Compare a Joe Weatherly to a Joey Logano. Joe Weatherly was without a doubt one of the most talented drivers the sport has seen, but he was not the most attractive man in the world. Joey Logano on the other hand has talent and marketable face. If a 30 year old Joe Weatherly were to show up in NASCAR today (as he did in 1952) it is doubtful any team owner would take a second look at him. You also make a great point about the state of driver development. I am no advocate of the current school of thought. It is one thing to have an 18 year old driver running a truck or Nationwide car, it is another to push him into cup. Thanks for the post! Marty – Great points. The ability to work your way up in NASCAR racing has all but disappeared and the corporate side of the sport has, for better or worse, taken over. With that, youth and good looks have become a vital thing within the sport. Compare a Joe Weatherly to a Joey Logano. Joe Weatherly was without a doubt one of the most talented drivers the sport has seen, but he was not the most attractive man in the world. Joey Logano on the other hand has talent and marketable face. If a 30 year old Joe Weatherly were to show up in NASCAR today (as he did in 1952) it is doubtful any team owner would take a second look at him.

You also make a great point about the state of driver development. I am no advocate of the current school of thought. It is one thing to have an 18 year old driver running a truck or Nationwide car, it is another to push him into cup.

Thanks for the post!

]]> By: JT http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/08/25/could-they-make-it-in-todays-nascar/comment-page-1/#comment-813 JT Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:05:53 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=163#comment-813 About this time last year, Kyle Busch was signing on with JGR. At the time of signing, only Norm Miller's Interstate Batteries was willing to sponsor him, and they could only afford a partial season. Busch had obvious talent, but had some image issues. This was especially true after being shown the door at Hendrick. However, JGR went to bat for Busch with Mars Candy (M&M's) and got him fully sponsored. Now see what's happened! I guess my point is that even a rough-image, non-P.C. driver from the past like Pearson or Trickle could still find a top ride in today's NASCAR thanks to their driving talents. About this time last year, Kyle Busch was signing on with JGR. At the time of signing, only Norm Miller’s Interstate Batteries was willing to sponsor him, and they could only afford a partial season. Busch had obvious talent, but had some image issues. This was especially true after being shown the door at Hendrick. However, JGR went to bat for Busch with Mars Candy (M&M’s) and got him fully sponsored.

Now see what’s happened!

I guess my point is that even a rough-image, non-P.C. driver from the past like Pearson or Trickle could still find a top ride in today’s NASCAR thanks to their driving talents.

]]> By: Marty C http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/08/25/could-they-make-it-in-todays-nascar/comment-page-1/#comment-810 Marty C Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:13:44 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=163#comment-810 I have to admit, your headline sent me off in another, completely different direction. I became very defensive when I immediately thought, of course yesterday’s drives could make it in today’s races, after all, they drove much bigger, heavier cars with no power steering that handled like tanks, and no air conditioned helmets or cool suits. With today’s equipment they’d eat up theses kids and spit them out. After reading the article I have to admit, you pose an interesting question, and in all honesty I’d have to say, certainly not as many. Today it seems you have to start racing at 11 or 12 years old and then and then drive whatever is available until you reach 18, then you get yanked up to on of the 3 NASCAR touring series. Back in the day, you worked your way up racing something you built out in the garage behind the house until you caught the eye of one of the big owners or factories. Back then you were just catching your chance at the big time at the age that today’s drivers are starting to consider retirement, and why not, you’ve made as much money in one year as most of them did in a lifetime. Also, back then the main requirement was you had to be able to drive a race car and keep your owner happy. Now a days the most important thing isn’t how well you can drive, but that you are good looking enough to keep the Madison Avenue types happy. Many of yesterday’s drivers may have been able to pass every car on the track several times, but they would never pass that “good looks” test. I have to admit, your headline sent me off in another, completely different direction. I became very defensive when I immediately thought, of course yesterday’s drives could make it in today’s races, after all, they drove much bigger, heavier cars with no power steering that handled like tanks, and no air conditioned helmets or cool suits. With today’s equipment they’d eat up theses kids and spit them out.

After reading the article I have to admit, you pose an interesting question, and in all honesty I’d have to say, certainly not as many. Today it seems you have to start racing at 11 or 12 years old and then and then drive whatever is available until you reach 18, then you get yanked up to on of the 3 NASCAR touring series. Back in the day, you worked your way up racing something you built out in the garage behind the house until you caught the eye of one of the big owners or factories. Back then you were just catching your chance at the big time at the age that today’s drivers are starting to consider retirement, and why not, you’ve made as much money in one year as most of them did in a lifetime. Also, back then the main requirement was you had to be able to drive a race car and keep your owner happy. Now a days the most important thing isn’t how well you can drive, but that you are good looking enough to keep the Madison Avenue types happy. Many of yesterday’s drivers may have been able to pass every car on the track several times, but they would never pass that “good looks” test.

]]>