February 1st, 2012 
T.C. The last several NASCAR offseasons have all shared an unsettling common theme: contraction. 2011 was no different. In the Cup Series alone, we lost both Red Bull cars, a team from both Childress and Roush Fenway, and the privateer TRG Motorsports. And there were several more losses from the Nationwide and Truck Series. For those that work in and around the sport, it’s been a tough few years. But there is hope for the future, even if it’s small. Those empty spots on the grid mean opportunity for small teams and unknown drivers looking to break into NASCAR.
In the Cup Series, it seems new teams are coming out of the woodworks to compete. Names like Robinson Blakeney, and Sinica have announced plans to race full or part time schedules. Add to that teams like RAB Racing, Turn One, Go Green Racing, and Means Motorsports, who have competed at lower levels but will now attempt one or more Cup races.
Fewer top teams also means that existing small teams will have an easier time making races and competing. Tommy Baldwin Racing, Front Row Motorsports, FAS Lane, and Inception are all examples of teams that will benefit.
In the NNS and CWTS, car count help is coming in the form of new teams and existing teams expanding. Richard Petty Motorsports, Kyle Busch Motorsports, and Tommy Baldwin Racing are all adding Nationwide programs. Eddie Sharp will now have two full time truck teams, as will Joe Denette Motorsports. RAB will run the full truck schedule with John Wes Townley, and Thorsport is now a three truck operation with the addition of Dakoda Armstrong. Veteran crew chief Richie Wauters has started his own truck team with Paulie Harraka driving, and Ward and Jeb Burton have teamed up with the Hillman’s for a new truck effort.
For some of these new small teams, the probability of doing anything more than starting and parking is low. Sponsorship is still very difficult to come by and many of these teams are without significant resources. But if a few are able to find a foothold, than the sport will be all the better because of it.
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I’m all for not only more teams, but new teams. However that is as long as the new teams and existing teams for that matter are showing up at the track every week to race, not Start & Park. If these new teams are there to Stark & Park, then go home. Sorry, but there not doing fans or NASCAR any favors. And yes I would rather see 39 “funded” car fields instead of 43 car fields with some starting and parking.
With that said, SHR has a third team that is combined with TBR which is good for David Reutimann and that’s a good thing. RFR is going to use the #6 in Cup for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in a few races and RCR is going to use the #33 for a few drivers in a few races. And MWR added a third team in #15 of Clint Bowyer.
So goodbye Red Bull, hello MWR third team and SHR third team.
By the way, welcome back NASCAR Insiders, good to see you back online.
It’s good to read a new article on TNI. Welcome back from Blog vacation. So far this off season has been anything but off. If the actual NASCAR season is anything like this off season you will have more then you want to write about.
Glad you are back guys!!!!! Appreciate the super insight you both have in NASCAR. Looking forward to “Ask the Insiders” – great answers to questions from all fans.
Not only do the S&P teams often turn into full-race teams, they also keep some of the unfunded drivers in view so they can continue to promote themselves.
Don’t crap on the S&P teams.
Who will Drive for Sinica Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series in 2012?
TBR is a perfect example of a S&P team that is moving towards being a weekly full time player. JTG is another team that has become a cup regular (although not a S&P they were a part timmer to start with).
On the plus side of the TBR deal with SHR, Reutimann is a favorite of mine and I am hoping he kicks the collective butts of the #55 this year.
First, a hearty welcome back! Let’s go racin’!!!
The loss of some top teams also bodes well for the smaller teams. A team that used to be a start and park may now have enough money to finish each week, and cars that used to finish 33rd might now move up to 25th as the Big Boys shrink a mite, and that 25th might mean enough money to run another race. I’ve been a fan for a while and vaguely recall some short fields. I think in the last few years we’ve had 43 Cup entries (everyone raced), but even in the doldrums of the last couple of years there have usually been 44 or 45 cars showing up. Too bad they can’t all race, right, Mike D if you’re out there?
It’s good to see the blog back for the 2012 season. It looks like it’s going to be an interesting one.
Yay you’re back you’re back yay yay yay. Intelligent fluff-less reporting returns.