The 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Season!

[MJ_N_09]

ugh. 2 of the 4 Roush cars unsponsored because noone wants to sponsor a non Cup driver it seems.

[MJ_N_09]

Also, seems that Danica gets it now. She's moving up. There's hope for Danica Nation after all.


Although, I wonder where the praise for Scott and Buscher are. they have similar N'wide experience as Danica, but hardly get a mention.

[Senninha24]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

ugh. 2 of the 4 Roush cars unsponsored because noone wants to sponsor a non Cup driver it seems.

it's getting out of hand really. nationwide was supposed to be Tier 2, one step before Cup, and it needs to be that. Now it's just a Cup drivers extended warmup session.

I think they need to impose a race limit for full time cup drivers (with the exception of first or second years maybe, where they can run both full time) but you either commit or run 10 or so so you don't start fiddling with the championship that should involve prospective cup talents. sponsors should be looking at getting a young driver in to the big show, not making money off some 5 + year vet who's experience + equipment makes him a shoe-in.

[rustyfan]

Danica just made a new friend by getting into #81 McDowell, sending them both into the wall.

[MJ_N_09]

Originally Posted by Senninha24

it's getting out of hand really. nationwide was supposed to be Tier 2, one step before Cup, and it needs to be that. Now it's just a Cup drivers extended warmup session.

I think they need to impose a race limit for full time cup drivers (with the exception of first or second years maybe, where they can run both full time) but you either commit or run 10 or so so you don't start fiddling with the championship that should involve prospective cup talents. sponsors should be looking at getting a young driver in to the big show, not making money off some 5 + year vet who's experience + equipment makes him a shoe-in.

Rumors are that Nascar actually thinks that limiting cup drivers will hurt attendance at the races and lose viewers. We're stuck with what we have.

[MJ_N_09]

Originally Posted by rustyfan

Danica just made a new friend by getting into #81 McDowell, sending them both into the wall.

No surprise, she blames McDowell for coming down on her.

[DanicaFan]

Well, that sucks, Michael McDowell takes Danica out of the race at lap 84.

[Senninha24]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Rumors are that Nascar actually thinks that limiting cup drivers will hurt attendance at the races and lose viewers. We're stuck with what we have.

well that's just great.

i guess there aren't enough real fans. they just want to see the same names in three different types of cars running three different distances.

[gomick]

Be good to see Justin Allgaier get a race win...

[DanicaFan]

Here are the final results....

1.#33 Kevin Harvick
2. #20 Denny Hamlin
3. #60 Carl Edwards
4.#22 Brad Keselowski
5. #32 Brian Vickers
6. #99 Trevor Bayne
7. #12 Justin Allgaier
8. #98 Paul Menard
9. #27 Greg Biffle
10. #66 Steve Wallace
11. #01 Mike Wallace
12. #38 Jason Leffler
13. #62 Brandon Gaughan
14. #09 Scott Riggs
15. #21 John Wes Townley
16. #18 Kyle Busch
17. #43 Scott Lagasse Jr.
18. #87 Joe Nemechek
19. #61 Josh Wise
20. #70 Shelby Howard
21. #34 Eric McClure
22. #34 Tony Raines
23. #07 Danny Efland
24. #31 Stanton Barrett
25. #05 Willie Allen
26. #23 Robert Richardson Jr.
27. #40 Mike Bliss
28. #16 Colin Braun
29. #1 James Buescher
30. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
31. #11 Brian Scott
32. #26 Brian Keselowski
33. #15 Michael Annett
34. #28 Kenny Wallace
35. #42 Parker Kligerman
36. #7 Danica Patrick
37. #56 Kevin Lepage
38. #90 Danny O'Quinn Jr.
39. #81 Michael McDowell
40. #10 Chad Blount
41. #49 Mark Green
42. #88 Kelly Bires
43. #96 Dennis Setzer

[chavez]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

No surprise, she blames McDowell for coming down on her.

And McDowell agrees with her.

[Senninha24]

Originally Posted by chavez

And McDowell agrees with her.

100% too.

I don't know, she was really holding her own out there, playing a smart game, on pace better than in California.

There really is nothing to hate. She wants to give it a try and well she's done given it a solid effort at that. We'll see if she can improve in IRL (because she needs that this season to be taken seriously) and we'll see her in June. But I think she's had less of her own mistakes so far than Sam Hornish Jr at this point a few seasons ago.

[gomick]

Think the commentators mentioned yesterday that it took one of the best open wheel drivers in JPM 3 years before he became the real deal in NASCAR - problem is all the media hype, not Danica herself...
And DanicaFan - talk her up etc, just dont get over emotional about her, she is a big girl & will do ok

[Knowlesy]

So it took one of the top five drivers in the world a couple of years to get up to a consistent high level. How long for a mediocre one?

[gomick]

Time will tell... Should she be given a chance?

[Knowlesy]

Yeah, sure. But if she is poor, she shouldn't hang around for years just because the money is good.

[gomick]

Well, that goes for every driver - get' em out if they are poo... Funny how we are talking about this after 3 races or so

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

So it took one of the top five drivers in the world a couple of years to get up to a consistent high level. How long for a mediocre one?

As a point of reference, a certain Jimmie Johnson wasn't that much better in his first three Nationwide races than Danica has been so far either - in fact, Johnson had just four top five finishes (including one lone victory) in the 72 Nationwide races he did before stepping up to the Cup Series.

Now I'm not thinking Patrick is a future four-time Cup Champion, but I do think she could use a break from the massive pressure and scrutiny she has to go through

[Senninha24]

Originally Posted by rustyfan

As a point of reference, a certain Jimmie Johnson wasn't that much better in his first three Nationwide races than Danica has been so far either - in fact, Johnson had just four top five finishes (including one lone victory) in the 72 Nationwide races he did before stepping up to the Cup Series.

Now I'm not thinking Patrick is a future four-time Cup Champion, but I do think she could use a break from the massive pressure and scrutiny she has to go through

Well said.

Yea I haven't seen anything wrong really so far. I've seen progress in these three races, and especially between California to Las Vegas. She was driving a smooth, smart race in Vegas before being taken out. Plus the transfer from open-wheel to stock car takes a lot of time. I think she'll be better, and will do it quicker than Mr. Sideways Sam at Penske. He's pushed the transfer phase to the limit and should be warming that seat for Allgaier or Kligerman in the near future. Montoya was pretty rough at the start as well.

Give her some time. I'm no Danice fanboy by any means, I just try to look at everything objectively, and the facts of the matter is stockcar racing is tough, especially when coming from openwheel. Now I am annoyed about all the attention, seeing where she is every lap, hearing her name all the time because to me she's just another driver. A superstar, no way, but good, yes, and following her 4 stock car races she can't have that many conclusions drawn yet as I wouldn't draw any conclusions about anyone in that situation with those performances, following 4 races. I give it some time like anyone deserves.

[MJ_N_09]

Giving everyone some stuff to look at during the week:

USFidelis has gone Ch. 11 and owes RWR about 500k in cash. Sucks to be them.

Looks like Coleman Pressley will drive some races for R3 Motorsports.

[MJ_N_09]

The #7 has been upgraded from partial to full-time status. Scott Wimmer will be in the car at Bristol.



Wimmer in the #7 at Bristol; team plans full season: JR Motorsports officials announced this week its goal for the #7 program is to race the full 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule as opposed to the previously-announced 13 races in which Danica Patrick will drive. Complete sponsorship details and drivers are to be determined; however, veteran racer Scott Wimmer will take the wheel of the #7 Chevy this Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway and April 3 at Nashville Superspeedway. "This is something we've been considering for awhile now, and the bottom line is the No. 7 car is too good not to be at the race track," said JRM co-owner and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. "Our goal at JR Motorsports has always been to have two full-time Nationwide Series teams competing every week. Our sponsorship situation with the No. 88 has shown significant progress, and hopefully we'll have announcements soon. We'll work just as hard to get the No. 7 fully funded."(JR Motorsports PR)(3-15-2010)

[DanicaFan]

They will have to find sponsorship for the #7 car because GoDaddy.com will not sponsor the car if Danica isnt driving it.

[FIRE]

Didn't know Eury Jr is co-owner of JR Motorsport. Thought it was owned by Junior, his sister and Rick Hendrick.

[dyewat808]

I have to say I feel sorry for Danica - she's under so much pressure!

[gomick]

Awesome to see Justin Allgaier get his 1st Nationwide race win