Field Fillers May Re-emerge in Sprint Cup
Jeremy Dunn asked:
Many Nascar fans recall the years of the field fillers. In the early 2000’s, it was not uncommon for low-budget, fourth-tier teams to show up at the track hoping just to start the race and collect a paycheck before heading home. In 2004, the field filler era arrived at its peak, as the start and park routine became excessively recurrent. It seemed as if NASCAR was dead set on having a forty-three car field each and every race despite the fact that there were only 36 or 37 truly competitive teams.You may remember the names Andy Belmont, Andy Hillenburg, Hermie Sadler, Joe Ruttman, Carl Long, Stanton Barrett, Kirk Shelmerdine, and Morgan Shepherd. They were some of the so-called field fillers. It was not uncommon for those drivers to be several seconds off the pace in comparison to the leaders. At times, their dawdling pace frustrated the leaders.
At the time, some mid-level NASCAR teams did not realize how good they had it. There was only a diminutive chance that they could miss the race in qualifying. Eventually, the NASCAR field began to expand, and with the advent of Toyota as well as aspiring team owners, many new teams surfaced. By 2007, it became increasingly difficult for several mid-level teams, and even top notch teams to qualify for the show. It was common to have over fifty drivers and teams attempting to qualify. Drivers such as Jeremy Mayfield, Brian Vickers, Michael Waltrip, and even 1999 champion Dale Jarrett were occasionally forced to go home early. At times, it was rather chaotic. The field filler era was no more, and it was now the go or go home era.In 2008, the amount of qualifying entries began to tail off. Several teams began to cutback, while others folded completely. Chip Ganassi Racing was a prime example, as the 40 team closed up shop in July after eleven years on the track. The entry list was, for the most part, back in the forty-something instead of fifty-plus.
Following the 2008 season, the off-season was anything but, and it became merger-mania. Due to sponsorship woes, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated was set to close down at least two teams. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates was faced with a similar quandary. Officials from both organizations began to discuss the prospect of a merger. Ultimately, the two teams became one, hence the name Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Heading into the 2008 Sprint Cupcampaign, there were seven teams between the two organizations. Following the merger, there is likely to be only three teams from the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing camp competing on a full-time basis. Four teams from 2008 are no longer in existence.Gillett Evernham Motorsports was a three-car operation in 2008, while Petty Enterprises encompassed two teams. When the two entities merged into one, Richard Petty Motorsports, or RPM, it is now a three-car operation, with a fourth team competing on a part-time basis.
Hall of Fame Racing amalgamated its resources with Yates Racing, another fledgling Sprint Cup operation. They brought along the sponsor Ask.com as well as 2000 champion Bobby Labonte. While it has become a blessing for Doug Yates and Max Jones, it spelled disaster for David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil, the two drivers that carried the Yates Racing banner in 2008. Gilliland and the 38 team are no more, and Kvapil’s team will unlikely compete in the entire slate of races.Bill Davis Racing sold out and the 22 car is unlikely to attempt many races in 2009, if any at all.Due to the dwindling number of full-time entries at the Sprint Cup level, opportunity is there again for the smalltime teams. In fact, a couple of new teams will attempt the NASCAR schedule. Joe Nemechek, unable to land a Sprint Cup ride, will revive NEMCO Racing and attempt the full Sprint Cup schedule, as well as the Nationwide Series. Former crew chief Tommy Baldwin will begin his new venture as a car owner with Scott Riggs as the driver. Jeremy Mayfield is reportedly set to attempt the driver slash owner undertaking with the opening of Mayfield Motorsports. Other teams such as Phoenix Racing, one of the teams prominently known for starting and parking in 2004, will endeavor to compete in all 36 Sprint Cup events with an assortment of drivers and manufacturers.
They say that everything in NASCAR is cyclical. In a matter of five years, it appears as if the field filler era is returning to NASCAR Sprint Cup racing and the go or go home era is over, at least for now.
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Many Nascar fans recall the years of the field fillers. In the early 2000’s, it was not uncommon for low-budget, fourth-tier teams to show up at the track hoping just to start the race and collect a paycheck before heading home. In 2004, the field filler era arrived at its peak, as the start and park routine became excessively recurrent. It seemed as if NASCAR was dead set on having a forty-three car field each and every race despite the fact that there were only 36 or 37 truly competitive teams.You may remember the names Andy Belmont, Andy Hillenburg, Hermie Sadler, Joe Ruttman, Carl Long, Stanton Barrett, Kirk Shelmerdine, and Morgan Shepherd. They were some of the so-called field fillers. It was not uncommon for those drivers to be several seconds off the pace in comparison to the leaders. At times, their dawdling pace frustrated the leaders.
At the time, some mid-level NASCAR teams did not realize how good they had it. There was only a diminutive chance that they could miss the race in qualifying. Eventually, the NASCAR field began to expand, and with the advent of Toyota as well as aspiring team owners, many new teams surfaced. By 2007, it became increasingly difficult for several mid-level teams, and even top notch teams to qualify for the show. It was common to have over fifty drivers and teams attempting to qualify. Drivers such as Jeremy Mayfield, Brian Vickers, Michael Waltrip, and even 1999 champion Dale Jarrett were occasionally forced to go home early. At times, it was rather chaotic. The field filler era was no more, and it was now the go or go home era.In 2008, the amount of qualifying entries began to tail off. Several teams began to cutback, while others folded completely. Chip Ganassi Racing was a prime example, as the 40 team closed up shop in July after eleven years on the track. The entry list was, for the most part, back in the forty-something instead of fifty-plus.
Following the 2008 season, the off-season was anything but, and it became merger-mania. Due to sponsorship woes, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated was set to close down at least two teams. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates was faced with a similar quandary. Officials from both organizations began to discuss the prospect of a merger. Ultimately, the two teams became one, hence the name Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Heading into the 2008 Sprint Cupcampaign, there were seven teams between the two organizations. Following the merger, there is likely to be only three teams from the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing camp competing on a full-time basis. Four teams from 2008 are no longer in existence.Gillett Evernham Motorsports was a three-car operation in 2008, while Petty Enterprises encompassed two teams. When the two entities merged into one, Richard Petty Motorsports, or RPM, it is now a three-car operation, with a fourth team competing on a part-time basis.
Hall of Fame Racing amalgamated its resources with Yates Racing, another fledgling Sprint Cup operation. They brought along the sponsor Ask.com as well as 2000 champion Bobby Labonte. While it has become a blessing for Doug Yates and Max Jones, it spelled disaster for David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil, the two drivers that carried the Yates Racing banner in 2008. Gilliland and the 38 team are no more, and Kvapil’s team will unlikely compete in the entire slate of races.Bill Davis Racing sold out and the 22 car is unlikely to attempt many races in 2009, if any at all.Due to the dwindling number of full-time entries at the Sprint Cup level, opportunity is there again for the smalltime teams. In fact, a couple of new teams will attempt the NASCAR schedule. Joe Nemechek, unable to land a Sprint Cup ride, will revive NEMCO Racing and attempt the full Sprint Cup schedule, as well as the Nationwide Series. Former crew chief Tommy Baldwin will begin his new venture as a car owner with Scott Riggs as the driver. Jeremy Mayfield is reportedly set to attempt the driver slash owner undertaking with the opening of Mayfield Motorsports. Other teams such as Phoenix Racing, one of the teams prominently known for starting and parking in 2004, will endeavor to compete in all 36 Sprint Cup events with an assortment of drivers and manufacturers.
They say that everything in NASCAR is cyclical. In a matter of five years, it appears as if the field filler era is returning to NASCAR Sprint Cup racing and the go or go home era is over, at least for now.
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Categories: Sports And Fitness Tags: Kirk Shelmerdine, Rsquo, Sprint Cup
Field Fillers May Re-emerge in Sprint Cup
Jeremy Dunn asked:
The 2008 NASCAR Racing Sprint Cup season was dominated by a small circle of teams that have ingeniously advanced their entire programs over the past four or five years. Most NASCAR fans will agree the Roush Fenway Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing are at the zenith of the sport when it comes to on-track performance and achievements. Take a glimpse at the driver roster for each of the above mentioned teams. Roush Fenway Racing boasts a blend of talented personalities in Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, David Ragan, and Jamie McMurray. Hendrick Motorsports owns perhaps the most star-studded lineup in NASCAR history with Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Mark Martin. Richard Childress Racing possesses perhaps the most consistent trio of drivers with Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, and Clint Bowyer. He added former Hendrick Motorsports driver Casey Mears to his driver roster for the 2009 season. Joe Gibbs Racing has the youthful vigor of Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and rookie Joey Logano, with their ages ranging from 18 to 28. Logano replaces the two-time champion Tony Stewart. In 2006, the four teams made up eight of the ten drivers in the Chase for the Championship. In 2007, they occupied ten of the twelve slots in the ten-race championship chase. In 2008, the entire Chase for the Championship field was drivers and teams from the ‘big four’. Clearly, it is no surprise that other teams may tremble at the thought of having to compete with these juggernauts. However, there are a few teams out there with drivers and personnel capable of giving the big four a run for their money.
Richard Petty Motorsports: Like Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports is fresh off a merger and name change. Formerly Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises, they are now one team with four drivers. Kasey Kahne is the star, the driver that will likely produce the best results. Elliott Sadler is the veteran who has struggled in recent years, but hopes to turn the corner. Reed Sorenson and A.J. Allmendinger are hungry young drivers itching to earn a trip to victory lane. Kahne provides the only real threat to the big four. Allmendinger may emerge as a pleasant surprise if he has the opportunity to compete in the full slate of races. Penske Racing: Kurt Busch is the only driver in Penske Racing’s three-team shop that can really threaten the big four. Busch qualified for the Chase for the Championship in 2007 after winning two races. Ryan Newman won thirteen races in Penske Racing equipment, but bolted after three sub par seasons. David Stremme replaces Newman, but you get the feeling that Penske settled for his test driver. Sam Hornish Jr is comparable to Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson when he is driving in the Indy Racing League, but his results in NASCAR Racing have been downright awful. Hornish may begin to show signs of potential in 2009.
Yates Racing: Yates Racing has made some bold moves this off-season. After forming an alliance with Hall of Fame Racing, they were able to use the Ask.com sponsorship to lure 2000 champion Bobby Labonte to their neck of the woods. Labonte joins Paul Menard and Travis Kvapil. Menard and his sponsor, Menard’s, fled Dale Earnhardt Inc, joined Yates Racing, meaning that the team has two fully sponsored cars. Travis Kvapil may not compete in all races unless sponsorship is found. Labonte may contend on the restrictor plate tracks, and possibly the short tracks. Menard still has a lot to prove in NASCAR’s highest level of competition. Red Bull Racing: Red Bull Racing has a couple of young drivers that will put it all on the line. Brian Vickers owns a Sprint Cup victory and had shown considerable progress in his two years at Red Bull Racing. Scott Speed is a rookie, and it may take a few banged up race cars before he fully catches on to this NASCAR Racing thing. Michael Waltrip Racing: David Reutimann is Michael Waltrip Racing’s strongest driver based on his result over the 2008 season. He ended the season on a high note with solid performances at Texas and Homestead. Michael Waltrip has yet to show any signs of contending in his own equipment. Marcos Ambrose will be a contender on the road course tracks, but he may struggle on the ovals.
Kansieo.com
The 2008 NASCAR Racing Sprint Cup season was dominated by a small circle of teams that have ingeniously advanced their entire programs over the past four or five years. Most NASCAR fans will agree the Roush Fenway Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing are at the zenith of the sport when it comes to on-track performance and achievements. Take a glimpse at the driver roster for each of the above mentioned teams. Roush Fenway Racing boasts a blend of talented personalities in Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, David Ragan, and Jamie McMurray. Hendrick Motorsports owns perhaps the most star-studded lineup in NASCAR history with Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Mark Martin. Richard Childress Racing possesses perhaps the most consistent trio of drivers with Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, and Clint Bowyer. He added former Hendrick Motorsports driver Casey Mears to his driver roster for the 2009 season. Joe Gibbs Racing has the youthful vigor of Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and rookie Joey Logano, with their ages ranging from 18 to 28. Logano replaces the two-time champion Tony Stewart. In 2006, the four teams made up eight of the ten drivers in the Chase for the Championship. In 2007, they occupied ten of the twelve slots in the ten-race championship chase. In 2008, the entire Chase for the Championship field was drivers and teams from the ‘big four’. Clearly, it is no surprise that other teams may tremble at the thought of having to compete with these juggernauts. However, there are a few teams out there with drivers and personnel capable of giving the big four a run for their money.
Richard Petty Motorsports: Like Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports is fresh off a merger and name change. Formerly Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises, they are now one team with four drivers. Kasey Kahne is the star, the driver that will likely produce the best results. Elliott Sadler is the veteran who has struggled in recent years, but hopes to turn the corner. Reed Sorenson and A.J. Allmendinger are hungry young drivers itching to earn a trip to victory lane. Kahne provides the only real threat to the big four. Allmendinger may emerge as a pleasant surprise if he has the opportunity to compete in the full slate of races. Penske Racing: Kurt Busch is the only driver in Penske Racing’s three-team shop that can really threaten the big four. Busch qualified for the Chase for the Championship in 2007 after winning two races. Ryan Newman won thirteen races in Penske Racing equipment, but bolted after three sub par seasons. David Stremme replaces Newman, but you get the feeling that Penske settled for his test driver. Sam Hornish Jr is comparable to Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson when he is driving in the Indy Racing League, but his results in NASCAR Racing have been downright awful. Hornish may begin to show signs of potential in 2009.
Yates Racing: Yates Racing has made some bold moves this off-season. After forming an alliance with Hall of Fame Racing, they were able to use the Ask.com sponsorship to lure 2000 champion Bobby Labonte to their neck of the woods. Labonte joins Paul Menard and Travis Kvapil. Menard and his sponsor, Menard’s, fled Dale Earnhardt Inc, joined Yates Racing, meaning that the team has two fully sponsored cars. Travis Kvapil may not compete in all races unless sponsorship is found. Labonte may contend on the restrictor plate tracks, and possibly the short tracks. Menard still has a lot to prove in NASCAR’s highest level of competition. Red Bull Racing: Red Bull Racing has a couple of young drivers that will put it all on the line. Brian Vickers owns a Sprint Cup victory and had shown considerable progress in his two years at Red Bull Racing. Scott Speed is a rookie, and it may take a few banged up race cars before he fully catches on to this NASCAR Racing thing. Michael Waltrip Racing: David Reutimann is Michael Waltrip Racing’s strongest driver based on his result over the 2008 season. He ended the season on a high note with solid performances at Texas and Homestead. Michael Waltrip has yet to show any signs of contending in his own equipment. Marcos Ambrose will be a contender on the road course tracks, but he may struggle on the ovals.
Kansieo.com
Categories: Sports And Fitness Tags: Championship Chase, Nascar Fans, Sprint Cup