Loose in Turn 3 (5/16/08)

Image details: Subway Fresh Fit 500 Qualifying served by picapp.com

Yup, it’s Friday morning, so we all know what that means … three topics, three voices, and three opinions as I once again hook up with Bruce Simmons and Charlie Turner for another weekly edition of Loose in Turn Three. This week, we’ve got another great lineup in our forum. Over at Bruce’s NASCAR Bits & Pieces, we discuss when the proper time is for drivers to retire. The conversation carries over to On Pit Row where we become the team owner and drop the names of the drivers that we take to surround our teams. And, right here at Do You NASCAR, we debate whether or not what we’re seeing this year is actually an official changing of the guard. So, sit back and fasten those seat belts, because we’re about to take you on another wild ride as we get Loose in Turn Three!

There’s been a lot of talk about a “Changing of the Guard” in NASCAR this year. Kyle Busch & Carl Edwards have been running hot. Are they the future of our sport?

TZ: I’m not entire convinced that’s the case. I mean, we’ve seen many cases in recent years where drivers have had breakout seasons one year, and the next they find themselves stuck in a world of mediocrity. In 2006, Kasey Kahne won six races and almost didn’t even make the Chase. He hasn’t won a race since then. Greg Biffle won six races back in ‘05, and that was the last time he made the Chase.  2004, Ryan Newman won nine races, but where’s he been since then? I’m not saying it won’t happen, but to claim that Edwards and Busch are already replacing the Jeff Gordon’s, Jimmie Johnson’s, and Tony Stewart’s of the world … to me, that’s just a little premature.

Charlie: Well, they better be part of it, eh?  The problem with a question like this is that the ball keeps rolling, you know? Three or four years ago, these two were rookies with promise – both known more for crashing and aggressiveness than any certainty of winning. They weren’t assured of future stardom, but it was certainly hoped for. So they will be part of the next ten – fifteen years of NASCAR, along with so far unknown drivers of great and less-great talent. Because the sport needs more than stars. There are forty three starters, not two, and they are all part of the present and the future.

Bruce:  I’m looking at this from a different angle.  There’s always a ‘Changing of the Guard’ atmosphere of late.  With teams chasing drivers that aren’t even old enough to drive to looking at Motorcycle stars, the new guard is out there, or so everyone hopes, as they try and preempt all the other teams in getting them.  Heck, even Jr. fell for it once by testing out a guy that consistently beat him in on-line leagues, but did not translate as well to the real deal.  The “Hot Rookies” and “Maybe Hots” will always be the headlines for the sport, if anything, as a draw when there’s no driver conflict going on.  If any one factor draws in curious crowds, then a small percentage stay on as fans, then the headlines have worked, our sport as grown a bit and the established drivers will always have a core appreciation group, regardless.  It’s an interesting cycle if anything else.

To follow the rest of this discussion, please access the following:

- Seasoned Drivers and When is it Their Turn? at Bruce’s NASCAR Bits & Pieces

- As a Team Owner, What 3 Drivers and Manufacturer Do You Start Your Team With? at On Pit Row