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Wednesday, August 30, 2006
By Heather Pohlabel
If you are a race fan, you probably already know all of this, unless you've blinked for a second. Things in the NASCAR world are changing at a rapid pace, and who can keep up? Even team owners and drivers have no idea what is going on from day to day; just watch a pre-race interview or check nascar.com to see the latest confusion.
The latest lingering question mark is over the heads of the number 6 AAA sponsored driver Mark Martin and Ford team owner Jack Roush. Martin has been a faithful driver for Roush for numerous years (19 years to be exact), but last year (2005), he decided it was going to be his last year driving in the NEXTEL Cup series. After some smooth talking and coaxing by Roush, Martin decided to go one more year. This year, that one more year, is supposed to be his last. While it is confirmed that Martin will be driving in the Craftsman truck series full time next year in a Roush Ford, there are rumors that not even Martin nor Roush can confirm that Martin will be back yet again to drive in at least some NEXTEL Cup Series races, but not full time. According to Roush, the full time option is still open, even though Roush is studying a new driver for the 6 in 2007, Busch series driver Todd Kluever. Rumors also have it the Kluever is not living up to Roush's expectations, and he may not be a good fit for the very popular and successful number 6 car.
Scott Wimmer was reported to be a fish out of water for next season, but he will remain the driver of the number 4 car for Morgan - McClure Motorsports.
Team owner Robert Yates has had a terrible year, and in an interview on Speed Channel, he stated that this year, things "suck". Yates recently lost driver Elliot Sadler to Evernham Motor Sports to drive the recently vacated 19 car of former Evernham driver Jeremy Mayfield. Mayfield, fired by Evernham, has signed with Bill Davis Racing for next year to run Toyotas with teammate Dave Blaney. Yates and independent car owner/ driver Robby Gordon had been talking about joining forces, but the deal fell through, and Gordon will continue to run his own team independently.
Speaking of Toyotas, Michael Waltrip is the big guy behind these babies. He will be hosting three drivers in the Toyota line in comparison with Red Bull and Bill Davis Racing (his 2006 NEXTEL Cup owner), each with two drivers a piece. Waltrip has signed on Yate's most successful driver in recent history (not including Allison), Dale Jarrett, to drive for him next year. Waltrip's three driver team is not complete, however, and he is still searching for another driver. Red Bull Racing will have Brian Vickers, a Hendrick's Motor Sports driver (through the end of the 2006 season) and is still searching a teammate for him as well.
Not only will Toyotas be making their debut next season, the car of tomorrow will also debut in 2007 races. Teams have been testing the cars this year, working the bugs out and getting the feel for them. According to nascar.com, teams will run the cars in approximately half of the season's scheduled races next year. Among the debut races will be Bristol, Phoenix, Martinsville, Richmond, Dover, and New Hampshire. Darlington, Talladega, Infinion and Watkins Glen are also car of tomorrow hot spots. This could offer more opportunities for victories for traditional non top ten finishers at these time tested courses. The car of tomorrow will make for interesting racing as drivers get used to new set ups and crew chiefs learn to work the cars all season.
Speaking of shaking things up, next season will unveil either a new points system or changes made in the "chase". These changes have not yet been announced by NASCAR.
Stock car racing is not predictable, and neither are the moves that teams will make from year to year or even, as we have been witness to this season, mid-season. NASCAR never seem to run out of new teams or willing drivers, however, so when it needs to shake things up a bit, it just mandates a new car or changes a rule or two. When people say there is drama in NASCAR, they aren't kidding. Stay tuned, or you will miss the latest story line.
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