Do any relatively new drivers have their careers ruined because their cars are not as good as they should be?
Posted by admin
Elvis asked:
…Do you think that some racing organizations write off poor performances as driver error instead of poor equipment?
…Do you think that some racing organizations write off poor performances as driver error instead of poor equipment?
…If you have some examples name them.
MILFORD
December 12th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
well the Busch series is suppose to be for the new guys. you stick the cup/ veteran guys in the busch series, the new guys don’t get the chance to shine because the cup drivers grab the spotlight.
December 13th, 2008 at 5:15 am
todd bodine-truck champ
ron hornaday-3 time truck champ
mike skinner-truck champ
johnny benson-truck champ busch champ
ricky craven
December 14th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
That’s a pretty good question. I would guess if they have shown the ability to compete and dominate at a lower level someone else would give them a chance, rather than relegate them to the minors.
I’m sure there are some organizations that blame the driver for their product not being able to compete. Sometimes, the competition in NASCAR cup racing is too much for the driver to handle, though.
I can think of two prominent names that could figure into this… don’t go ballistic, now…
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been blaming his performance on equipment. Now that he is going to arguably the best equipment in NASCAR he should do quite well, right?
Tony Stewart is moving into a Toyota. Toyotas have had limited… at best… success in NASCAR, while JGR has been a dominant force with Chevrolet. Can Tony put Toyota in a position of prominence and respectability?
I know I took this in a little bit of a different direction, but I think these two drivers are the best illustration of the driver/car argument.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:16 am
what a great question. Yes i think guys like david stremme, reed sorenson, jj yeley havent got a fair shake because they get the left overs.
December 17th, 2008 at 2:11 am
absolutely, BUT nascar is so competitive in nature that if a new driver isnt winning or bringing in enough top 10s or top 5s then it seems like they quickly get the boot to open a space for another driver that might have a better opportunity of winning. Seems like it can even be something as simple as not representing the sponsor well enough or not having that t.v. / interview type personality. Plenty of examples have been given.
December 19th, 2008 at 9:40 am
This is a difficult question as far as proving it, but I do feel that it happens. My examples would be Ray Evernham’s entire team.
Kasey Kahne (He’ll be ok because he’s marketable and he’s won enough)
Scott Riggs’ and Elliott Sadler’s careers have both taken turns for the worse since signing with Ray. And I think that the equipment is the main issue. The same could be said for Jeremy Mayfield, although he’s not really a new driver. But the poor equipment is really hurting those driver’s Cup careers.
December 20th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I have to agree, I,m sure they do.
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 am
In the Hala-louia 400 racing moto isIf your equipment ever breaks or wears out… We’ll race it! So I don’t think these people blame the equipment, they blame the idiots behind the wheel.
December 24th, 2008 at 3:43 am
I think there are quite a few.
Dave Blaney has never been in good equipment. When his car works he runs well though. He could win races on a better team. He was by far the best Toyota last season.
December 25th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I think scott riggs isa good example he showed what he could do in 2006 in a good car but in 2007 Everham strugles an he strugles also
December 26th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Yes, and Ganassi/Sabates racing has been one of the worst examples of this. The most recent casualty is David Stremme.
Haas/CNC also wrote off Johnny Sauter prematurely IMO
December 27th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Kyle Bush will be the next victim of this question. Also… The next driver to take over the#21 car,will also fall victim to this….
Hate to say / or see this too !!! But someone need’s to step-up and help those guy’s over there !!
December 28th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Yes–David Stremme–JJ Yeley–Reed Sorenson are well on their way to doing just that!!!!
December 31st, 2008 at 9:36 pm
nope. many f1 successful drivers started off driving in uncompetitive cars. e.g. raikkonen who drove for sauber and later switched to mclaren.
michael schumacher also started off driving for jordan and later began his most successful stint in ferrarri.
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I know David Reutimann and he is always complining about his car, something always going wrong. But now that they have better people hired , he will do great next year. There are lots of other drivers that have had lots of problems with their cars, like Dave Blaney .
January 6th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I totally agree with carrie. I don’t think it will ruin his career, but David Reutimann is a very good driver in really poor equipment. I’ll go along with Sorenson and Stremme also but JJ Yeley has had pretty decent cars in general and should have had better results.