During the interview, Helton was asked about limiting Sprint Cup drivers in NASCAR's other series but his answer didn't seem very encouraging for those who support that idea.
Q: Is NASCAR considering limiting the number of starts that Cup series drivers can make in the Nationwide or Camping World Truck series?
Helton: "It’s a conversation point that
doesn’t so far go very far because NASCAR is open-minded. It’s open-field, too.
We don’t believe it’s correct to tell someone they cannot compete somewhere. We
have NASCAR drivers who go compete in IndyCar or ARCA or a weekly track or a
weekly show or open-wheel racing in different programs, and that’s the culture
of NASCAR to be open-minded about who participates. No one is excluded from
participating. You can earn your way in. We have, however, changed some of the
rules and regulations around in hopes to encourage and get attention to the ones
who are competing on a fulltime level in the Nationwide. It happened a couple
of years ago. We had the drivers to select what series they would gather points
in … We saw some signs of being successful there. We’re just not of the mindset
to exclude somebody from participating. We’d rather encourage everyone who
wants to participate to participate. So, if we said, ‘You can’t play over here,’
it’s kind of contrary to our culture.’ ”
Part 2 of the interview will air Thursday at 5 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Well....if the intention is to cut viewership.....then I call it a success.....I would once again watch NW and Trucks..if I knew that certain cherry pickers weren't in the race......But,I'm only a fan.....my opinion matters,not.
ReplyDeleteExactly, I mean what value do we bring as fans...? lol
DeleteIf this is really how NASCAR feels, then they are much more out of touch with what the fans want than feared. Honestly, you cannot tell me that having Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and others for a majority of the races enhances either Nationwide or Trucks. It may provide the tracks some "drawing" power, but I believe that even that has waned to the point of detriment. I believe that if they leave these series as the are Trucks will definitely be extinct within 5 years and Nationwide (or whatever it is going to be called) could follow. It just simply is not a model that can sustain.
ReplyDeleteI think it is time to limit the number or races in a season the aforementioned drivers may compete in. It would probably still lead to a Cup regular winning more often than not, however there has to be something better than what we are seeing right now...
The fact only fifteen drivers are running the full Nationwide Series shows why NASCAR does indeed have to force Cup participation out - the Cup guys have bled the series dry.
ReplyDelete