First Impressions

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esorlxaw

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Hey everyone, I was just thinking, though I've been a fan for a brief time, I've been around NASCAR my whole life so I'm somewhat familiar with many of the veteran driver. Youth seems to be taking over the sport very rapidly. I was just wondering how many young guns are going to remain dominant as long as some of the guys who've been around for a long time have remained so? I mean, I remember Bill Elliot from when I was really young...some of these drivers probably remember the same...but how many of them are going to be racing and still successful when they are in his position? It just seems like teams are looking for the next big driver...of course they are, it's good for image and cash...I think when this happens they tend to not give someone enough time to prove themselves and want to jump ship to someone younger. For instance, I know Jack Sprague wasn't turning out the results they would have liked to see in the WC, but maybe with more time he would've improved quite a bit. It's great to see a young kid get a big ride and do well, I just feel like they tend to drop good drivers before they get a chance to show how good they are.
Let me know what y'all think about this.
 
IMHO, some "young guns" were pushed into Cup racing too quickly. More seat time in ARCA or BGN would have helped.
On the other hand, some drivers with even a Championship in BGN (1e Jeff Freen) didn't fare all that well in Cup.
So much depends on the TEAM and the amount of $$$$$ and patience they give a driver, and I think you gave a perfect example in Sprague.
All that seems wanted these days is instant success and that's a dang shame!
 
I don't see the youngsters sticking around for 20-25 years. The money is so good now, I think they'll make their pile and get out. I doubt most will still be racing at age 40.
 
I agree with a lot of your statement, but I think one wack Jack is a bad example.
 
Originally posted by Windsor377@Nov 22 2003, 04:53 PM
I agree with a lot of your statement, but I think one wack Jack is a bad example.
Click to expand...
Even if Sprague isn't the best example, there are plenty more out there. He managed to do well in the trucks, but it didn't just happen overnight, only 18 races to prove yourself isn't really that much...Just look at Tony Raines...his year started looking up quite a bit in the last six races.
 
okay. I think there are several questions being asked here:

1) Will todays youngsters stick around as long as the veterans did?

Really yet to be determined, but I seriously doubt it. I can't see many of these racing at this level will all the sponsorship demands for 20 more years even if the performance kept up.

2) Are today's drivers given a chance to prove themselves?
Some are, some aren't. Of the ones that aren't, there are a variety of reasons why they aren't.
Tony Raines was given a full year to prove himself by BACE when others in their shoes may have been tempted to go with a more experienced driver given their lack of sponsorship. And this is form the same team that gave Chad Little about 10 minutes in a Caup car last year and then canned him.
Jason Leffler, Casey Atwood are better examples of impatience (imho) than Jack Sprague. Leffler was given one year and then kicked to the curb. Atwood had a little longer, but he was farmed out to situation that had no chance at all of working.
 
All that said, what about Ron Hornaday?

Maybe some are just not meant to make it in Cup and some are pushed too hard.

TRL, you make a VERY good point!
 
I seriously doubt we will having Nascar racing as we know it in 20-25 years. Think of the technology changes there will be in that time frame. Will we be still racing combustion engines powered by gasoline? So to answer the qestion i think most of these guys will make the most money they can and get out . ;)
 
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