A Dream: NASCAR on dirt

I know it may not happen for several long years, but I know that many race fans across the country would like to see a NASCAR event (Truck, Busch or Cup) on dirt. I know I would.

The crowd this kind of event could draw would be huge!!

Makes you wonder what driver ( old, new or never before seen ) would win the event. Of course, building or locating a venue that could handle the teams & fans would be interesting, but could be done ( Bristol did it! ).

Just thinking about this will cause me some insomnia for a few nights.

The Question: Can Montoya survive in NASCAR?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that he lacks talent, but when your a successful open wheel driver, who was competitive in the Indy Racing League and Formula 1, it leaves me to question how he will do in NASCAR.

Money & Engineering:
NASCAR teams don’t have the luxury of spending the $100 million + that the Formula 1 teams spend every year. Yes, NASCAR is becoming a strong series based upon engineering, but it is nowhere near the level that Formula 1 has reached.

Seem like the majority of Formula 1 race team employees are engineers. Tire engineering and traction control you see in Formula 1, is not in NASCAR.

Rubbin’s Racin’:
There’s more contact in NASCAR, with more beating and banging especially in the closing stages of the race, which at many tracks the drivers have to use their bumper to help make the pass throughout the event. Along with that, a lot of the cars going a lap down don’t give way to the leader. Simply put, you have to earn every spot in NASCAR.

In Closing:
Montoya finished 11th in his Busch Series debut, dispite being involved in a wreck. He’s got a lot to learn, until he can challenge for wins. But I think he’ll make it in time.

I would love to see your comments & opinions on how Montoya will do in NASCAR.

Update (Nov 6, 2006):
I just got some new information on Montoya. Through my contacts in the sport, I can tell you that he (Montoya) is going to receive a lot of sponsorship money (est $25m) from Texaco/Havoline for his Chip Ganassi race team.

Chip Ganassi received a phone call from the top man at Texaco, which the man basically said “I don’t care what it cost to make him (Montoya) successful in NASCAR”.”

Chip then basically responded saying, “We’ll it will take at least $25 million ($25,000,000) to do the job”

So this will bring a interesting spin on how things will go for Montoya.

Rumor: Schumacher to drive in two NASCAR road races in 2007, a $10 million dollar deal?

With Michael Schumacher retiring from Formula 1,  the rumor is out that he may compete in two NASCAR road course events in 2007, one at Sears Point (Infineon) and the other at Watkins Glen.

When you look at Schumacher’s Formula 1 record (91 victories in 250 Grand Prix starts, 68 pole positions & 7 World Championships) you can’t help but say “Why Not?”  Now that he’s no longer going to compete in Formula 1, he should try to see how he would do in the NASCAR world.

He’s still a fairly young driver (37 years old), with a strong potential to show us his stock car ability.

I find the $10 million claim hard to believe, since I’ve never known any NASCAR team to spend $10 million dollars on a driver for 2 road course events.

Yes, Michael Schumacher did make $30 million dollars a year driving for the Ferrari Formula 1 team (thank God for that Marlboro sponsorship that flipped that bill), but I don’t think he’d make a third of that for just 2 NASCAR road course events.

In closing, I hope to see Michael Schumacher compete in NASCAR’s top divisions. I know it will bring a unique aspect to the sport.

AJ Allmendinger to drive 2nd Red Bull car in 2007, #84

Team Red Bull has formally announced a multi-year agreement with American open-wheel race car driver AJ Allmendinger to race the #84 Red Bull Toyota Camry for the 2007 Cup season. All I have to say is “Keep an eye on this guy!”

AJ Allmendinger is without a doubt a true racing talent. His youth and talent will definitely push him atop the charts in both performance and marketability. I remember watching him come from the Skip Barber Dodge Pro Series, which he dominated.

He’s also a former Toyota Atlantic champion and Champ Car rookie of the year, which he is also currently second in the 2006 Champ Car World Series standings with five race wins. This guy can win races in anything he touches. I’m surprised that he’s not been dragged into the F1 world.

I believe this guy will surpass talents like Carl Edwards and Kasey Kane very quickly.

A New Look: Dale Jarrett’s 2007 UPS Car #44

From the Dale Jarrett.com site, the new car #44 for the UPS Toyota.(10-27-2006)

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Well I have to give the paint scheme designers some credit. Finally, UPS has a paint scheme design for their 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car that doesn’t make me want to throw up!

Now DJ has a new team, a new manufacturer and now a good look. Congrats Dale Jarrett.

Michael Waltrip Racing is rolling in sponsorship $$’s!

If you see Michael Waltrip smiling big these days, it’s not just because of his unique personality, it’s because he’s rolling in sponsorship money. Those who’ve been around racing, know how much it costs to run a competitive racing team in NASCAR’s Cup Series.

The cost to field a championship caliber NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team cost more than $20 million per season. There’s not many $20 million dollar sponsors laying around in NASCAR. Some of this is due to NASCAR soaking up a lot of potential team sponsors.

Dupont pays over $20 million per year to Hendrick Motorsports, depending on if they have to outbid Pepsi every year. My sources last told me that Home Depot was paying estimated $18-20 million to Joe Gibbs Racing.

This is where I have to give credit to Michael Waltrip, His racing team, Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR), has without a doubt some good & big name sponsors for the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season.

They have UPS ( sources told me they were paying $22-25 million/year to Robert Yates Racing ) and as you can see DJ hasn’t had the greatest last couple of seasons.

 I’m curious to find out how much money Domino’s Pizza & Burger King is paying.