2008 Nationwide Series Schedule
Monday October 15, 2007
In 2008 the Busch Series will change its name and become the Nationwide Series. Like the newly renamed 2008 Sprint Cup schedule there are very few changes to the Nationwide Series calendar for next season.
2008 Nationwide Series schedule highlights include:
- 26 races in combination with Sprint Cup events
- 9 stand-alone (non-Cup race weekend) events
- Mexico's road race moves from early March to April 20th
- Chicagoland Speedway event on July 11th is now a Friday night race
Comments
It is great that they locked in a sponsor.
The sad part is that this series was designed as a stepping stone to Nextel Cup. It has become a test session for Nextel Cup drivers.
I would like to see NASCAR step in and limit how many Nextel drivers can compete in the now “Nationwide” series. Maybe they limit no more than 5 Cup drivers to compete. Maybe the Cup drivers only recieve 1/2 the points for competing. Maybe there is no payout to Cup drivers.
The reason I think that NASCAR needs to step in and do something is that there are a bunch of new drivers that cannot qualify due to Cup drivers taking the qualifying spots, and they have to go home.
The “Nationwide Series” needs to be a true stepping stone for the up and coming drivers and not a test session for Cup drivers.
1969rs, I agree with you exception is the only way the cup drivers could race ONLY if there is not enough busch/nationalwide teams for the field, plus no points and no payout.
I think having the cup drivers in the field makes the other guys step up to the competition. What better way to get better at racing? I also doubt they limit the cup guys, since they are the well known names that sell the tickets.
That is the theory I been hearing that the cup drivers sales the tickets, If that waa true shouldn’t the grand stand have alot more fans in them? Then again that is the reason I don’t watch the busch racing, because of the cup drivers blocks the up and coming drivers.
I would love to see just the Busch series regulars now the Nationwide series drive in the events only. Your will be able to gage the drivers better.
Actually, I think that may change with the COT going full time in Cup next year. There will be less comparison between the Bationwide cars and the COT’s so less reason to run in the jr curcuit
John, you are right, NASCAR has to give teams a chance to build back up.
I wonder how many teams have folded or went different avenues because they knew the field would be 50% filled with Cup drivers.
The top 43 spots should be reserved for Nationwise Series full time drivers, and if they do not have enough to fill the field, then open it up to Cup drivers. Or better yet, they use the “top 35″ idea from Cup and reserve the top 35 for non Cup drivers and let the Cup drivers battle for the remaining 8 spots.
Hmmm….
Nobody likes change!! The events in the racing world change their mind more often than people change underware.
Leave it alone or your demise will be the final result..Tony George ruined the Indy 500 over his love for CASH! The Hulman family is not the household name they use to be in Indianapois and the rest of the state for that matter.
The bottom line is money! Agree or disagree?
Y’all are forgetting something, NASCAR is a young persons sport. These drivers can’t run into their mid to late 50 as you & I can in our work fields. They must make their money (to retire on) before they are in their late 40’s. Granted, some of them move into the booth (Rusty & D J) but most just retire. That is one of the reasons I think, that they race as much as they can. Make it while they can before a younger & better drivercome along.
Also, they like the attention!!
Go Tony Go!!!
I think that any full time cup driver that races in the lower end series should receive everything but points!
PAUL MENARD would have a bush title now if that was the case!
Instead he has to move up without it when he was the highest full time driver to finish in points below the BushWackers!
THATS PURE BULL!!!!!!
TALK ABOUT STEALING CANDY FROM THE KIDS!
Mick20, you are right, it is about the money. I would be willing to bet my next paycheck that Kevin Harvic, Kyle Bush, etc., do not run in the Busch Series for the money. they run there to get extra seat time at the track where they are racing on Sunday. What about the drivers that are trying to make their break into cup racing and need the Busch (now Nationwide) series to learn the ropes, gain exposure for thier sponsor and then move into the Nextel Cup level? Many of these great drivers are being sent home because Cup team owners decide thier Cup drivers need seat time on the track they will race on Sunday.
I do not buy into the thought process that they “need the money”. Heck, most, if they invest right, could retire after their first five years of driving. But, like the rest of us, the more you make, the more you spend.
Simply put, the Cup drivers are taking money away from the Busch / Nationwise Series drivers in purse money, team saleries, and sponsor money. Like HotRod stated, it is stealing candy from the kids.
Well if the team owners think, their drivers need more seat time; My thoughts are the team owners brought them up to soon from the Busch or arca etc. If NASCAR wants to be like the ball teams and have play off’s (chase). Do what the ball teams do (baseball).If they need my seat time, send them back to the minors (busch/nationalwide) and bring someone else up that maybe more deserving.
Need money to retire on? When they are pulling in 5,10, million or more in a year they can save couple of years and retire after couple of years, unless they blow it as soon they get it.
I dont think NASCAR will limit the Cup drivers in the Nationwide series because of television and ticket revenues. Without the Cup drivers I dont think television ratings would allow those races to picked up. Is it about the money, you bet! I dont have a preference one way or the other. I watch about 50% as it is now and usually just to see how my Fantasy drivers for Sunday are performing. Would not watch at all if they were not running.
No nascar won’t limit the cup drivers with the busch they just limit them what they can and can’t say. I am another one that does not watch the busch because of the cup drivers limiting the new drivers on their chance making it to the big time.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
It’s been broke and nascar thinks it’s ok. Remember what goes up ALWAYS comes down. Pretty soon it’s nascars turn. If you open your eyes you can already see it.
I think they should put a limit on how many races each driver can enter per year. they should only be able to enter 3-4 busch races and that will solve the problem.
Why is it that the junior series doesn’t run all of its races at the same tracks as the Cup series? Seems to me it would save money for the owners. Only 9 races at different tracks. That way the Cup guys would have an extra 2-3 hour practice every Saturday afternoon, HaHa
I think eventually the Cup drivers dropping down and running the Busch/Nationwide series will ruin it. Who wants to sponsor a Nationwide Team when the odds of getting in the race and winning are slim, the regulars get very little tv time compared to the cup drivers running up fron. As the sponsor money dries up so will the teams and new drivers.
I have been trying to figure out a way for the Busch drivers to make qualifying and I agree with 1969. The top 35 should be Busch and let the Buschwhakers vie for the rest of the spots. I think you would have more cars show up if they thought they had a chance of making it.