First, the NEXTEL Cup series stars bring more fans to the track for the Busch race and more tune in to watch on television. Lets face it, very few race fans are at the Busch show to see Johnny Sauter and Bernie Lamar. They want to see the names that they know racing. When Harvick, Kenseth, Martin, Edwards and McMurray are in the field more race fans can identify with the action.
More people in the stands and higher television ratings are certainly good for everyone in the Busch Series.
The second benefit to Busch Series drivers is that it gives them a chance to compare themselves to the best of the best. Most drivers in the the Busch Series want to move up to NEXTEL Cup. Buschwhacking gives them a chance to race door-to-door with Cup series stars so they can see how they stack up.
In this way Buschwhacking is a good calibration tool for the Busch Series regulars.
The downside of Buschwhacking is that it can negatively affect smaller Busch Series teams and less experienced drivers.Every week there are small, struggling teams just trying to make the race. Every time a big well-funded NEXTEL Cup series driver qualifies for the race one less Busch Series driver gets to start. The Busch Series is supposed to be a developmental stepping stone for drivers to gain experience. They can't gain experience if they can't qualify for the race.
In addition, the NEXTEL Cup Series stars are taking away prize money. At California Speedway in February of 2006 Greg Biffle received $76,500 for winning the Busch race. The highest finishing Busch Series regular received only $26,375 for his 12th place finish.
By comparison, the very next day Greg Biffle blew a motor and finished next-to-last (42nd) in the NEXTEL Cup race and still earned $106,005. The Busch Series purses are relatively small, but that steady influx of cash is very important to keeping the Busch Series healthy. When Cup drivers sweep in and take the big money it really hurts the Busch teams' budgets.
