Where have all the rookies gone? Why are there so few young drivers getting a chance in NASCAR Sprint Cup these days?
Some Recent History
First let's remember some of the highly anticipated rookie battles from recent years.
- 2000 - This was a battle that had fans paying attention. Seven drivers were eligible in 2000 but two of them were clearly the class of the field. Two-time Nationwide Series Champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. came into the Sprint Cup Series to drive for his Dad's team. The man that finished second to Junior in each of those Championship seasons, Matt Kenseth, was also coming up to the big leagues to drive for Jack Roush.
Both drivers won races during this intense rookie battle but it was Matt Kenseth who won the 2000 Rookie of the Year award.
- 2002 - Only four drivers attempted to challenge for the 2002 Rookie of the Year award in 2002 but this season would unleash another pair of incredibly talented rookies on the sport. This was the year that Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson headlined the rookie show.
As I wrote then: "The ROTY battle more often comes down to a question of experience, maturity, the ability to learn quickly and stay out of the way while you gain valuable experience and the respect of your fellow drivers. If this were a question of who will be the more successful driver ten years from now I would probably go with Johnson, but it's not.... My 2002 Raybestos Rookie of the Year prediction? I'm going with Ryan Newman."
Johnson and Newman both won races in their rookie season but it was Ryan Newman who walked away with the Rookie of the Year title in 2002.
The Current State of Rookies
2010 saw just Kevin Conway and Terry Cook register with Conway winning easily since Cook only managed three starts in 2010.
2011 was even worse with Andy Lally starting just 30 races and being the top finishing rookie in every single NASCAR Sprint Cup event in 2011 even though he only managed to crack the top twenty once. Some 2011 races didn't have any rookies at all and most had just one.
Now the slide continues in 2012 with no drivers currently intending to run for rookie of the year.
Where Are The Rookies?
This question is best answered with a look at the overall health of NASCAR teams. The economy has had a significant impact on NASCAR team owners. Sponsorship is getting harder to secure so the number of full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup teams is dwindling. This leaves more and more experienced, talented drivers without a ride.
If I were starting a new team I'd take a hard look at guys like Landon Cassill, Travis Kvapil or Brian Vickers who don't currently have a job for 2012 before I'd take a chance on a rookie.
In short, fewer teams means fewer opportunities for new drivers. The rides that are available are mostly the start-and-park cars which offer little to a driver trying to make a name for himself in the sport. I know I would rather spend another season improving my skills in the Camping World Truck Series or the Nationwide Series than tarnish my reputation finishing 43rd every week in Sprint Cup.
In recent years the NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year battle has been a shadow of its former glory. Hopefully sponsorship dollars will return to the sport soon and there will be more teams running competitively every week providing more opportunities for young drivers to compete for the Rookie of the Year crown.
