Ready for this to end,NASCAR Nation?

Question

I was just reading over the article about Sam Hornish,Jr. being sent back to the IRL and it made me think,"I hope all of this is almost over".

For the last 2 or so years,owners have been flocking to sign all of these open-wheel drivers.That would be a good thing except they don't keep them around long enough for them to learn anything and get better.Juan-Pablo Montoya is the only one that has shortened the learning curve enough to still be around(that plus his commitment to/with Chip Ganassi).It just sickens me to death to see some of these open-wheel converts start to do well and learn just to be plucked out and sent packing without being given a realistic chance.For example,A.J. Allmendinger and Patrick Carpentier were kicked out of their rides last year just as they were starting to get the hang of it(I know A.J. found a ride now).Jacques Villeneuve started only a handful of races before he was let go.Dario Franchitti's whole team shut down,and now Sam Hornish,Jr. is out of a ride.
NOTE:In my opinion,this goes for all new drivers(to a lesser extent),not just open-wheel converts.Everyone is expected to have instant success these days.

Is anyone else sick of this?
Do you think the same will happen to Scott Speed,Max Papis,etc.???
What is your opinion,NASCAR Nation?

Answer 1

I agree with you , if they aren't going to give those guys time to acclimate themselves they should just leave them where they are.

Answer 2

If your just going to fire them, you shouldn't have even hired them. Most of theses drivers didn't even get a chance to prove what they could do. A.J. Allmindenger has started to be fairly consistent with Sam Hornish Jr. and Patrick Carpentier had just started to get the hang of it. Some may get the hang of things faster than others but THESE DRIVERS DIDN'T EVEN GET A CHANCE TO SHOW WHAT THEY COULD DO!

While some drivers have started out well, there are others who just took longer to catch on. What would have happened if they had been fired right away? Take a look at the following example

David Ragan: David Ragan did not start off well at all. In 2006, after 2races, NASCAR prohibited him for racing again for the rest of the season. In 2007, he didn't do much better either being called "a dart without feathers," by Tony Stewart and called "wreckum' ragan" by other NASCAR fans. Look at the improvement in 2008! Quite a few top 5's and even more top 10's with everyone expecting him to make the chase and have a win or 2. What would have happened in Jack Roush had fired him?

They deserved a chance and oviously, they were not given one. Again, some drivers may catch on quickly but others just must have more time. That is just unfair for those drivers to be treated in that way.

I agree with b_i_g_kid, the Nationwide series was made for Drivers such as Sam Hornish Jr. A.J. Allmemdinger, Patrick Carpentier, and the others; but with cup drivers taking away the top spots the other drivers who haven't had as much experience have no chance because the cup drivers are winning the races.



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"No, no, he didn't slam you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you ... he rubbed you. And rubbin', son, is racin'." -- Harry Hogge

Answer 3

For Max....I think it will happen again. But to me Scott is the real deal. I think he will be very successful in NASCAR. He just seems to have adapted quickly to stock cars more than most in my opinion.



But, no I am not sick of seeing top drivers from OTHER series coming into our beloved NASCAR. It proves that NASCAR IS the most challenging racing there is...(grass roots racing at it's best).

I loved when AJ Foyt and Mario would make "Guest Appearances" in our sport....it validates what we say in this forum everyday!



As for instant success it's just not the open wheelers who are expected to perform...everyone....it's been that way in the past few years and will continue to worsen. Sponsors do not want to pay millions upon millions of $$$ and not see a return on that investment.

Running 25th or worse every week just doesn't cut it any more in today's NASCAR. Just an opinion as always.

Answer 4

I think Max Papis could have difficulties just because that is a start up team with no test data, I see him being replaced by one of the other Germain racing drivers latter in the year, maybe Todd Bodine or Michael Annett.



Before the 2008 season started I thought Villeneuve was the best of the new open wheelers, he didn't get much of a shot due to sponsorship. The only time we saw him again was in the Montreal race, in which he was doing well until he crashed under caution in the rain. (I think he was second at the time of the crash)

Answer 5

The Dinger and Scott will succeed. I doubt Max will unless he is willing to spend some time driving trucks and nationwide, then give Cup Cars try. Juan Pablo is just a guy so determined, and had the fire in him to make himself succeed. I'd like to see him in a Roush-Fenway,Childress, or Hendrick, Gibbs car then we could see hoe great he can be. Scott Speed has that determination also, we'll see what he does, But if Red Bull doesn't improve it might not happen with him. I can't see the Dinger getting much better at Gillett-Petty or whatever they call it, they need to improve big time. Face it if you aren't with the big 4, success doesn't come easy in Nascar.



Go Dale Jr & Hms in 2009

Answer 6

I was against them coming in from the start so I am glad to see them go. Get some drivers that wanted to drive Nascar all their lives in the car, those are the guys that are going to win. Drivers coming just to try it will flame out. Now tell me what you know about Hornish, I'm dying to know, that's a ride for Elliott.

Answer 7

Yes, I'm ready for it to end. I'm still ticked about Patrick Carpentier getting booted--but then look who he drove for. Gillett runs through drivers like crazy.



Really, though, they ought to start out in the Nationwide or Truck series and get their experience there, then come into Cup if they're good enough. That's true for all drivers, not just open wheel.

Answer 8

I don't care about all the flocking of road course specialist, just get the idea the Montoya will be the best open wheel racer right now. Never mind about Stewart. They just need to get an idea on some of them are not Nascar worthy.

Answer 9

The main reason Sam Hornish is going back is because Helio Castroneves is going to jail for tax fraud and Penske would rather have Hornish is that car than struggling to learn NASCAR.

Answer 10

Well it is one thing not to get the hang of something the first year...but look at all the DNF's and wrecks Hornish has had. How many times did he put good drivers out of contention? I say let them stick to the the racing genre they know best. NASCAR is a bit different that F1 and Indy etc...more difficult and challenging. They actually need to get it right away almost to be any good. Thankfully Tony did.



Good Question!!!!

Answer 11

I think they should give these guys more seat time in the Nationwide Series or the Camping world series so they get the hang of the racing format and racing on the ovals in tight quarters. They need more time to adjust before being put in Cup cars.



*JAKD*

Answer 12

That's what the lower racing divisions are for. But you have Cup drivers filling the top ten every week in the Nationwide series instead of giving that seat to someone who needs seat time.

Answer 13

Am I ready? My head is killing me from bouncing off the walls all day. As for the beatin', bangin', etc... I assume you mean here on Answers. lol And 3 big ol' BOOGITYS to everyone!!! We're goin' racin' boys and girls!!! Hope everyone in NASCAR Nation enjoys the season. Peace y'all.

Answer 14

I think it's good to see him go back IRL . Sam Hornish,Jr. home town Defiance Ohio is 28 miles from me . He lives in Napoleon Ohio 31 miles .

Maybe Danica Patrick will get his ride LOL !!!!!

Answer 15

I agree. These Nascar drivers just get the hang of things, and starting to do good, and then they get pulled out!

Answer 16

I knew this was going to happen.

Ever since Juan made it into NASCAR, these big time teams have been signing stupid openwheel drivers to race in NASCAR.

Now money isn't the only thing killing the sport.

Answer 17

Yes, I'm sick of it. I think AJ Allmindinger and Scott Speed will be the only ones that succeed.

Answer 18

all these IRL drivers need to learn that a stock car is way different then an indycar

Answer 19

totally. there is no point in signing these guys if you let them go after their rookie year. Rookies aren't supposed to be expected to do much.