Jeff Gluck: There is no more Silly Season
By Jeff Gluck - Associate Editor
Sunday, January 11, 2009
COMMENTARY
We gather here today to pay tribute to an old pal, one that made NASCAR infinitely more interesting and entertaining in the midsummer months: Silly Season, as we know it, is dead.
Like the greatest friends, it always used to come along at just the right time. Just when the racing season was hitting a lull, Silly Season showed up to throw the possibility of your favorite driver switching teams or seeing him join forces with a guy you love to boo.
Driver movement seemed mostly restricted to that certain time of year – adding a little drama to a time when there isn’t much – and by the time the Chase For The Sprint Cup cutoff rolled around, nearly all of the dust had settled.
No more. Silly Season grew into an unrecognizable and deformed beast in 2008, taking on a new shape and meaning.
It began last spring and has never stopped, which has cost Silly Season its identity: There is no defined time period that allows us to call it a season, nor is it the least bit funny.
The serious reality is drivers who lose their rides now may not get another one. No one is laughing about that.
Bobby Labonte, a Cup champion earlier this decade, could begin the season without a full-time ride. In the short span since he secured a release from the No. 43 car at Petty Enterprises, opportunities have mostly dried up.
An open seat like Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s No. 41 car – which once appeared a likely destination for Labonte – now seems more like a mirage than an operation about to enter 36 races.
And there’s an even greater emphasis on keeping the ride a driver already has. Elliott Sadler was booted from his job at Gillett Evernham Motorsports, then threatened a lawsuit in order to force the team to honor his contract.
It did. But in the past, might Sadler simply just have joined another team?
Three of the most promising young drivers from last season – Regan Smith, AJ Allmendinger and Aric Almirola – likely could all end up in part-time seats this season.
Four of last year’s regular drivers – Kyle Petty, Scott Riggs, Dave Blaney and Joe Nemechek – might not drive at all this year, and not by choice.
Silly Season used to be described as “musical chairs,” which was actually a misnomer. Musical chairs is a game where seats are subtracted and someone gets left out. That wasn’t true until now.
The death of Silly Season doesn’t mean all driver movement will suddenly cease. Certainly, there could now be even more of a premium on performance – and owners won’t be shy about removing a driver to satisfy an unhappy sponsor.
But when that happens, the odds that said driver will land on his feet with another ride are getting smaller every day. Kind of takes the fun out of the whole thing, if you ask me.
Knowing this job could be the last one for those drivers who don’t fall into the “superstar” category will only bring more stress to the garage, a place that has grown increasingly unfriendly compared to when the mega-dollars and bright media spotlight weren’t around.
The economy is the primary suspect in Silly Season’s demise, but whether there can ever be a resurrection is unclear.
No one knows whether this is a temporary setback or a market correction where, even after money begins to flow back into the coffers of Fortune 500 companies, spending $20 million to sponsor a race car won’t seem like the best use of funds.
In the meantime, agents will continue to cancel vacations and drivers will look over their shoulders more often knowing that Serious Business occupies the spot where Silly Season used to stand.
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Comments
31 responses to "Jeff Gluck: There is no more Silly Season". Post a Comment.
Steve C said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 11:23 AMGood Artical,but I don' beleive that silly Seaon is near over nor dead, I don' beleive it's Silly either. The driver,crew,teams and ownership changes will continue through the 09 season. The financial impact on NASCAR's finest will continue. You will see driver changes, sponsor changes, teams close through out the year if sponsorship costs don't decrease. Drivers will need to take pay cuts in order to allow teams to be profitable. It's a tough time for the world right now and NASCAR and it's teams are in the thick of it. Hopefully things will start to improve as we near summer, but don't count on it. It's actually a good time for sponsors if you can afford to sponsor a team, sponsor costs have dropped to a low that has not been seen since the late 90's early 2000's.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportterry ruth said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 12:21 PMHEY....AARP....STEP UP..and..SPONSOR...
Report as Abuse...BILL ELLIOT AND KYLE PETTY...IN THE HISTORIC...WOOD BROS RACING TEAM...
# 21...FORD...
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMike Butler said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 1:07 PMAgreed, good article. I think Silly Season is around, but this year it isn't just part of the NASCAR year, it is going to be the WHOLE Sprint Cup Season. And Silly isn't going to be silly hah hah, it is going to be silly sad. I will agree with that much talent sitting on the sidelines, it's put up or shut down time for those drivers at the bottom of the standings. There is going to be itchy trigger fingers of sponsors and owners wanting to get the most of their money.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMike Butler said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 1:08 PMTerry: I LOVE that idea. Maybe a fan sponsored car that can get those two a retirement tour.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportArthur Trim said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 1:27 PMHow will the legions of the new NASCAR casual fan, Brian France courted as being the savior of NASCAR, deal with the revised NASCAR of 2009??
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjohn cooke said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 1:30 PMI think that racing will be awesome this year and the reason is.
Report as AbuseDrivers know that they will have to drive like hell and perform or they will be replaced.You will see drivers taking chances that in the past would have never happened.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBernadette Motherway said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 2:12 PMMy test.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAshley said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 3:15 PMBernadette, I will ALWAYS remember your two word "Test" comment as the most satisfying, level-headed and cogent post I've read on Scene Daily in 2009. I especially liked your words for their extreme brevity and how you proudly owned and stood up for your thoughts by stating that-- in no uncertain terms-- they were yours. But the biggest treat was how you posted successfully and then left us hanging-- as if the site and it's regular denizens were beneath your studied criticism. I, for one, simply cannot wait to see what is birthed from your fertile mind next! Welcome to Scene Daily!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjohn cooke said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 3:18 PMBernadette.
Report as AbusePlease explain your comment. My Test
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAshley said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 3:20 PM(And for those with NO sense of humor-- I was just having some fun with FIRST-time poster Bernadette.) My commentary was aimed more at the REGULAR posters who think THAT every article needs the comment, "GO, JR #88!"posted after it-- even when the content of the story has NOTHING to do with Dale Jr, Dale Sr, or DEI. I joyfully welcome her to what can be the rather insane commentary that is Scene Daily and do, really, look forward to her future posts. Welcome Bernadette.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportterry ruth said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 4:06 PMMike Butler ...I am so amazed at how wonderful you comments are....even though you didn't post ..test..I am sure you thought of long long ago...I can not wait for your next post ...please please hurry and write something really amasing from your furtile mind....( for those of without a sense of humor..)....
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAndrew Briscoe said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 4:30 PMCan the author explain why he thinks Silly Season is dead? There are plenty of teams that are yet to finalize 2009 plans, and lots of teams still want sponsors and a driver. Since that's the case, the Silly Season is still alive and kicking: in full force.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsaid:
Jan 11, 2009 at 4:42 PMAshley, bernadette is not a new poster. she has been on here for quite awhile.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJim Bayliss said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 4:58 PMThe Silly Season is NOW the Silly Year. And the REASON for the Season, is as it always is: MONEY, or maybe the lack of it as is more the case nowadays.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBernadette Motherway said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 5:00 PMThe explanation for my "My Test" post was to see if I had been filtered and blocked.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportterry ruth said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 5:09 PMIf the Wood Bros...put out the tip jar...I will put some in....if it takes fan support to get them a full season I will buy
Report as Abuse...FORD & COKE...thats how it works...
and NOT support the others...
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBernadette Motherway said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 5:15 PMSome posted a few days ago about what 'a silly season' this was going to be. I think Gluck read the posts and wanted to be contradictory. This is going to be so confusing. Good grief, I can't find a site with race TIMES yet. Found the most current for DATES on fordracing.com. FYI - Dega fall race has been moved back to Nov. 1!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBernadette Motherway said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 5:27 PMAccording to fordracing.com, the Labor Day weekend Nationwide and Cup races will be held at Atlanta Motor Speedway!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner Boehmert said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 5:36 PMJim...you beat me to the Silly Year post..it's what i've thought for a couple of years...we have seen contracts not mean much...once upon a time...deals were made with a handshake...and they stuck to them...
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdave ginger said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 6:25 PMI think most of the "silly season" issues can be blamed on the economy. I hope NA$CAR can survive. Go Jr. #88.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTom Jones said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 6:47 PMThis is a good article and I bet many people have been thinking the same thing.The past few years have put and end to long time drivers in this sport.Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson will be two of the last notable hero's. From now on no driver will be in a car long enough to rack up numbers like they have. Jeff is on his way out now and Jimmie may not last but a few more years.From now on a driver that doesn't come out of the gate winning will not last long. Look at several of the more notable drivers from last year that at best ay end up with a part time ride this year.This may not be good for the sport.Why is it that none of the teams or drivers ever up-date their web sites? Why do they have one if they never intend to post on it?We should be able to visit a web site and see what changes are taking place daily.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportOLD_GUY said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 7:13 PMI disagree. Silly Season is just with us for a much longer percentage of the year. It used to start in late June and be over with by August. Teams (and sponsors) are less patient and begin to make changes much earlier in the season. At the same time the financial mess has caused more sponsorship decisions throughout the year. Expect the situation to get worse as we move forward. The full field, lotsa TV cash, big time sponsor NASCAR of just a few years ago may whither and what will be left won't be pretty. 8-(
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDebi Watts said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 7:22 PMI have to agree with those who said 'economy' is factoring in.
Report as AbuseAnd... if what Old Boy says is true... I guess Jeff Gordon won't have a ride by the end of the season!
A lot of NASCAR sponsorship is done by performance... but some is done by the popularity of the driver (hence the go Jr's).
We may end up seeing a smaller starting field in the near future.
Personally, I'd love to see ALL the ticket prices (and camping & everything associated with going to the race) come down a bit - back to 'affordable' or even 'reasonable'
or... ~gasp~ maybe NASCAR should cut back a little on the demands of each car and get 'racin' back closer to the way it used to be... not so controlled (and expensive!)
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» Confirm Abuse Reportcb michael said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 8:18 PMI like NA$CAR but sponsors are the blood and the driver is one person. It takes a real team to compete and when a sponsor puts hard earned dollars into it it rightfully expects to get a return for their dollars. Can't believe that a sponsor like GEICO is backing a part time driver, from what team? They could have bought a full ride with the Woods Bros or even Yates... sometimes it simply doesn't make DOLLAR$ or CENT$
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAshley said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 11:01 PMNow you see, that's just Dave G's idea of being a smart@$$. Go Kyle #18.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAshley said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 11:04 PMBernadette... Why would they filter and/or block the words "My Test"... or having you been naughty elsewhere on the site? ;-)
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJeff said:
Jan 12, 2009 at 4:13 AMHe's not saying Silly Season is dead because there won't be any driver/sponsor/car changes. He's saying it's dead because it's being replaced by "Serious Business". There's nothing silly about it. Perform or hit the bricks. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportVirginia West said:
Jan 12, 2009 at 7:32 AMHere we go again (or continuing on) with comments among the posters just using this forum for their own personal chit-chat. Don't appreciate this!!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRick Dupuis said:
Jan 12, 2009 at 7:56 AMI'm a diehard Kyle petty fan but I think Terry is on to something. AARP is a great sponsor for Petty & Elliott. Metamusil can take over for Coke as their drink of choice.
Report as AbuseI don't think Silly Season is dead but it needs a good jolt of electricity. It'll bounce back, although I suspect when it does, things will be different. Petty will get something somewhere becaus ehe has some sponsorship from Wells fargo. Plus he wants to do other stuff too so a full time ride isn't important. I feel for guys like Bobby Labonte. He thought Boston Vnetures was a gift from God and it turned out to be a pact with the devil. He was right to get out but I bet he has to take a pay cut to get a full time ride this year. That sucks.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportVirginia West said:
Jan 12, 2009 at 7:57 AMWhy were my earlier comments filtered out?
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSteven McNeil said:
Jan 12, 2009 at 8:47 AMUnfortunately $$$ rules.
Report as AbuseJust ask Richard Petty!
Another unfortunate loss to the next NASCAR crowd. I won't call them fans, just spectators!!!
Performance matters. M&M's, General Mills.
Image matters more. DuPont, UPS (with Jarret), AMP.
The problem right now is money is tight everywhere.
Tracks/Races are having trouble finding sponsors.
Tracks are even lowering their ticket prices. When was the last time that happened? They know it is going to be tough this year.
The problem with the older fans is that we can not support the finances of NASCAR as it is run today.
And maybe we just don't want to!
It's a different sport than it was even 10 years ago.
Silly season is just longer and more complicated than it was in the past. Not only do you have to keep up with driver changes, but also owners, crew chiefs, manufacturers, TV networks, sponsors and tracks.
It makes your head spin just trying to keep up with it all.
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