Kenny Bruce: News of 2008 revolves around JGR
By Kenny Bruce - Assistant Managing Editor
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
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COMMENTARY
NASCAR’s last break for its Sprint Cup Series is upon us, and none too soon. A brief work stoppage, after all, is necessary to allow us to digest all that has happened through the first 19 races.
In fact, a brief break is necessary to digest all that has happened in just the last week.
Recent news leads us to believe that Tony Stewart has temporarily taken leave of his senses. Attempting to win a third Cup title, field numerous open-wheel teams and operate a smattering of dirt tracks across this land apparently isn’t enough to fill all of Stewart’s time these days. Idle hands are the devil’s tools, after all.
So Stewart will become an owner/driver in 2009, having been given one-half of Haas CNC Racing. Which is sort of like asking for a Mustang for Christmas only to find a Pinto in the driveway instead. Both may run, but ...
Haas CNC isn’t a terrible team, but let’s be honest: In it’s current state, it’s not a good team either. Yes, it has a shiny new shop, all the tools necessary to compete, and its engines and chassis are supplied by Hendrick Motorsports. However, neither of its two teams are in the top-35 in owner points, although one, the No. 66 fielded for driver Scott Riggs, would be were it not for a 150-point penalty handed down earlier this year.
Since the team first debuted full time in the Cup series in 2003, 31 drivers split among 10 different organizations have won at least one race. Only four currently active teams have gone winless in Cup competition since then – Haas CNC, Petty Enterprises, Wood Brothers Racing and Bill Davis Racing.
That it has gone five and one-half years without a win doesn’t speak highly of the team – history says most new multicar organizations typically have a breakthrough win no later than season No. 3. Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Penske Racing, Gillette Evernham Motorsports and Bill Davis Racing were winning races within their first three years. No, that’s not a given. It’s just the way it’s been.
• Stewart grew understandably weary in recent months from being asked the same question concerning his future week after week after week. But the questions have only begun for the soon-to-be-ex JGR driver. Now he will be asked about possible crew chiefs, potential teammates and likely sponsors. Week after week after week.
• Elsewhere, the news continues to involve Kyle Busch, currently the center of the JGR universe. His Chicago victory was No. 7 on the season, and his 11th overall in Cup. The 23-year-old has won on big tracks (Daytona and Talladega), medium-sized tracks (Atlanta, Darlington, Dover and Chicago) as well as a road course (Infineon). He’s won day races, night races, Saturday races and Sunday races. He’s won races by margins as large as 4-plus seconds to those as thin as 0.15 second. He’s won races that went the advertised distance and at least one that stretched a bit further.
He’s on pace to eclipse Jimmie Johnson’s 10-win season of 2007, and is only one victory away from equaling the season-high win totals of Johnson (2004) and Ryan Newman (2003). With 17 races yet to be run.
Perhaps Busch and his cohorts will cool a bit as the season charges toward the Chase. But given his success thus far, don’t be surprised if that’s not the case.
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Kyle Busch
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