[Teutonic Speedra...]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/5772590?FSO1&ATT=HMA

[Jeff97FST/A]

(edit)

I hate what big business has done to my sport. It has taken something that was calculating and methodical and turned into wrestle-mania.

Jeff Gordon is another prime example.

He was recruited and being brought along as Bill Davis Racing could afford to move through the ranks. They were making steady progress and would have easily been a force to reckon with, until big money and big business took over. It was the day NASCAR died.

Look at NASCAR today ... I read on Jayski about a week ago that 80% of the drivers that have accumulated points this year in all NASCAR oval series have less than 2 years in their respective series. 80%!

Instead of a great driver courting a good sponsor, it's become big business looking for a face ... we'll send him to driving school.

OK ... I'll stop at that ...

Amen, Mitch! I felt the same way about Gordon. I agree, that was the beginning of the end.

Robert Yates Racing - and old school man I admire - is under sponsor pressure to pick young drivers to replace departing veteran Dale Jarrett and now departing Elliott Sadler.

Kinda reading between the lines from what Doug Yates says, sounds like RYR would like to find at least one wiley old veteran to help the team move forward, but the sponsors these days want young faces to market. They'd hire Ward Burton in a heartbeat, only if he brings a sponsor with him.

So, a team rebuilding (RYR) will have to take on inexperienced drivers who'll tear up a bunch of sheetmetal, run mid-pack, won't contribute to the learning curve, just to get the big $$$ to try to rebuild with. Then, I can see said sponsor whining because they aren't up front and winning (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

The irony is Hendrick Motor Sports was put on the map by veterans - Gordon was their first youngster.

Not as big a fan as I used to be....