Though Joey Lagano has enjoyed some big-time props from NASCAR veteran Mark Martin, he might not be able to find his way into the Sprint Cup Series for a while.The 17-year-old driver from Connecticut has turned heads for awhile after Martin referred to Lagano as the "real deal" when he was just 15. In 2008, Lagono -- with a contract as a developmental driver for Joe Gibbs Racing -- is scheduled to compete in some Nationwide series events after his 18th birthday in May.
But NASCAR might have other plans, such as increasing the age limit of it's premier Sprint Cup series to keep younger drivers out. Sources in NASCAR have apparently confirmed that the rule is being considered to the Charlotte Observer's David Poole, who supposes the move is intended to increase strength of the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series:
"There are concerns that young drivers are being moved up through the ranks too soon, and that more time in the second-tier series would give them time to develop their skills on the track and to mature off of it.I couldn't agree more. In the past few years, numerous young drivers have been elevated to the Sprint Cup series with limited success. Allowing them to develop more skill and more of a following could only be a good thing.
Such a change could, theoretically, also bolster interest in the Nationwide and Truck series, since it would ensure that promising young drivers could build fan followings and attract sponsorships while competing at those lower levels."
New Daytona Gear Rule Might Raise Speeds
Following this week's testing at Daytona, NASCAR was a little uneasy with the RPM's that cars were turning.
As a result, the sanctioning body wants to change the gear rule to make sure the engines will last the entire event. According to the NASCAR Scene, teams currently have a 370 or 375 gear and the change would put the teams running a 364 gear.
"If we change the rule, we won't do it officially until all of testing is completed," NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby said Wednesday during testing. "I think all of the teams are already anticipating a change. I know a lot of teams last week tried a 364 gear and a lot of teams here have got 364s in."Teams reached into the 189mph bracket this week at Daytona, and with the change, speeds could see a minimal bump due to the gear change.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-17-2008 @ 3:22PM
Mike said...
The age limit change is a good idea in theory. It would be great to help develope the young drivers more. However, any new rule in that area needs to be paired with a two other new rules. One that would limit the number of times full time sprint cup drivers can race and one that limits the total number of sprint cup drivers in each Nationwide event.
I would suggest that any driver that qualified for 75% or more Sprint races would only be allowed to run in no more than 25% of the Nationwide series races. Also, no more than 25% of ANY field of cars in the Nationwide series would be allowed to be made up of Sprint cup regulars.
This would ensure that there is real opportunity there for new people to develop and the Nationwide series would stop being the playground of many of the Sprint cup drivers it is today.
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1-17-2008 @ 3:23PM
Mike said...
Oops, make that signature:
Michael Bishop LeVan
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1-19-2008 @ 5:13AM
J. Aaron said...
That is a very well thought out response and I peronally think that it would be a great move for the series, as well as being long overdue
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1-18-2008 @ 10:22AM
drgrcr601 said...
Yeah Mike I agree there should be a limit to how many cup drivers compete in the Nationwide series. I was thinking more on the line of a lottery. Only a predetermind limit of drivers would be permitted to participate in each race.(say four or five for example) All interested partys would then draw for those said posistions.
Ron
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1-18-2008 @ 11:52PM
Kenny said...
It's hard to get a sponser and you could have another
champion in the wings,but you let any sprint team
run the nationwide series. How many good teams missed
the race because of sprint teams. Make teams choose
which devision thay want to race that year and hold
them to it! If they don't do this the Nationwide
series should go out on their own and start their
own series. You'll still fill the stands with fans.
Kenny
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