Tuesday, June 17, 2008

'Sliced Bread' precedent unhealthy for the sport

At first glance, it would appear that ESPN’s assertive prediction of Joey Logano being our sport’s version of Wayne Gretzky or Tiger Woods – an embodiment of greatness and a dynasty for the ages – is well on its way to materializing.

Granted the pre-show puff piece in which Donnie Allison commented “He’s the best I’ve ever seen,” aired before he had ever taken the track for a NASCAR Nationwide Series race, was a tad presumptuous, the kid has played up to the hype by winning in his third career series start. I’m elated that ESPN and other media outlets have honed their scouting prowess enough to promptly give Logano “Tim Tebow Credence” and the corresponding buzz surrounding his emergence into mainstream motorsports. If you didn’t look hard enough, you wouldn’t see the marionette strings known as NASCAR dangling in the background.

First, let’s clear any doubt of guilt: Logano is good. Very. He has a Kenseth-like calmness that allows him to get the best of his typically superior equipment at the most-opportune time (the end of the race).  I seriously doubt the majority of the NASCAR beat media watched him as often as I did in both Hooters Pro Cup and the Camping World East Series. If they did, they would realize he wasn’t exactly a race dominator, but a lights-out closer. The teen was in the front of the pack at the end of every race, which is always a habit that would delight the fancy of team execs hoping to compete for a points championship. He’s an excellent talent who deserves to be where he is: a top-tier team and on his way to the top of the sport. Is he the best young talent I’ve ever seen? Is he the best young prospect currently listed on my web site? I’m not so sure. But none of the hype, the puff pieces, or the bloated expectations is particularly his fault. Let the 18 year-old drive a race car. He’ll be fine.

What irks me is the marketing push put forth by NASCAR. They aren’t pushing a personality, obviously, because Logano hasn’t established one yet. They are pushing the promise of talent. The National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (sorry for the Ron Jaworski-esque extended naming) knows that it has to promote drivers and personalities to attract viewership and ticket sales.

The NBA has established this precedent with the likes of Kevin Garnett and LeBron James, two high-schoolers turned draft picks. Is this the correct thing to do for our sport? The 2008 Camping World East Series schedule had yet to kick-off when my inbox began receiving a deluge of emails from the NASCAR PR Department touting Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon. Prior to this season, Dillon’s chops had been honed in the Legends and Bandaleros arena, then on the dirt in an RCR-built dirt late model. On the surface, it looks as if he will be ‘08’s Logano from a media standpoint. Should such a publicity push be made?

Since outlandish comparisons have already been thrown around, let’s continue the theme: if NASCAR were the NBA, Logano is Kevin Garnett. As a fresh-faced 17 year-old out of Chicago’s Farragut Academy, Garnett made the transcendent leap from high school straight to the professional ranks. Now this had been done before (i.e. Moses Malone) but this was the ignition button on a trend of teens looking for the quick fix known as fame, money, and power. Garnett succeeded as did Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Amare Stoudemire, and the aforementioned Mr. James; however, with a few success stories, come an exorbitant amount of failures. For every Garnett, there will be a Kwame Brown, Leon Smith, Sebastian Telfair, and Gerald Green – talented athletes in their respective high school talent pools, yet arguably known as notable busts based on their lack of career achievement. I understand Brian France’s ambition to be similar to stick-and-ball sports, but at what cost do we continue to promote drivers prior to making a debut in one of NASCAR’s top three series? All of a sudden, these planted media items are subjecting teenagers to never-before-seen scrutiny and unfathomable pressure. Does NASCAR need to throw young drivers into the fire? No. And there’s a built-in system for avoiding this temptation: the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

As a scout, I was fortunate enough to see young Kyle Busch and young Martin Truex Jr. compete at regional levels before making the jump to the Nationwide Series. With respect to Mr. Allison, they are the two best wheelmen I’ve seen at that level. They also were recipients of publicity thanks in part to their multiple-win seasons during their tenure in the Nationwide Series.  By the time they were rookies in the Sprint Cup Series, Busch and Truex were household names and respected racers. The system works. If abided be, Logano should just now be receiving media love (as would Nashville race winner Brad Keselowski). NASCAR threw Logano off the plank in hopes that he would swim – fortunately for them he has the ability to do kick-flips underwater. Other young drivers may not be so lucky.

I can’t say that I’m completely exonerated from the same argument. I realize this web site has certainly spiced things up for young drivers hoping to crack the Logano stratosphere, but I’m by no means writing articles touting someone as the “soon-to-be greatest driver ever” or “the sport’s great and identifiable talent,” like other media venues. I appreciate the fact that mainstream motorsports media has taken an interest (or downed the Kool-Aid they were provided) in young and exciting talent, but there isn’t a pressing need to subject teenagers, most still in high school, to any added mental anguish or large undertaking. We have Forbes-ranked super teams and the promise of multi-million dollar sponsorships expediting the maturation process for several teenagers already. Is it necessary to give them manufactured hype?

Two years ago the NBA enacted a rule forcing draft prospects to at least be one year removed from high school basketball. This all but forces these young students to go to college, albeit sometimes only for a year, and develop as a player AND a person. With this ruling, league commissioner David Stern admitted that the jump from prom to pros isn’t in the best interest of anyone. If NASCAR wishes to assimilate to the current state of sports, similar actions will need to be taken.

NASCAR, please get with the program: don't create the paper tiger. Product placement worked with Logano but it will backfire with another bright-eyed kid with a heart set on competing in a world that you created. When it comes to young talent, let them sort it out amongst themselves and experienced competitors in either a Nationwide or Truck Series race. It's a system that has worked in the past and will help divert from a scary precedent that you've already set.

----------

Friday, May 16, 2008

A simple solution to the late model quandary

The economic recession is killing late model racing; however it doesn’t have to be this disappointing.

The ASA Southeast Tour, the ASA South Late Models, and the PASS South Late Models have suffered from smaller car counts in recent weeks, shorter than at the beginning of the season, which saw the Southeast Tour debut with a 36-car show at Mobile and recently put on a show in which 16 cars showed up to Bronson Motor Speedway.

At Motor Mile Speedway, the PASS South Late Models had 21 cars arrive for their Mother's Day 150-lapper. This negated the typical Consolation Race/LCQ format for which PASS has become known.

The economy, rising gas prices, and the ridiculous abundance of touring late model series are at fault. But is there a solution?

Based upon the France family’s concept of putting cars on the track equals stout competition and stout competition equals flourishing business, the potential solution could be best viewed with the case study known as UARA.

The UARA Late Model Series, a regional touring series throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia could currently be considered tops in the late model industry. Why? Car counts in the 30s and 40s, a concentrated mapping of tracks, and a legit talent pool have put together a seemingly healthy series.

Minus the media attention, UARA hasn’t received the acclaim it deserves. Nevertheless, it’s easily the best touring late model series in the country and the perfect model for a genre reemergence.

Are the two separate ASA sanctions biting off more than they can chew? Is PASS passé?

I’ve given up on a unified late model sanction a la USAC. This doesn’t mean we can’t break down the barriers that keep these sanctions from becoming prosperous.

The UARA got it right by sticking inside the designated region, which attracts a loyal fringe fan base. The ASA North and South late models are staying true to form but the Challenge Series (a division with no limits on travel) is a heavy undertaking. Eliminate the Challenge Series, attempt to unify with the other ASA, and stay true to the tracks that can be relied upon.

I’m not certain that PASS is running the correct tracks. The PASS South (Carolina’s attempt at super late models) contains a Northeast influence. Why? The PASS North was a noble concept but unless they're racing in the Northeast, it’s not going to attract the car counts it once had. The PASS North should stay in the North, but the South needs to find a correct audience. Is it time to venture to Florida or Alabama? PASS needs to embrace the popularity of the super late model, the Snowball Derby, and the history of that particular car in those areas. From that point, a slow expansion could occur but North Carolina is a bit of a stalled dream.

The super late model hasn't been relevant in the Carolinas for well over a decade. A new concept is admirable; however, when the current concept is wildly popular, the new idea won't be met with longstanding approval (see USAC Silver Crown Series). The PASS South is in its third year. It's time to reevaluate.

Bring the cars and the competition grows. Bring the competition and the fans, sponsors, and buzz inevitably comes. Granted, there would need to be a consequential marketing/media push, the solution is simple for late models.

It can be done. Why isn’t it coming to fruition?

----------

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

When it comes to fenders, Pro Cup South is tops

The drivers in the open-wheel ranks have it pretty easy: tool around in a sprint car or midget at local shows or regionally-based divisions until making the leap to USAC’s elite level of competition. There is one nationally-recognized, unified sanction that houses sprint and midget racers. If you win in USAC, you’re beating the best. End of story.

Kids growing up around late models have a tougher agenda. They have choices in series, motor sizes, and desired regions. There are fledgling series like PASS North and South and the new ASA Southeast Tour for late models. There's the ASA Late Model Series, featuring economically efficient Crate-motored vehicles. There’s the NASCAR Camping World East and West Series for hand-me-down Cup and Nationwide cars. There’s ARCA, held in high regard for being the only series that tackles the likes of Talladega, Pocono, and DuQuoin.

Problem is, there isn’t a unified sanction. Hell, we have two different companies with the label “ASA” battling one another. It’s a travesty, really.

But for right now, the baddest block in Fender City belongs to USAR’s Hooters Pro Cup Southern Division. No contest.

The series has everything you could ever ask for: benchmarks by the names of Bobby Gill and Michael Ritch; young and exciting talent such as the likes of Matt Hawkins, James Buescher, Trevor Bayne, and now former South Boston and Kenly track champion Drew Herring; treacherous tracks like Lakeland’s USA International, Bristol, and Rockingham; fierce racing, whether it be a high speed chess game at Iowa or a four-wide frenzy at Myrtle Beach. The series has an identity, personified by the character, heart, and ability of its combatants.

Currently, there is one former Pro Cup regular at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level (Brian Vickers, currently ninth in points), but that will soon change. The likes of Hawkins and Buescher are tremendous young talents that deserve to be at the highest rung on the NASCAR ladder. Herring and Bayne possess excellent racing ability and could be contenders down the road for potential NASCAR rides. While the minors-to-majors pipeline is still being constructed, there happens to be some excellent racing accumulating in this Southern Division.

The young talent is solid. The veteran talent is legit. There’s controversy, chaos, and celebration. The division isn’t just a spectator-friendly arena, it’s a roller coaster for the human psyche.

Perhaps with the weekly aired replays on Versus, much of the racing community will get a chance to watch true maverick racing in all its glory. Tune in…it’ll be worth it.

My Top-Ten Most Competitive Short Track Series of 2008

1. USAC National Sprint Car Series
2. USAC National Midgets Series

The only nationally-recognized unified touring sanction never ceases to put on a terrific show. Both divisions have churned out champions (Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart) and continue to help develop young racers on dirt and pavement with top notch car control and a sense of attack mode, thanks to 25- and 30-lap features.

3. USAR Pro Cup Series Southern Division

The cars, similar to those from the NASCAR Nationwide Series help young racers acclimate to the heavier cars used at the next level but the solid competition, thanks to great equipment and greater drivers brings the best out of every single competitor.

4. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

Without a doubt, the most underrated series in America. The veterans, such as Teddy Christopher, Mike Stefanik, and Eric Beers are still on their A-game, so to the point that if a young driver can excel early on, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Youngsters James Civali, Bobby Santos, and Matt Hirschman are carrying the banner for a tour that was once a direct shot to NASCAR.

5. (tie) Blizzard Late Model Series, Florida Sunbelt Series

Another gem, these two Florida-based series excel when its drivers venture to other tracks and series to show off. With the likes of Jeff Choquette, Tim Russell, and Josh Hamner never hesitating to look like a million bucks on-track, the two divisions are flourishing. There also must be something in the water in Florida that gives drivers, ahem, mechanical creativity: the Florida drivers are almost a lock to hit on the perfect setup (or get disqualified) at every track. From Bobby Allison to Cale Gale, the state of Florida has produced some intelligent talents.

6. PASS Late Models Southern Division
7. UARA Stars Late Model Series

These two divisions are on the up and up. Between the two, historically hyper-competitive venues such as Hickory and Kenly are utilized, capitalizing on the Carolina’s racing fan base. Promotional work aside, young drivers are emerging by the crateful in what are considered “first step series” for wide-eyed late model aspirations. PASS boasts the likes of Ryan Lawler, Cassius Clark, and Corey Williams while UARA will have potential news-makers in Alex Yontz, Jake Crum, Darrell Wallace, and Brandon McReynolds.

8. ASA Challenge Series
9. NASCAR Camping World East Series
10. ARCA RE/MAX Series

The three series on this list that receive the highest publicity also make up the bottom trio in terms of strength. The ASA Challenge Series is the go-to Crate series but with younger drivers needing more horsepower and heavier machinery, this could be a dying division. NASCAR’s Camping World East was put on the map because of Joey Logano but the once proud Busch North Series is a shell of its former self. A family-owned team would be tough sledding in a short track division that isn’t nearly as competitive as the Pro Cup South. ARCA maintains a credible legitimacy thanks to the early looks it gives young stock car gassers on intermediate and super speedways. Still, it’s an equipment series with thin depth on the driver roster.

----------

Friday, February 22, 2008

No points? No problem

Bryan Clauson isn't racing for points. Ditto for Jeff Choquette. Josh Wise? Nope. James Buescher? Think again.

Of the eleven five-star prospects listed on DSM, only Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (ARCA), Matt Hawkins (USAR Pro Cup), James Civali (Modifieds), and Colin Braun (NASCAR Trucks) intend on racing for an individual series championship.

Have we embarked on a new trend? Potentially, we could see a more cavalier style of racing: points don't matter, wins do.

I love it.

Do NASCAR teams care about championships? In a sense of the term, yes. It's always an exceedingly endearing boast that their development driver is a series champion.

But what NASCAR teams care more about is the sheer versatility that a driver shows in success sprinkled across a power-packed schedule. Teams nowadays have become more calculated in their selection of development drivers, whether it be for skill or money. If they're truly looking to develop a young racer, they want to get the odds as high as possible on the incoming gamble.

How do the odds increase? Knowing that a driver can beat anyone in any series on any given day. No gamble is a sure thing but teams that intend on divvying up sponsor dollars for development drivers prefer it be as close to a "sure thing" as humanly possible.

There's no exact science to scouting drivers. Much of it is speculation, and that said speculation comes from a driver who can demonstrate that he/she is a versatile winner.

Granted, the lack of a complete run for the series title is a case of funding for the likes of Clauson, Cassill, and Wise. Soon-to-be 18 year-old Joey Logano isn't legally able (age) to compete for the Nationwide Series crown.

So what? They can still win. Isn't that what matters?

In the case of Choquette, he's dumping the notion of defending his ASA Southern Division title in favor of venturing out of Florida for some bigger money races such as The Rattler at South Alabama Speedway in two weeks and the Winchester 400 this fall.

Buescher's eclectic mix of racing will include USAR Pro Cup, the Camping World East Series, and the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

13 year-old World Series of Asphalt Crate Late Model champ Logan Ruffin isn't going to run the full ASA schedule this year even though he'll be listed as a Rookie of the Year contender. He'll take on the PASS and CRA Late Model Series in hopes of finding big car counts and tough competition.

Welcome to the new era. (Or perhaps a flashback to yesteryear.)

Growing up, I remember the best drivers flocked to the races with the biggest pay day. The car counts would be huge, the competition would be stacked, and the winner would be legit. We're slowly backtracking to the days of bringing home "the feature money." That's not only good for race fans and the general interest of the sport, that means we're going to see many potent racers develop over the course of the next decade. The boost of strength in schedule will force racers to adapt. The contenders will excel and the pretenders will be filtered out.

While the new nomadic style of racing is blooming, several of the top racers in the country are going the traditional route, but with an added caveat.

Darren Hagen (USAC) has set his goal for the 2008 season: lead laps and win races. Matt Hirschman is still searching for his first Whelen Modified Tour win. For those two, their 2007 season was spent emphasizing point racing. Hagen, who scored one national USAC Midget win in '07, finished runner-up in both USAC National Midget and USAC National Sprint Car standings. Hirschman never found victory lane but finished third in Tour points. Their flaw is glaring: they need to prove that they can hoist trophies at the end of a race on a more consistent basis.

On the flip side, Civali earned three Whelen Modified Tour wins (the second highest win total in the series) but finished sixth in points. Sean Caisse scored four wins in the Camping World East Series in '07 but was in the shadow of Logano's five wins and series championship. Can the two Northeastern racers win a title to show that their efforts aren't completely for naught? Wins are terrific but if you insist on racing for points, you need to score in both.

It's a simple bottom line: if you're point racing, you better win races AND championships. Done and done.

While this trend is refreshing, it's also dangerous. If you insist on the "traveling road show" style of racing, it's win or go home. If you lose in what is considered to be a rough-and-tumble series, such as USAC Sprint Cars or USAR Pro Cup's Southern Division, one could always point to the sheer depth of the feature field as an easy out.

As the trend grows, so does the vested interest in short track racing from a NASCAR team's standpoint. In their world, point racing only exists on Sunday afternoons.

And how does one get the enviable honor of competing on Sundays? Make headlines on Saturday night. Winners get the headlines. Point leaders get the box score.

The theory is proving to be successful, as seen in this past year's signing season.

Do you want championships? Frank Kimmel has nine of them in ARCA. Levi Jones grabbed his second USAC Sprint Car title in 2007. They both return to their respective series in '08, attempting title defenses.

Meanwhile, Michael McDowell (four ARCA wins and leader in laps led) and Stenhouse Jr. (nine national USAC wins) inked deals in the off-season with Michael Waltrip Racing and Roush Fenway Racing, respectively. McDowell will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at Martinsville. On a Sunday.

Still considering racing for points? It may be a risk not to, but that risk could come with a substantially high reward. It might be time to assimilate to the new way of thinking in the development game.

If not, the traditional point racer needs to hope that this "trend" doesn't become the norm, as it's rapidly approaching becoming the industry standard.