The Open Wheel Driver Invasion
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007
Once upon a time, series like the Indy Cars and Formula One had a lot of fans, a lot of hype, and a lot of money. Today, NASCAR has taken over the airwaves, many of the sponsors, and a lot of the fans. It is a commonly held belief amongst drivers and car owners that the Nextel Cup series is the epitome of racing nowadays, and that’s clearly where the money is. And money talks. Right now, it seems that money is calling to some of the best open wheel racers in the business who are leaving their comfort zone and taking a chance in NASCAR.
Obviously, Juan Pablo Montoya has been holding his own in the big leagues for Chip Gnassi Racing, and is leading the points for the Rookie of the Year honors at the Nextel Cup level. He drove a few Busch Series races last year to get his feet wet, and it wasn’t long before the road course specialist won his first race in the Nextel Cup. Now the 2007 Indy 500 winner (and Ashley Judd’s husband) Dario Franchitti has just announced he will be leaving the Indy Car series to drive the #40 Cup car for Chip Gnassi Racing full time during the 2008 Season. Literally, I heard it on ESPN as a breaking news report as I started typing this post last night, and an official press conference is scheduled for today (the announcement will be made live at 10:30 ET on Speed Channel). It has been confirmed previously that Franchitti will make his NASCAR debut this weekend in the ARCA race at Talladega.
I also heard Jeff Gordon complaining in a sound bite this afternoon on the radio about how Jacques Villeneuve, Formula One superstar, will make his cup debut at Talladega this Sunday with no more NASCAR driving under his belt beyond a lack-luster finish in the Las Vegas Craftsman Truck race and a Car of Tomorrow Test Session at Talladega. Hendrick teammate Kyle Busch shares Gordon’s reservations about an untested driver joining a restrictor plate race in the middle of the Chase with no previous seat time.
What do you think about these drivers making the leap to the big leagues? Do they need more practice before they jump in feet first, or do you welcome them and their talent to the races? Let me know in the comment section below.
NASCAR, Dario Franchitti, Chip Gnassi Racing, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve, Open Wheel racers in NASCAR
