Michael Waltrip Racing faces setback

Not since early in the season has Michel Waltrip had such a disappointing qualifying performance.

All three of Mikey's Toyotas failed to make the field at Phoenix International Raceway.The #00 of David Reuttiman had engine problems and didn't get a lap in.  The #44 with Dale Jarrett behind the wheel was way off the pace and didn't have a chance to make the field.  But, Waltrip's  NAPA sponsored Toyota was better than a handful of other qualifiers and should have made the race, if indeed NASCAR saw fit to let the BEST cars race.

The Top 35 Rule has claimed another MWR victim.

Brian France said earlier this weekend that there are no changes planned for The Chase for 2008.  Let's only hope the same is not true for the lame Top 35 Rule.  Brian--its time to let the best race and send the rest home.  Lets make NASCAR's weekly test a true test of only the best.  If you're not good enough to make the field on a given week--then you don't deserve to race against the best of the week.

The Top 35 Rule no longer protects the big names of NASCAR against the "two laps and gone" Morgan Shepherds of the world.  If you remember, that was the intent.  At one time NASCAR had to pay, yes pay, guys like Shepherd, or Stanton Barrett to haul a decrepit old dinosaur of a race car to the coast to make sure the field was full.  They would run their 2, 3, 5 or ten laps and take it to the garage to collect their payday.

That problem no longer exists.  We are now in an era of more quality cars showing up to the track every week and some of those cars having to go home.   Add to that the inherent inequality of top 35ers getting to work on race setup while the Outsiders have to put all their efforts into getting into the race then switch over to race mode.  Its another case of the rich getting richer.  Lets even the playing field a bit --okay Brian?

photo: msnbc

Comments

[RevJim]

I agree with you 100% on this. In addition, they should do away with the champion's provisional. If NASCAR could do away with provisionals, except in the non-points events, there would be no more point swapping or Paul Menards.

[robert bourne]

Good luck with that..I have been beating that drum so long my arms are about worn out...Your talking to someone who can't even institute a change to have the non top35 qualify together so they have the same track conditions and a level playing field somewhat...The top 35 rule will not go unless there is franchising..the Roush's of the world have Daytona Beach in an armlock on that and they aren't going to ease the pressure...Mr france doesn't have the moxie of his father or grandfather...nuff said..

[Steve]

I just keep believing that if enough is written about this deal--somehow, someway someone (not-Bill)will see the light.

It is a good thing that Big-Bill and Little-Bill aren't around to see what Not-Bill is doing to their sport.

[Charlie]

Meanwhile - start 46 or 47 cars.