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Racing season is heating up--behind the mike.
There are already some "he said--she said" confrontations heading up the NASCAR 2008
season. But surprisingly enough the combatants have centered around the radio broadcasting scene.
Former ESPN RPM 2Night host John Kernan and Charlotte Observer, Sirius Radio and ON PIT ROW raconteur, David Poole, have been sniping at one another for a couple of weeks as was chronicled on The Daly Planet blog. Kernan's gig for Sirius Radio has gone up in smoke. And he seems to think it has to do with the current crop of radio personalities who do nothing but "tow the NASCAR line" He was/is unwilling to be a "shill" for NASCAR and intimates that others, including Poole, have lost their journalistic edge.
This week the Fast Lap asks:
1) Should NASCAR raise the minimum age for drivers in any of their top three series to 21 years of age?
2) Is NASCAR relying on Dale Jr. to single handedly rejuvenate the sport?
3) Was all the 2007 worry about Toyota taking over the sport; just one year too early?
4) Kenny Wallace or Jimmy Spencer?
Let us know how you feel about these questions, or anything else that happened since last February in Daytona. If we like your comments, whether we agree or not, we may use them on the air during Tuesday's ON PIT ROW. Leave us a comment on the blog or call the show--toll free at 1-877-502-8255 between 5-7pm ET on Tuesdays.
Fast Laps
1) Yes! NASCAR isn't like the NHL or the NFL where the twilight of your career is about age 40.
2) It may seem like it, but I don;t think so, but every governing body in pro sports does rely on their stars to carry them through tough times.
3) For last year, yes. For this year, hmmm ... they will do better, but take over the sport? No. Although they will do better than Dodge. It all boils down to a Roush/Fenway vs Hendrick vs Gibbs vs GEM (maybe Ganassi instead of GEM, I must give it more thought) battle this year. The majority of wins this year will come from these racing stables - not all, but most and Toyota will not run away with it unless Hendrick leaves Chevy and joins them, which won't happen.
4) Wallace of course!
Posted by: 4ever3 | January 22, 2008 at 12:31 AM
1. No... I've got a post up with stats that show it's not the "youngsters" that have been the problem that last few years. In fact, aby Busch, who has raised more than a few fans ire was only 12th in crashes his rookie year. The top three that year were all over 20 years of age.
2. No what give you that idea?
3. So, what happens if Toyota "takes over" the sport? Nothing, they just like Roush who was supposed to "ruin" the sport when he placed 5 in the Chase will have "their" day and then someone will knock them off the top. Same goes for the current tun Hendrick is having.
4. Huh!
Posted by: marc | January 22, 2008 at 02:50 AM
1. I had to think a lot about this one. First reaction was no, but then I thought it will really step up the competition in Nationwide if the younger guys had to stay there longer. That would be a good thing.
2. No the idea is ridiculous
3. I think that Toyota will be a competitive team, and I hope to see my guys who driver Toyotas win, but I don't think they will "take over the sport."
4 Herman the German
Note to marc, been following your debate on Poole's blog. Go get 'em!
Posted by: RevJim | January 22, 2008 at 08:10 AM
1. It's fine with me, just like the NBA minimum age boosted college hoops last year.
2. No, but he will save us from the ugly, mutant guys.
3. Toyota will improve, but won't eclipse the sport. Cup is a lot different than the Trucks.
4. Wallace, based on his ability to formulate an intelligent sentence. Bonus points for being related to Lauren.
Posted by: mike | January 22, 2008 at 05:26 PM
1. Yes, I believe the Sprint Cup Series should have a minimum age requirement of 21. Especially if guys like Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch are going to be the faces for alcohol products.
2. I don't really think so. He definitely hasn't been bad for business, but I think if they really want to keep ratings up, they need to figure out how to keep Johnson & Gordon from putting us to sleep.
3. No, Toyota's never going to "take over" NASCAR. I do believe, however, that they will show remarkable improvement this season with the addition of JGR to the fold, and their program will be competitive overall within the next 2-3 years.
4. Jimmy Spencer ... mainly because I like seeing him fight.
Posted by: Tim Zaegel | January 23, 2008 at 12:57 AM