Writing.Com: Looking for something to talk about...

Since the 500, the NASCAR news scene has been pretty, well, boring. I could find comments on the race, comments on penalties, comments on fantasy leagues... What happened to the news about the sport? I guess after the feeding frenzy at Daytona, the media and the newsmakers are just plum worn out. So I dug a little bit today...

Over at Backstretch Motorsports (http://www.backstretchmotorsports.com/bm/index.php?option=com_content&task=...) I enjoyed reading an interview with Chip Ganassi and his thoughts on the year so far, about the industry...and I sighed in relief. Real comments about real issues.

It was reassuring to hear honest feedback from Chip about the state of his team. He understands the pros and cons of maintaining his young stable of relative newbies. He, too, is looking at Juan Pablo as a new leader for his men. He commented on the rising costs of the sport and I found an interesting comment.

People are still the #1 cost when it comes to running this sport. We often hear about complaints about the equipment. But when it comes down to it, the number of team members that are carried from track to track and are "required" for a competitive run continue to climb as teams like Hendrick and Rousch never stop building. Where will the future of the sport come from when a team appears to need an entourage 100 strong in order to enter a race?

Over the past couple years, I'd have to say the most competitive newcomers to the owners list are the drivers. With their lucrative "back-end" sponsor deals, they accumulate the kind of wealth needed to just seed a team. They enter the truck and Busch world with at least a running knowledge of the people needed and where to get the equipment. So, the superstars of today appear to be the superstar owners of tomorrow.

What happened to the "every man" image that NASCAR was founded on so many years ago? Even now, the sanctioning body is running ads on Speed and raceday sending the racing fan to their local tracks. But honestly, even though men like Andy Santerre are building a "stable" in regional series, do I believe that he would be capable of taking it national? Not really. I suspect a business manager with a degree from Harvard would be the first thing needed.

The image of NASCAR is changing. While it is still possible for a local racer to "make it" as a driver in the big leagues, the amount of money and connections needed to field a car at the Cup level is no longer possible for the local car dealership.

For me? I'd be just as happy if NASCAR existed only on the local level. The circus of the Cup world is entertaining, but the personality of the competitors almost gets lost in the polish of commercials. The edge of racing still lives in bent sheet metal and unburnt fuel. And that is not expensive.

On that note...the Spring Icebreaker at Thompson is only two months away. It'll lack the glitter of Daytona, but it will still have all the excitement

Catch ya later!