The fate of the 6 car
Now that Silly Season is pretty much over (excluding who gets the Red Bull No. 2 and Michael Waltrip No. 3 rides), the biggest 2007 who-drives-where story in the garage swirls around the No. 6.
Its current occupant, Mark Martin, won't be back. And the weekend news on Martin's 2007 plans (it looks like he'll split time in the No. 60 Cup car with Big Bad Boris Said) had this little nugget: "Martin's replacement in the No. 6 next season will be one of Roush's four developmental drivers, Todd Kluever, Danny O'Quinn Jr., David Ragan or Erik Darnell."
Todd Kluever, the heir apparent early on, has made just two races in the 06 this season. (I think he failed to qualify for at least one or two more - anyone remember?) In two Cup races, his best finish was 41st. Not exactly Cup material, this kid, at least not yet.
So I guess this shouldn't come as much surprise to Roush watchers: Truck Series David Ragan will give the 06 a try this weekend.
I have no idea who will be driving that car next season, but none of those four look like a short-term fix. (There's no telling what they'll do in the long term because NASCAR doesn't seem to have much of a long term.)
Here's what I do know: Roush got just two of his five drivers in the Chase this year, McMurray's team didn't show much at all, and the 6 car is going to stink next year. After last year's success, did anyone think Roush would stumble so much? I'm not saying that Roush is BAM Racing or the Wood Brothers, but I'm still surprised that Roush couldn't carry over last year's succes.
Anyone have any guesses why? I'm stumped.
Wednesday update: Matt at The Catfish Show predicts that it's 50-50 between Kluever and Ragan; Darnell's third and O'Quinn is fourth. Sounds plausible. But you have to figure that the Roush camp is a little stressed that what seemed to be seamless now seems to have a few frayed edges.
Comments (4)
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Biffle just had an off year. A few drivers are always going to have that happen to them.
McMurray isn't really Chase material.
I see Roush having atleast 2 in the Chase next year, which isn't too bad.
Posted on September 19, 2006 8:44 PM
I posted my take tonight. The 6 will be building for the next few years. Next year I would expect Kenseth, Biffle, and maybe Edwards to make the Chase. Roush had an incredible year last year but the Chevy fleet has just been better than Fords, just by sheer numbers.
Posted on September 19, 2006 11:25 PM
I think Roush racing was a lot more connected last year and it help the organization as a whole and that's why so many of them did well. The whole organization seems to be disconnected this year and they don't feel like a team. Last year it was like the Roush team in the chase vs everyone else. This year it's been, "Oh, I forget he drove for Roush."
They've got to find a way to reconnect--Matt will need to grow up real quick and mentor a young driver coming in the 6 car. Can they do it? I don't think so, but we'll see.
Posted on September 20, 2006 11:04 AM
Matt, I forgot all about Edwards. I think his "awe-shucks" attitude after he takes someone out has me tiring of him much like Mikey. Granted Edwards has more wins than Mikey in a fraction of the time.
Posted on September 21, 2006 12:30 PM