Small Teams preview
After writing my opus on the big teams yesterday (my fingers are still tired, thanks for asking), I'm turning my attention to the small teams, the underfunded, overwhelmed and out-Young Gunned one- and two-car operations you don't hear much about. Pretty much all of them can be summed up this way:
Last year: They didn't win.
This year: They won't win.
And look at the numbers: The only two-car team to win a race last year was Penske (Big Busch won two), but Penske has been promoted to Big Team status because Roger took the padlock off the No. 77 garage. (Come to think of it, Newman and Hornish can tear up some race cars. I hope Penske has a good fab shop, 'cause they'll need it.)
But the Small Teams need some love because, frankly, they're more interesting than the Big Teams. Everyone knows all about Junior and Four Time and even Juan Pablo. But the best stories are in the Flameouts, the Never Weres and the Never Will Bes, and NASCAR's history and tradition is rooted in these smaller teams. Besides, it's hard not to smile when you say "Yeley." (Go on, try it. See?)
So here's my look at the Small Teams. Grab a (fill in the name of your favorite beverage here) because it's another long one.
PENSKE RACING
2007 Small Team Ranking: First
Drivers: Big Busch, Newman and Sam Hornish Jr. Wait! That's three drivers, so they're moving up to the ranks of the Big Teams.
Better or worse? Hornish will wreck a lot. Worse.
HALL OF FAME RACING
2007 STR: Second
Driver: Tony Raines is gone. J.J. Yeley, who got the boot from Gibbs, takes over the 96.
Better or worse? Better. I think Yeley might have some driving talent (though he sure didn't show it at Gibbs). I always got the sense that Raines was a placeholder until Troy Aikman found someone else. The continuation of the Joe Gibbs partnership will help. But HOF needs a second team if it wants to be a player and not just a way to get sweet seats at the track.
PETTY ENTERPRISES
2007 STR: Third
Drivers: Kyle Petty (45) and B-Lab (43) are both back.
Better or worse? Worse, sadly. I'd love nothing more than Kyle Petty to win a race. You think folks love seeing Junior win? Race fans would tear up the track and burn down the grandstands if that No. 45 crossed the line first. Second only to that would be to see the No. 43 win. But both drivers are another year more on the wrong side of 40, and Kyle's second straight midsummer booth stint shows that he's ready to move on to the next chapter of his life. The move to Mooresville has to be disruptive, and the commute from Level Cross probably will make it easier for Kyle to take a few more steps away from the driver's seat.
ROBBY GORDON MOTORSPORTS
2007 STR: Fourth
Driver: Robby Gordon, the only single-car owner-operator left
Better or worse? Better. He's essentially the fourth Gillette Evernham car, though Robby's too ornery to sell out. I was disappointed that Dakar got terroristed-out this year, so maybe that means Robby will be better prepared for the Cup season.
HAAS CNC RACING
2007 STR: Fifth
Drivers: Scott Riggs (Evernham) moves from the 10 to Jeff Green's 66; Jeremy Mayfield (70) replaces Johnny Sauter.
Better or worse? Better, mostly because Green is gone. I've never forgiven him for stinking up Childress after Earnhardt's death and embarrassing the No. 43. Riggs and Mayfield are adequate, but don't expect much.
ROBERT YATES RACING
2007 STR: Sixth
Drivers: David Gilliland (38) returns; Travis Kvapil returns to Cup and replaces Rudd (was 88, now 28)
Better or worse? Worse, worse, worse. How bad are things in the Yates camp? They ran out of stuff to unload, so they started fire-saleing the numbers. Travis Kvapil doesn't need to be anywhere near a Cup car, much less one with the No. 28 on it. I'd cry if the Havoline logo was on it. Truth be told, I'd be surprised to see this team exist in three years. They should just go into the motor-building business and be done with it.
RED BULL RACING
2007 STR: Seventh
Drivers: Vickers (83) and Allmendinger (84) return
Better or worse? About the same. Vickers will spend a lot of time driving around in the back, and Allmendinger will spend a lot of time watching races from atop the pit box. I wonder how much patience Red Cow has with these guys as well as the sport itself, especially if the guy driving the No. 88 Amp car starts winning again.
BILL DAVIS RACING
2007 STR: Eighth
Drivers: Dave Blaney (22) returns; Jacques Villeneuve will drive the 27 (new team)
Better or worse? Davis has some pretty good people but no money. I think Blaney will be better this year (he was decent toward the end of last year), but look for Villeneuve to struggle. He's not going to enjoy getting his butt kicked by the other former open-wheelers.
WOOD BROTHERS
2007 STR: Ninth
Drivers: Bill Elliott, Jon Wood and Marcos Ambrose will tag-team in the 21
Better or worse? Worse. Awesome Bill ain't awesome any more, and Jon Wood didn't inherit the driving gene. Morgan-McClure (the No. 4 team) is apparently DOA, and the Wood Brothers are probably next, even before Yates.
FURNITURE ROW RACING
2007 STR: Tenth
Drivers: Joe Nemechek took over from Kenny Wallace (78) late last season
Better or worse? Better, but barely. Kenny's more fun to be around, but Furniture Row Joe is a little more accomplished driver. That said, don't expect much improvement.
BAM RACING
2007 STR: Eleventh
Drivers: Ken Schrader (49) is back in the ride he drove in 2004-05
Better or worse? They're still racing? Who knew?
FRONT ROW RACING
2007 STR: No ranking
Drivers: John Andretti will drive the 34, which was the 37 last year
Better or worse? Better, assuming they make more than three races this year.
Comments (2)
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OK, I'll take a stab at who wins from this list...
Bobby Labonte at Atlanta, Charlotte, or Texas; just needs an engine to last.
Robby Gordon, they still make right turns at Sonoma & The Glen; as long as he controls his temper, etc.
Dave Blaney, runs good at Atlanta; which still owes him a race from '01 when he drove the Amoco car.
Posted on February 15, 2008 2:10 PM
I'm thinking Labonte has the best shot out of all of this crew to make the Chase.
The wild card is Vickers. Guy can drive. I'm wondering if whatever Gibbs figured out with the Toyota engines will make its way over to the Red Cow shop.
Posted on February 18, 2008 5:33 PM