Openwheel drivers to NASCAR [Archive] - Page 2

beachbum

28th May 2008, 15:54

Agreed.

Why can't an Indycar team give him a test, or why can't he take a one-off with Vision in Edmonton or something?Maybe because of his past history of behavior, like the "chrome horn" and acting out? He certainly developed a reputation as the "bad boy" in CART and CCWS. He burned (torched) a lot of bridges along the way, and why would a team saddle themselves with that baggage? Unfortunately, he is also a bit past his "sell by" date, and "one-offs" just wouldn't make sense for any team. Unless of course, he brings bags of money or sponsorship.

Chamoo

28th May 2008, 16:09

Maybe because of his past history of behavior, like the "chrome horn" and acting out? He certainly developed a reputation as the "bad boy" in CART and CCWS. He burned (torched) a lot of bridges along the way, and why would a team saddle themselves with that baggage? Unfortunately, he is also a bit past his "sell by" date, and "one-offs" just wouldn't make sense for any team. Unless of course, he brings bags of money or sponsorship.

Not sure if you realized, but, Vision is owned by Tony George, the same man who owns the IRL. Tony running PT in a one off at Edmonton, a Canadian venue, and a track PT has run before, would bring in bags of money and sponsorship for the race, and open up doors for the future in Canada with PT.

Edmontonians aren't going to show up at the race to cheer on Marty Roth as their Canadian Hero.

garyshell

28th May 2008, 16:18

Not sure if you realized, but, Vision is owned by Tony George, the same man who owns the IRL. Tony running PT in a one off at Edmonton, a Canadian venue, and a track PT has run before, would bring in bags of money and sponsorship for the race, and open up doors for the future in Canada with PT.

Edmontonians aren't going to show up at the race to cheer on Marty Roth as their Canadian Hero.

But, but, but Scott Goodyear is going to be there! <big ol' facetious grin>

Gary

bblocker68

28th May 2008, 17:02

garyshell

28th May 2008, 17:05

He's controversial and a proven race winner. IndyCar could definitely use a guy like PT.

Especially this year! Durring this transition, his racing experience, humor, antics, persona, would be a big plus. When the unification was announced PT was one of the drivers mentione by name by the IRL as a person they really wanted to have. It was a shame he was not in the 500, a real shame.

Gary

harvick#1

28th May 2008, 17:23

But, but, but Scott Goodyear is going to be there! <big ol' facetious grin>

Gary

forget that, the IRL is only about Danica. thats what everyone shows up for, gag :mark:

oldhippie

28th May 2008, 17:25

paul tracy tried nascar and his results were not very good
paul tracy should stay with what he does best

oldhippie

28th May 2008, 17:28

he should come to nascar
im sure the good old boys would welcome him

garyshell

28th May 2008, 17:41

forget that, the IRL is only about Danica. thats what everyone shows up for, gag :mark:

We get it. You hate Danica. Is it REALLY necessary to continue to tell us this in threads that have NOTHING to do with Danica?

Gary

JSH

28th May 2008, 17:44

Why can't an Indycar team give him a test, or why can't he take a one-off with Vision in Edmonton or something?

Because he's washed up.

He WAS fast. He WAS good.

garyshell

28th May 2008, 17:51

Because he's washed up.

He WAS fast. He WAS good.

Based on what? A dismal year with the DP01, where it was obvious that the crew didn't have a clue what they were doing by applying old setup data from a non-existant car as their baseline? They, by their own admisssion, struggled all year to try to give Tracy a car that suited his style of driving. They never figured it out. Hardly an indication that PT was or is washed up. He might be, but for me the jury is still out.

Gary

Chamoo

28th May 2008, 17:53

I'd love to see PT apply the Chrome Horn to Danica, and watch the sparks fly. Made for TV!

harvick#1

28th May 2008, 18:08

paul tracy tried nascar and his results were not very good
paul tracy should stay with what he does best

as for alot of others also

Carpentier is struggling with Evernham
Montoya shows very little signs of life but sometimes can run with the best
Hornish is off alot and rarely on
Allmendinger can barely qualify week in, week out
Franchitti is now injured but was struggling.

the IRL and Nascar would be way better off if they all went back to OW.

PT will just be another failure if he joins Nascar

champcarray

28th May 2008, 18:08

I'm with you, Chamoo -- having PT and Danica in the same series could be very interesting. I'm not PT's #1 fan, but his absence looms large.

nigelred5

28th May 2008, 18:12

The reason Crazy-Dave is still driving OW cars is because he actually can't fit into a tintop due to his jaw.... :p

There's no way he could squeeze into the drivers window of a Cup car..

Please.Have you ever stood next to Michael Waltrip? ;) Coulthard is a midget compared to Mikey. Remember, He was so big they allowed him test an escape hatch out the roof he had so much trouble getting in and out of the window. He does have quite the square jaw doesn't he. ;)

harvick#1

28th May 2008, 18:13

What are the chances of Red Bull extending their operation to 3 cars in the future? With Scott Speed coming on it might be something they are considering. And with DC in the future who knows?

why though is AJ still in a car. but I got to believe that this is his last year if he doens't prove anything other than qualifying and running in 35th every week.

Speed will do slightly better than AJ would but not much.

Vickers shows what the team can do when they hit the setup right, still haven't seen anything big from AJ. and an All-star race with non of the big boys is nothing to be proud of

nigelred5

28th May 2008, 18:14

Hey, at least David is already used to running around at the back.

JasonD

28th May 2008, 18:40

A few comments I'll make here.

Harvick offered PT a contract for 2007 to run Busch, so I guess Harvick saw/sees something in PT that you sunday afternoon couch potatoes dont.

Also if PT jumped right back into Sprint Cup again there would be cries of "he sholdnt be here, he doesnt know what hes doing, he should start in TRUCKS first".

AND NOW that he is testing trucks hes washed up and shouldnt even bother?

Give me a break, there is no pleaseing you guys.

Oh and as for the other OW guys, well what about all the NASCAR veterans that stuggle mid-field and have come up through the ranks and still struggle at the back.

Mad_Hatter

28th May 2008, 19:48

Because he's washed up.

He WAS fast. He WAS good.

People omit that he would've won at least one more championship if it weren't for Bourdais taking him out in two or three races.

PT in Trucks = awful.

Lee Roy

28th May 2008, 21:16

he should come to nascar
im sure the good old boys would welcome him

There have been a lot of drivers coming in from other racing series lately and I don't know of one that hasn't been welcome.

Lee Roy

28th May 2008, 21:18

as for alot of others also

Carpentier is struggling with Evernham
Montoya shows very little signs of life but sometimes can run with the best
Hornish is off alot and rarely on
Allmendinger can barely qualify week in, week out
Franchitti is now injured but was struggling.

the IRL and Nascar would be way better off if they all went back to OW.

PT will just be another failure if he joins Nascar

I thought he had already failed in NASCAR once before.

-Helix-

28th May 2008, 21:39

Edmontonians aren't going to show up at the race to cheer on Marty Roth as their Canadian Hero.

It's sad that Canadians are so seemingly nationalistic that they need a competitive "horse in the race" to be interested.

Sure, I cheer for Marco and Graham because they're young American drivers continuing great legacies with bright futures ahead of them but I would still watch Indycar even without them.

I like Indycar for the racing and I would still watch every weekend knowing there wasn't a single American in the field.

A similar situation is hockey where Jeremy Roenick is an American in a league that is 99% Canadian and is known mostly for his mouth and personality. While he's funny, I'm kind of embarrased by him because he's washed up and thinks he's better than he actually is. I have no problem being a hockey fan when there are no American superstars.

I like the sport for the sport, not who is taking part in it.

That said it would be interesting to see him in an Indycar. Hey, the Sharks gave Roenick a chance. :p

ms0362

28th May 2008, 22:07

I don't see alot of these open wheel boys having the transition success that someone like Stewart had. Seems like their rides are drying up and they figure Nascar is the place to land. We need some more grass root dirt track oval boys to move up.

Chamoo

28th May 2008, 22:08

It's sad that Canadians are so seemingly nationalistic that they need a competitive "horse in the race" to be interested.

It's not that Canadians are so nationalistic about it, casual racing fans are nationalistic about it, just as casual American fans are nationalistic about their drivers.

You sir are more then a casual fan, most everyone on this forum is. We will watch the races whether the drivers are Asians, Africans, North Americans et cetera. But, the casual fan in North America needs something extra to force them to dish out the money to buy a ticket. I'm not sure if you are aware of what force PT has in Canada, he is Canada's best known driver, even ahead of Jacques Villeneuve.

The race will be no different whether PT is in it or not, but, the casual fans in Edmonton might decide to go check out the race to cheer on someone they like, and that isn't Marty Roth. The people need that little something extra to get them off the couch and out to the race track.

The race will be successful with or without PT, but, it will be a complete success if PT is there.

Hoss Ghoul

28th May 2008, 23:45

It's sad that Canadians are so seemingly nationalistic that they need a competitive "horse in the race" to be interested.

Sure, I cheer for Marco and Graham because they're young American drivers continuing great legacies with bright futures ahead of them but I would still watch Indycar even without them.

I like Indycar for the racing and I would still watch every weekend knowing there wasn't a single American in the field.

A similar situation is hockey where Jeremy Roenick is an American in a league that is 99% Canadian and is known mostly for his mouth and personality. While he's funny, I'm kind of embarrased by him because he's washed up and thinks he's better than he actually is. I have no problem being a hockey fan when there are no American superstars.

I like the sport for the sport, not who is taking part in it.

That said it would be interesting to see him in an Indycar. Hey, the Sharks gave Roenick a chance. :p

What nonsense. JR had a great year for the Sharks, with TEN game winning goals, a 4 point performance in game 7 versus the Flames, and served as an on ice leader and all around great locker room guy all year. He's not washed up in any way, and is surprisingly humble. End OT rant.

As for PT, I'd rather see him in a truck than not racing at all.

Yankee Racer

29th May 2008, 02:33

I'd rather he not...

Am I the only one who would welcome the open wheel drivers IF and only IF they run in ARCA for a season, and then run in Busch? I prefer the Scott Speed method. The fact is, as cool as it is to see guys I know from other series trying the stock cars, I just don't see how anyone who struggles to run 30th and then takes out half the field really belongs in Cup. Especially when they got sent to Cup with little to no experience. It's a money thing, I understand, but I'd much rather see someone so commited to stock car racing that they actually bother to pay their dues and learn the ropes.

But I still would rather DC not...

ShiftingGears

29th May 2008, 07:05

Because he's washed up.

He WAS fast. He WAS good.

As much as I know, the term "brain flatulence" was always associated with his IndyCar career.

But yes, if he has the pace he should be in IndyCar.

ShiftingGears

29th May 2008, 12:05

Speed will do slightly better than AJ would but not much.

I think he will do significantly better, because when (if) he gets to the cup he will have honed his skills significantly through the lower classes of stock car racing. Allmendinger has not, and it shows. Besides, experience aside, I think Speed is more talented anyway.

ShiftingGears

29th May 2008, 12:07

he should come to nascar
im sure the good old boys would welcome him

He won't.

mpj4582

3rd June 2008, 11:03

BenRoethig

3rd June 2008, 12:07

Hi all, new member here.
Just a thought, am I the only one thats a little confused as to why everyone seems to think a OW racer converting to NASCAR absolutely MUST start off in ARCA or CTS before working their way up. But I don't remember reading in the recent "Kyle Busch to test F1, race in future" rubbish that he should start in F3, then go GP2 before getting to F1

There are a few who tried to go straight to cup and none of them lasted very long. It much harder to drive a 1500kg stock car than a 600kg F1 car.

RaceFanStan

3rd June 2008, 13:21

Hi all, new member here.
Just a thought, am I the only one thats a little confused as to why everyone seems to think a OW racer converting to NASCAR absolutely MUST start off in ARCA or CTS before working their way up. But I don't remember reading in the recent "Kyle Busch to test F1, race in future" rubbish that he should start in F3, then go GP2 before getting to F1
Kyle Busch is only taking a "test drive" in a F1 car ...
the article DOESN'T say that Kyle Busch is going to F1 ... (only that he would like to ...)
F1 is trying to draw from NASCAR's popularity & it's dominantly American fanbase :!:

Kyle Busch ISN'T going to F1 :!:
(Kyle Busch's F1 "test drive" will eliminate the fantasy)

Andrewmcm

3rd June 2008, 13:31

There are a few who tried to go straight to cup and none of them lasted very long. It much harder to drive a 1500kg stock car than a 600kg F1 car.

I think a more appropriate way of phrasing that would be: "Driving a stock car and a F1 car are two widely different disciplines."

mpj4582

3rd June 2008, 14:15

I would agree wholeheatedly with that Andrewmcm. NASCAR is pretty much in its own little box as far as motorsport disciplines go. This is purely a personal opinion, but NASCAR is more a type of entertainment than a sport. I think in terms of attitudes towards motorsport, Europeans are much more purist than US. Can you imagine the fuss if they tried introducing a "Chase for the Cup" idea into F1? I think thats why drivers raised in Europe tend to aim for F1/touring cars/sports cars rather than stock cars. Although, if Franchitti or perhaps in the future, Wheldon where to make a go of it, it might become more of an option to them. An element of it as well is drivers finding the right discipline for them. Look at how many drivers have been outstanding on their way up, only to look very average (or worse!) once they reach the top echelon.

Lee Roy

3rd June 2008, 14:52

This is purely a personal opinion, but NASCAR is more a type of entertainment than a sport. I think in terms of attitudes towards motorsport, Europeans are much more purist than US. Can you imagine the fuss if they tried introducing a "Chase for the Cup" idea into F1? I think thats why drivers raised in Europe tend to aim for F1/touring cars/sports cars rather than stock cars. Although, if Franchitti or perhaps in the future, Wheldon where to make a go of it, it might become more of an option to them. An element of it as well is drivers finding the right discipline for them. Look at how many drivers have been outstanding on their way up, only to look very average (or worse!) once they reach the top echelon.

What a snob.

Rex Monaco

3rd June 2008, 15:17

There are a few who tried to go straight to cup and none of them lasted very long. It much harder to drive a 1500kg stock car than a 600kg F1 car.

Yeah, whatever happened to Tony Stewart anyway?

mpj4582

3rd June 2008, 15:28

What a snob.

Sorry, I think I may have missed something! What part of my comment was snobbish?! Please enlighten me

Haulin'AssAndTurnin Left

3rd June 2008, 15:42

Sorry, I think I may have missed something! What part of my comment was snobbish?! Please enlighten me

I wouldnt say snobbish, Just plain bull**** would be more accurate.

mpj4582

3rd June 2008, 15:56

LOL, seem to have inadvertantly hit on a bit of a nerve here!
I've taken a little more interest in NASCAR since Montoya made the move across but I just can't see past the endless cautions breaking up thw flow of a race. I'd much rather see a race won the the quickest driver/car combination than seeing a hard fought lead wiped out by a "debris" caution.
Didn't realise quite how much hostility there would be in here towards someone expressing an opinion.

BenRoethig

3rd June 2008, 16:00

Yeah, whatever happened to Tony Stewart anyway?

He raced the #44 Shell sponsored Busch car on the off weekends.

Haulin'AssAndTurnin Left

3rd June 2008, 16:32

debris cautions can be a pain in the arse but its a product of oval racing. You cant leave a piece a sheet metal out on the track. As well, dont look at a caution as a break in the racing, look at it as an opportunity for the drivers to work on and fix their cars, and as a time when a strategist can work his magic. Having guys take two right side tyres and other guys behind on four fresh tyres is interesting to watch. Same thing with fuel strategy, can you eek it out an extra couple of laps?, if you can you win the race if you cant you'll probably end up a couple of laps down.

generally week from week the quickest driver/car combination/with the best pit stops/communication/and ability to keep up with the track will win.

I dont get your comments about americans not being purist racers. Ive just never seen that myself.

mpj4582

3rd June 2008, 17:17

A debris caution for chunks of car on the track is completely understandable, but too often , the flags get thrown for debris the TV cameras seem unable to pick up, if you get my meaning!

Maybe I'm just wired differently but oval racing has just never had the same interest for me. Don't get me wrong, I'll still sit and watch anything with wheels racing and I consider the Daytona and Indianapolis in my "to do" list of races to see but I find the highlight videos on nascar.com tell me everything I need to know about a race.

I meant that American fans seem much more willing to accept just about any change to the sport in the name of entertainment, with the most extreme example so far being the chase. All but writing off over two thirds of a seasons worth of racing to ensure a closer finish in the championship just seems a step too far. What happens if someone still manages to run away with championship, even after the chase? Do they make it a one off end of season race for the top ten in the points, winner takes all?

Anyway, back to the original topic, I think any top driver in any top series around the world, given enough preparation time, could make it in anything. Jeff Gordon has proven it by lapping relatively quickly in the F1 Williams a few years back, Rossi was close to moving to F1 with Ferrari after some promising tests for Ferrari and countless F1 drivers becoming successful in other catergories. Schumacher has even had a little success on bikes!

Lee Roy

3rd June 2008, 18:49

I meant that American fans seem much more willing to accept just about any change to the sport in the name of entertainment, . . . .

Lawd Lawd. We poor ol' simple minded 'muricans sho nuff is glad you high falutin' sophisticates frum way over thur will lower youselves to mingle wiff us.

Haulin'AssAndTurnin Left

4th June 2008, 10:00

A debris caution for chunks of car on the track is completely understandable, but too often , the flags get thrown for debris the TV cameras seem unable to pick up, if you get my meaning!

NASCAR and the TV companies have been alot better at showing the debris this year since. The drivers started complaining about debris cautions. They should have been making the effort in the first place.

Maybe I'm just wired differently but oval racing has just never had the same interest for me. Don't get me wrong, I'll still sit and watch anything with wheels racing and I consider the Daytona and Indianapolis in my "to do" list of races to see but I find the highlight videos on nascar.com tell me everything I need to know about a race.

You really cant get a good view of a race from highlights on nascar.com. Ive watched races and then watched the hour long highlight shows on Channel 5. You miss massive chunks of the race and most of the stories from the pits. I like finding out during the race whos loose, whos tight etc and seeing what changes to the cars they are making during the pitstops.

The highlight shows just follow whos leading, the real story is how they got to the lead. Following someones progress from the back of the pack to the front is fun to watch, even if it isnt your driver thats doing it.

I meant that American fans seem much more willing to accept just about any change to the sport in the name of entertainment, with the most extreme example so far being the chase. All but writing off over two thirds of a seasons worth of racing to ensure a closer finish in the championship just seems a step too far. What happens if someone still manages to run away with championship, even after the chase? Do they make it a one off end of season race for the top ten in the points, winner takes all?

Generally the american fans dont like the chase either. NASCAR would like to think that the low ticket sales are down to the economical downturn, but i believe it has more to do with the chase format and grass roots fans being fed up with what many see (including me) as a watered down points system and NASCARs top people forgetting where and who put the sport where it is, with traditions being broken.

mpj4582

4th June 2008, 10:03

Lawd Lawd. We poor ol' simple minded 'muricans sho nuff is glad you high falutin' sophisticates frum way over thur will lower youselves to mingle wiff us.

I give up! You could very easily have taken that as a compliment, meaning that you were more open minded to change but instead you've chosen to take it as an insult. If this forums attitude to fans of other forms of motor sport is typical of NASCAR fans, I think I'll reconsider any planned trips to Daytona!

Lee Roy

4th June 2008, 10:43

ShiftingGears

4th June 2008, 11:37

You really cant get a good view of a race from highlights on nascar.com. Ive watched races and then watched the hour long highlight shows on Channel 5. You miss massive chunks of the race and most of the stories from the pits. I like finding out during the race whos loose, whos tight etc and seeing what changes to the cars they are making during the pitstops.

I agree. Highlights packages for any motorsport are awful, because there is not any tension building up to the "highlights" of the race. That definitely ruins the enjoyment for me.

Saabaru

4th June 2008, 16:15

I give up! You could very easily have taken that as a compliment, meaning that you were more open minded to change but instead you've chosen to take it as an insult. If this forums attitude to fans of other forms of motor sport is typical of NASCAR fans, I think I'll reconsider any planned trips to Daytona!

;) I wouldn’t worry about it, some people are just to one track minded to acknowledge that other formulas of racing are just as prestigious or require an equal skill set to nascar. I enjoy many types of racing including nascar, although my main focus is on Rally. When I first started reading your comments I was thinking what an intelligent point of view, but some people just don’t see the talent it takes to drive in other formulas. Usually their favorite argument is that in other racing its all about the technology in the car and the driver is basically just along for the ride. When someone starts talking like that you just have to shake you're head, have a little laugh, and walk away. One of the best articles that I have ever read was on taking drivers from different formulas of racing and testing them against each other.

mpj4582

4th June 2008, 17:04

Thanks for the support Saabaru, was beginning to wonder! Didn't realise that an opinion could be wrong! As I mentioned, I'll watch pretty much anything, from clubbie racing to F1 and have attented just about every form of motorsport there is, bar NASCAR and consider myself a motorsport fan, although if I had to choose, the BTCC is my first love. NASCAR, IN MY OPINION, seems to lean more towards entertainment than sport.

Saabaru

4th June 2008, 17:56

You know that would be an interesting special for the Speed Channel. Take the top five drivers in the US from NASCAR, IRL, Rally (RA and USRC), and Baja and have them all compete against each other in each form of racing.

Haulin'AssAndTurnin Left

5th June 2008, 09:25

mpj4582

5th June 2008, 10:30

I went to thr ROC last year. Great fun and no-one takes it seriously. Being racing drivers, once the visors are down they all want to win, but I don't think anyone is going to claim that Mattias Ekstrom is the greatest driver walking the planet at the moment!

Haulin'AssAndTurnin Left

6th June 2008, 09:49

true, i didnt go but watched some on TV. looked bloody cold. If they do it again ill go.

mpj4582

6th June 2008, 10:13

Was bloody freezing! New Wembley: Very nice, needs some heating! LOL

stereokarter

28th June 2008, 13:24

Woo Hoo! Patrick Carpentier on the Pole At New Hampshire !! A Canadian from Quebec. A First, to my knowledge that a Canadian has sat on a Cup pole.

This guy can flat out qualify, no doubt about it. Even without a rain delay he would have been in the top 10.

Honourable mention to Bobby Labonte, but a 'Northern Boy' did him out of what was looking like a pole for the Petty Organization (or whatever it is called now).

GO Paddy GO !!

RaceFanStan

28th June 2008, 17:47

It ISN'T where a driver starts that is important ...
it is where the driver FINISHES that counts :!:

IMO Patrick Carpentier will steadily progress to the back ... :s mokin:
Carpentier will go from the penthouse to the outhouse in only a few laps. http://www.motorsportforum.com/forums/images/icons/tongue-anim.gif

harvick#1

28th June 2008, 18:41

the way Harvicks car looks, I give his lead maybe 5 laps at most

courageous

28th June 2008, 22:44

NASCAR is pretty much in its own little box as far as motorsport disciplines go.

It's not so much the series, it is more about the driver - Some drivers are very versitile, but these days most of them specialise from an early age.

How many times have we seen somebody switch disipline & be very average (watch Villeneuve at Le Mans or Mansell in Touring Cars - both F1/Indy champions who got trounced by drivers who worked their way up from border line club racing).

DezinerPaul

5th July 2008, 06:19

Interesting comments from Juan, considering what he said about him during their shared F1 days.

His sentiments of F1 days are shared by many. JV was bad enough in F1, in NASCAR I can just hope that he gets run over. JV should stay in Canada!

DezinerPaul

5th July 2008, 06:23

The fact is that the great open wheelers can make it in NASCAR, Tony S is a perfect example/ So, if a newcomer to NASCAR does not make it, we will know that they were not that good to begin with!

e2mtt

16th July 2008, 03:55

One thing to remember... the team & crew chief make a huge difference.

There is no way an open-wheel driver with minimal Nascar experience could hope to be competitive in a team that is barely competitive with a Nascar veteran.

Examples:

Hornish has had some decent perfomances but sits in the bottom 3rd in points, while his 2 first-rate teammates sit mired midpack, despite a win each.

Montoya has actually out-performed his teammates, but usually runs mid-pack, just like Ganassi's Nascar team usually always has. His former teammate Franchitti wasn't so lucky, as Ganassi shut his team down due to lack of money... a pretty sure sign he never had a chance in the first place.

AJ Almendinger looked just as incompetant as the team he was driving for last year, but this year, they have hired experienced & skilled people and turned things around. Both AJ & Scott Speed have had good results this year, as they are being helped by people who know what they are doing.

Right now, Nascar is too competitive for ANYONE to shine much above the level of their team.

MD24

18th July 2008, 01:36

http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=243593&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_main

RaceFanStan

3rd September 2008, 02:47

One open-wheel champion has had enough of NASCAR ... :eek:
Dario Franchitti is returning to the IRL & saying good-bye to NASCAR in 2009. :s

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/09/02/dfranchitti.irl.return/index.html

Lee Roy

3rd September 2008, 03:02

I guess that Dario is slinking back to the shallow end of the pool with his tail between his legs.

Indychic317

6th September 2008, 04:33

Dario didn't have proper training to be in cup he should of been in Nationwide not everyone can be Juan Pablo Montoya :) Anyways I think he broke his ankle as well. He was feed to the sharks but he has been competitive in every series he's been in. If he would have done it right he would have been successful. But he was on the Chip Ganassi straight to cup plan. Who has been sucessful that way? Not Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordon they spent time in Busch series.

RaceFanStan

6th September 2008, 16:30

I guess that Dario is slinking back to the shallow end of the pool with his tail between his legs.
For the record, I like Dario Franchitti, I do feel he was promoted to Cup too quickly,
Dario Franchitti has nothing to be ashamed of, he was a pawn used by Chip Gana$$i,
Gana$$i thought he could cash-in on the IRL Champion's name & make some big money,
unfortunately the NASCAR sponsors weren't impressed with the 2007 IRL Champion Dario Franchitti. :s

Dario needed seat-time in a GOOD stockcar, say a RCR, Roush or Gibbs Nationwide stockcar,
with the proper experience I think Dario Franchitti could have been very competitve !

Chip Gana$$i's Cup cars are lacking & IMO Dario Franchitti didn't have a fair opportunity for success. http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/thum/1da.gif

I would have liked to seen Dario Franchitti land a GOOD Nationwide Series stockcar,
then after a year in the Nationwide Series moved back to Cup in a GOOD Cup Series stockcar.

Good Luck to you Dario Franchitti in any series you choose to race in,
& if the proper ride in NASCAR comes available, I hope you will return. http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/thum/yeah.gif

Vez

15th October 2008, 19:57

Thought I would put this here as Mika Salo was a former open wheel driver.

http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm#salo

Though it does say that he only wants to try a stock car to see what it is like and not committing himself to anything.

RaceFanStan

26th October 2008, 18:32

Max Papis to race in 18 Cup races in 2009 ...
Papis made 2 Cup starts this season, he finished 35th @ Infineon & 43rd @ Watkins Glen ...
Papis also made 7 Nationwide starts 2006 thru 2008 (1 top 5, 1 top 10) ...
his best finish was 3rd in 2007 @ Montreal.

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/10/25/mpapis.cup.races.2009/index.html

oldhippie

2nd November 2008, 15:44

i see paul tracy was in the texas truck race
he finished 20th 3 laps down

max papis was also in the texas truck race
he crashed on lap 17 and finished 29th in the garage

djhany

24th November 2008, 15:52

hehe Juan was lets say succesful, but Dario, Jacques ? im looking forward anyway, Mika Salo thats "challenge" :cool:

btw any news about Jacques Villeneuve, what is he going to do next season ? i read few times, he still wanted to go to NASCAR, lack of sponzors will affect more teams than this one most likely though

JasonD

24th November 2008, 18:31

Not much news coming from the JV camp, last was Barry Green (his old indycar boss) signed up with him to fins sponsors for next season but that news is months old now.

JV was doing well in the Montreal Nationwide race, that is until the rain.

He did a few races for SPEEDCAR this season but not much since then.

djhany

25th November 2008, 10:13

eh ok, so no news then ... who knows what will happen with JV ... speedcars and montreal, thats all on road courses right, it depends on sponzors, would be cool if he improves his oval skills as well hehe

JasonD

2nd December 2008, 13:49

JV signs up for another season of SPEEDCAR. (http://tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=258069&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_auto_racing)

************************************************

Villeneuve signs on for Speedcar duties

TSN.ca Staff
12/1/2008 3:52:34 PM

Jacques Villeneuve has signed on to compete in the Speedcar Series with the Italian-based Durango team.

The GP2 stalward has hired the former F1 World Champion to be one of its two drivers as it embarks on its inaugural season in the Dubai-based stock car series.

"2009 for Durango will be the 25th anniversary," said team manager Ivone Pinton. "It is an important achievement which we will start to celebrate having, for the first time, a Formula 1 world champion as official driver."

Durango will also field a second car for 22 year old Austrian driver Christopher Zoechling.

Villeneuve, who is attempting to break into the NASCAR Sprint Cup series full time, set the fastest lap during a recent test session last week at the Dubai Autodrome, edging out his eventual teammate by just 2-10ths of a second.

Villeneuve was among several former F1 stars who raced in the inaugural season of the series last year, which was won by Johnny Herbert. Jean Alesi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Pedro Lamy, Alex Yoong and Ukyo Katayama are some of the other F1 drivers who have competed in the series.

The Speedcar Series features drivers competing in identical V8 stock cars producing 620 horsepower, primarily racing in the Middle East and Asia. Season two is set to get underway December 5th and 6th in Dubai.

Mark in Oshawa

18th January 2009, 23:29

I think Jacques has dropped NASCAR as an option. Sad..no Canadian companies ever seem to step up and support Canadian drivers for any meaningful rides....

wbcobrar

7th March 2009, 03:59

Early in the 09' season but Dinger and JPM in less than top equipment are doing great ... and no road courses yeat..

Mark in Oshawa

18th March 2009, 02:53

Early in the 09' season but Dinger and JPM in less than top equipment are doing great ... and no road courses yeat..

I agree on both. JPM is doing better in a Chevy this year and Dinger has just been outstanding when you consider the old Dodge motor has a slight disadvantage over the competition.

Lee Roy

24th March 2009, 00:15

Early in the 09' season but Dinger and JPM in less than top equipment are doing great ... and no road courses yeat..

Glad to see that at least some Indy-Car type drivers have the talent to make it in the big leagues.

Of course, JPM has made it at the highest level of auto-racing - formula one.

tstran17_88

29th March 2009, 16:01

It's still early, but I figured Speed would be running away with the ROTY. Logano looks lost out there.

woody2goody

12th April 2009, 12:32

It's strange that, because I expected Joey to be much better, sadly.

Scotty Speed is doing well mind you.

About a year ago, I made a post referring to this situation with OW drivers, and I just read it back and it sounded awful lol, arrogant, scathing and ignorant.

Any more prospective recruits from open wheel series'?

PA Rick

31st July 2009, 22:58

I'm wondering why this thread has a stickey? There have been no posts for almost four months.

call_me_andrew

31st July 2009, 23:40

Because Stan doesn't like it when we start a thread for every ex-OW driver.

Mark in Oshawa

17th August 2009, 01:43

Because Stan doesn't like it when we start a thread for every ex-OW driver.

Well by putting up there in the sticky's we tend to ignore it. I think Stan wishes sometimes the OW guys would just go away.....

race aficionado

8th September 2009, 03:45

Yep,
and how about that open wheel driver named Montoya.
:)

. . . couldn't resist . . . .
:s mokin:

race aficionado

13th September 2009, 04:53

And my favorite open wheel driver is in the chase.

It took him three years and with a Ganassi ride.

Now we'll see some crazy racing after all that chase point races.

Thanks Juan!!!!
:s mokin:

Roamy

29th September 2009, 04:53

it would be interesting to read juan"s take on the difference of the two sides of racing.

race aficionado

5th October 2009, 15:53

it would be interesting to read juan"s take on the difference of the two sides of racing.

I love the fact that he can bump and grind his speeding car to the front and have no carbon fiber fly all over the place as he bumps someone here and there to get them out of your way . . . .

No wonder some call him the Monster - he's totally possessed and takes no prisoners - but he's also learned when to lay back - the races are long and a yellow flag will eventually appear.

I'm totally into the Nascar circus right now and Juan is having a ball.
:s mokin:

Steve2009

5th October 2009, 16:06

I love the fact that he can bump and grind his speeding car to the front and have no carbon fiber fly all over the place as he bumps someone here and there to get them out of your way . . . .

No wonder some call him the Monster - he's totally possessed and takes no prisoners - but he's also learned when to lay back - the races are long and a yellow flag will eventually appear.

I'm totally into the Nascar circus right now and Juan is having a ball.
:s mokin:
Yea Babe! JPM is gonna turn NASCAR on it's ear! :s mokin: