tool name
closeIowa race spot on Nationwide schedule should pay dividends
INSIDE THE NATIONWIDE SERIES
JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008
A look inside NASCAR's second-tier touring outfit, the Nationwide Series, with some opinions, observations and more:
Elevator
UP - Carl Edwards
Look out Clint Bowyer, this guy is full steam ahead.
UP - Landon Cassill
He's taken the lead in the series rookie of the year standings.
DOWN – David Ragan
His performance on the Cup side has been much more to his liking.
3 to Watch
CARL EDWARDS: Three wins in his last nine starts. Edwards is gaining ground quickly in the championship race.
CLINT BOWYER: His only win of the season came at Bristol in the spring. He desperately needs another to get back on track to his first championship.
CALE GALE: Kevin Harvick said it was "too hot" for him to run, so he turned his No. 33 Chevrolet over to his development driver.
Observations
Good move by NASCAR in awarding a Nationwide Series race to Iowa Speedway next season. The Midwest remains a hotbed of racing and in times of economic downtown it's always good to keep core fans energized.
The NASCAR weekend is such a success at Kansas, the track wants to eventually add a second date. I predict the fans in Iowa will feel much the same once they get a taste of NASCAR's big leagues.
I think some fans lose sight of the purpose of NASCAR penalties. Just because a driver isn't directly involved in some rule violation doesn't mean the driver shouldn't remain part of the punishment.
The reason for punishment is to deter bad behavior. It seems to me if drivers as well as crew chiefs and crew members all were liable for the price of a rule violation, there is much less incentive for the violation to occur in the first place.
This week’s race
Food City 250
Where: Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
When: 8 p.m. Friday.
TV: ESPN2.
Last year's winner: Kasey Kahne.
Top 10 in points
1. Clint Bowyer, 3,582; 2. Carl Edwards, 3,469; 3. Brad Keselowski, 3,450; 4. Mike Bliss, 3,223; 5. David Reutimann, 3,219; 6. David Ragan, 3,202; 7. Kyle Busch, 3,003; 8. Mike Wallace, 2,963; 9. Jason Leffler, 2,926; 10. Marcos Ambrose, 2,903.