This week’s hot-button topic is on the youth movement in the Cup Series.
Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are winless at the halfway point of the season, yet young guys like Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahne each have multiple wins.
Have the days of 30-something drivers laying waste to the Cup Series — and winning championships — given way to upstarts with heavy right feet and even heavier wallets?
Read both sides of the argument and then weigh in with your take.
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Is it OK for rookies to make their debut so late in the season?
Should NASCAR focus on hosting a race at an international site?
Should the Brickyard 400 be as prestigious as it is perceived to be?
Does Mark Martin still have what it takes to challenge for a championship?
Should the driver or the car be credited for Joey Logano’s quick success?
Did Bobby Labonte make the right decision to re-sign with Petty Enterprises?
Should the number of drivers in the All-Star Race be trimmed?
Which manufacturer will have more wins in ‘08, Chevrolet or Ford?
Should Carl Edwards’ penalty have fallen in line with others involving the new car?
For Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch, for one night at least, it was like old times. Better times.
Despite Jimmie Johnson's fast start to the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Jeff Burton hasn't been will...
Once Carl Edwards lost a lap after getting caught on pit road during a caution, he radioed his te...
From NASCAR's standpoint, the feud between Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick is over.
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2.0.5.4/467 Tue Sep 9 21:52:50 UTC 2008
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(you must be a member of this group to comment)Kphillips091
Jun 27 2008 10:05
I can't really say Yes or No....
There are so many factors that I think its impossible to choose either side. Think of this, the COT is new to the sport and many of the veteran driver’s are still struggling to familiarize themselves with this new car. Who’s to say that they won’t get used to it sooner rather than later and then the Veterans will start to outshine the young guns? Yes, the young guns have taken quite nicely to this car but it’s only a matter of time before the older drivers of NASCAR get the hang of it too. Only then will we be able to tell who’s heating up and who’s cooling down. Many of the young guns that are winning races today will be the veterans of tomorrow and there will be other young guns, but I do not think those young guns will hit the ground running quite as much as todays young guns have. Then younger drivers have an advantage…..a new car….at least for the moment. If these younger guys take over this year, and then the next, I might agree that the torch has already been passed on, but until then I am torn. I’ve seen to many veteran drivers run extremely well, but then fall to some untimely misfortune. Who’s to say that thier lick won’t turn around come Chase time, when it matters the most? No, do not count the Veterans out just yet….Jeff, Jimmy, Tony and so many more still have what it takes to get another championship title. I think it is much to soon to tell who carries that torch now.
RobLaidBack
Jun 27 2008 08:40
The Torch may have already been passed.
The torch indeed hasn’t been passed, at least not yet, but if you remember Jeff Gordon won 4 titles by the age of 30, so maybe the torch was passed a lot further back than you think.
madhatter196
Jun 26 2008 20:52
All hail the New Kids on the Block
Sorry, but the torch has indeed been passed. You can cast your opinions all you want, but the numbers don’t lie. Like it or hate it, the CoT has ushered in a completely new style of racing. So new in fact that if you can’t “get up to speed” with the changes then the only headlines you’ll continue to get are the, “still winless.”
There are a number of reasons as to why the younger kids seems to be gravitating towards the changes more easily. Obviously, these will remain speculation indefinately. But race after race, win after win, it appears that the rookies have corned Victory Lane.
Kyle Busch is probably the best example. Not only is he arugably one of the better CoT drivers, but he brings to the sport a new attitude. One that leaves veteran fans with a bitter taste in their mouth.
This is not a friendly game of lawn darts, it’s a battle to the finish. The days of chivalry and honor are not gone…but they are not winning either. The young guns of today are aggressive, arrogant, risk-takers, and fearless. These attributes could more readlily be chastised if the people that are in possesion of these qualities were losing races. But they’re not, they’re winning. Over and over.
Now, we can argue on the class, integrity, and honor of the sport all we want. But one undeniable truth in all of this is it’s making it a bit more enjoyable to watch. Even if you loathe seeing these kids win and place high every week, you still find yourself glued to the race.
Go get ‘em #18! Stir it up!
CEFan6099
Jun 26 2008 19:50
I dont really know if
the torch has been passed..but what I do see is the youngin’s are adapting to the new car and how it drives a little better than some.
flsh54
Jun 26 2008 17:29
It's the team
Its not who’s behind the wheel or sits on the pit box, its the team! Being young or old has nothing to do with it,its who’s backing him up back at the shop and changing his tires on race day. All the spokes in the wheel have to support their weight or you won’t be there at the end. Its never been just the drivers!
sondogg
Jun 26 2008 16:03
The Young Guns
may have stolen the torch…but they will get burned by the end of the chase!...I have the agree with Duane. All due respect to the “youngins”..but I think think experiance speaks volumes! Thats my story..and i’m stickin’ to it!