Sim Racing Design

Just read this on Jayski:

Quote:

Allmendinger out of #84....soon? to the #41? UPDATE 2: Could AJ Allmendinger be just days away from completing a deal to drive the #41 Target-sponsored car for Chip Ganassi? And did Allmendinger drive his final race in the #84 Toyota? (Yahoo Sports), hearing Allmendinger could well be out of the #84 ride after Dover with Mike Skinner running the car at Kansas and Scott Speed running some races in the car the rest of the season.(9-22-2008) UPDATE: A.J. Allmendinger got the word Wednesday that he will not be back at Red Bull Racing's NASCAR [#84] team next year. He'll be replaced, no doubt, by Scott Speed.(Toronto Star)(9-22-2008) UPDATE 2: Mike Skinner reportedly will test A.J. Allmendinger's #84 Toyota Camry in this week's two-day open test at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte, N.C. Officially, Allmendinger is still in the car for this weekend's Kansas City race, but that's very tenuous and likely to change. Skinner drove Allmendinger's car five times last spring as Team Red Bull called on his years of stock car experience to evaluate the #84. If Skinner replaces Allmendinger this weekend--or at Talladega or Charlotte next month--it will open the door for former Formula One driver Scott Speed to run in Sprint Cup. (He can run up to six races this fall and remain eligible for a 2009 Rookie of the Year effort with Team Red Bull). The shuffling is contingent on Team Red Bull working with Ganassi-Sabates Racing to get Allmendinger into the #41 Dodge currently driven by Reed Sorenson. Team Red Bull expects to confirm this weekend's driver lineup later on Monday or Tuesday.(Autoweek)(9-22-2008)

I think this is a perfect example of what happens when teams bring inexperienced drivers into the Sprint Cup Series and then expect results too quickly. I believe that any driver, whether they're coming from an open wheel series or not, ought to have a minimum of three years of experience in both the trucks and in the Nationwide series before joining the Cup series.

As far as AJ going to the #41 is concerned, I'm not sure that would be a smart move either. I believe the problem at CGRFS has to do with the equipment they're using, not the driver. Perhaps they should consider switching to either Chevrolet, Ford, or Toyota.

Comments?

James

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Before you open your mouth to say something stupid, shut up first.

If there was a motion for a minimum of time spent either in NASCAR's Nationwide or Truck Series, moreso than there is now (there is a certain amount of experience NASCAR deems necessary before granting entry into Cup series, i.e. running ARCA at Tally), I would totally 2nd it. This is getting ridiculous, and tragic for the young drivers.

Joey Logano's going to be driving in the Cup series full time as an 18-19 year old. Where's he going to be when he's my age, especially if he doesn't come out like gangbusters? His whole racing career will be basically flat, and all the education he's missing out on will have been for nothing. That's a terrible thing for someone that age to experience.

NASCAR needs minimums NOW. Minimum 50 races entered in Nationwide and/or Truck Series, and the minimum age of 21 for entry into Cup Series. That will take a huge amount of the risk out of the game, but not all, which is good for everyone involved, most noteably the young driver.

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That being said, Allmendinger's situation is surprising seeing as he spent a few seasons in CART/IRL before going Cup. But is it really surprising? Allmendinger entered, what, 5 races in the Truck series before going Cup? If Days of Thunder didn't make it clear, it should be pretty clear after seeing what Montoya, Allmendiner, Carpentier, Villenuve, and others have all gone through. Indycar experience basically matters not when it comes to racing in NASCAR. NASCAR's race cars are too heavy with tires too small for anything to really translate over.

Best thing for A.J. Allmendinger to do IMO is to get with a full time Truck/Nationwide team for at least a full season. I'm sure a Cup team can find a sponsor and run him full time as has happened with a few drivers before. Allmendinger needs more experience and more success before trying Cup again.

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"I think Davey had a way about him that made people feel special when he spoke with them. When he was around them he had just a rare quality that was truly a star quality. I think people were drawn to him because of that. It has really lasted all of these years. He was a great guy." -- Liz Allison

"What kind of man would live in a world where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." -- Charles Lindberg

update:

Mayfield in the #41 for Lowe's Test: UPDATE: Jeremy Mayfield will test the #41 Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge today and tomorrow at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but Reed Sorenson is still slated to race this weekend at Kansas Speedway, a Ganassi spokesman confirmed. Sorenson is leaving the team at the end of the season to go to Gillett Evernham Motorsports. There will be three Ganassi cars at the test, with Juan Pablo Montoya, Bryan Clauson and Mayfield.(SceneDaily.com)(9-23-2008)
UPDATE: Reed Sorenson said he expects to drive the #41 Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge for the rest of the season despite being replaced by Jeremy Mayfield for the Sprint Cup Series test Tuesday and Wednesday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Sorenson wasn’t happy about being pulled for the test but understood the team’s decision since he is leaving for Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season. Sorenson said he did not ask if he could test for GEM this weekend because he is still under contract with Ganassi.(SceneDaily.com)(9-23-2008) Comment here

I'm betting Jeremy will get the #41, I think its obvious CGRFS needs a guy like him with his experience and skills, although their cars are not that great.

I also agree with DaveyFan28, I think Almendidnger has to go to truvks/Nationwide, every human being is different, that's why some have to struggle a little bit more than others.
What they wanted to do with the open wheel guys was to get something like Tony Stewart. I'm a Montoya fan but looking objectively I think he's closer to Stewart on that transition feat in terms of abilities just needs a better car.
I also think Carpentier and Hornish Jr. are worth NASCAR, same to Ambrose who is doing things in the proper order.

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Manuel

I think this is a bettter example of how sponsors are running the show these days. Sponsors want the next hot driver. So they go out and pick up on these young guys. If things don't work out quickly they are out the door and the next guy is in. It's more about a drivers marketing skills than his driving skills.

This can swing the otherway as well. There is really no on track reason Michael Waltrip should still be racing, but NAPA likes him becuase he is a good, personable spoksman.

And Michael Waltrip loves to race. That does count for something.

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"I think Davey had a way about him that made people feel special when he spoke with them. When he was around them he had just a rare quality that was truly a star quality. I think people were drawn to him because of that. It has really lasted all of these years. He was a great guy." -- Liz Allison

"What kind of man would live in a world where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." -- Charles Lindberg

That's why he started his own team. Can't fire the boss. lol