NASCAR's appetizer series, now called Busch Series, will be called the Nationwide Series starting in 2008.
However, that may not be the only modification that the series will undergo.
Throughout the decade, more and more Nextel (Sprint) Cup drivers have been appearing in Busch Series races. Not only are they just appearing, but they have utterly dominated the series over the past few years. It really became apparent when Ryan Newman won six races in nine attempts in 2005, and when Kevin Harvick won nine races and won the Busch Series title by 824 points over fellow Nextel Cup driver Carl Edwards in 2006.
This season, Nextel Cup regulars have accounted for 29 wins in the 32 races ran. And Nextel Cup regular Carl Edwards owns a 531 points lead over fellow Cup regular David Reutimann with only three races remaining.
The Busch-whacking trend has brought about mixed reactions from the fans. Some fans feel it is unfair that Cup regulars are winning these races with such a monumental advantage when it comes to their equipment and resources. Clearly, Jason Keller and CJM Racing do not stand a chance against Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress Racing. But there was a time when teams such as ppc Racing, Team Rensi, and Brewco Motorsports stood a chance. Also, many fans feel as if the Busch, soon to be Nationwide Series should be a place for up and coming drivers to develop.
Conversely, many fans and sponsors enjoy watching the stars compete. Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kevin Harvick are obviously going to go draw more attention than Stephen Leicht and Brad Coleman.
The series is currently considering a plan in which Sprint Cup regulars inside the top 35 in the Sprint Cup standings would be prohibited from scoring championship points and altering the Nationwide Series championship race. This plan would begin in 2009.
It will likely discourage some Cup teams from participating in these events, but not all. Drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, and Matt Kenseth simply enjoy racing in that series, and they appreciate the extra seat time. Drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr, Ryan Newman, and Jimmie Johnson, who are drivers that typically only run five or six races a year, may be the ones who solely focus on their Sprint Cup programs.
This would be beneficial only if Sprint Cup regulars did not run a full schedule. Otherwise, the champion would have an asterisk beside his name. And if Sprint Cup regulars ran half the schedule, they would still win the majority of the races. That would still be an unsolved problem.
In addition to the possible championship points alteration, the series is mulling over a new body-style for the cars. Instead of the sedan-style cars that the Sprint Cup series showcases, the Nationwide Series would feature pony cars; instead of the Chevrolet Impala, it would be the Chevrolet Camaro. Instead of the Dodge Avenger, it would be the Dodge Challenger. Instead of the Ford Fusion, it would be the Ford Mustang. Instead of the Toyota Camry, it would be the Toyota Solara.
This would clearly separate the two series and give the Nationwide Series a distinct identity, which is a good thing.
With these two possible amendments, the series appears to be headed in the right direction.
