After 25 years of being identified as the Busch Series, NASCAR's secondary series will be ushered into a new era starting in 2008.
Nationwide will assume the role as the series’ sponsor.
Over the years, the Busch, now Nationwide, Series has been the appetizer for the Sprint Cup race. It also became a place for young drivers to hone their skills, as well as a place for veterans to prove that they still belong. However, more recently, it has become a place for Sprint Cup regulars to, for lack of a better term, show off. Drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, and Carl Edwards have utilized their Sprint Cup-backed resources meshed with their sharpened skills and have absolutely dominated the series this decade.
In 2006, Kevin Harvick won 9 races en route to his second series championship by 824 points over fellow Busch-whacker Carl Edwards. Edwards returned to the series full-time in 2007, and would go on to win the final Busch Series championship by 618 points over fellow Cup regular David Reutimann.
In 2008, Edwards and David Reutimann will both return to the Nationwide series as full-time competitors. Richard Childress Racing driver Clint Bowyer will also join Edwards and Reutimann in double duty action. Edwards’ Roush Fenway Racing teammate David Ragan will pull double duty as well. Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton, Greg Biffle, and a host of others will compete in most of the companion events.
Johnny Sauter, Jason Leffler, and Bobby Hamilton, Jr will be among the leading Nationwide Series regulars that are not affiliated with powerhouse Sprint Cup programs.
One more thought… Why is Clint Bowyer running the full Natiowide Series schedule, and Scott Wimmer is scheduled to compete in 23 of the 35 races? Should it not be the other way around? Wimmer was instrumental in helping Richard Childress Racing’s #29 team to the Busch Series owner’s championship.
Oh, wait…Another thought… What will they call Busch-whacking now that it is the Busch Series no more? Nationwide-whacking just does not have the same ring to it.
Projected Top Five
1. 2-Clint Bowyer, BB&T Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing
Crew Chief- Dan Deeringhoff
The Nationwide Series title will likely become a showdown between Midwesterners Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards. Bowyer will admit that he feels as if he has unfinished business in the Nationwide Series. He came oh so close to winning the title in 2005, but fell 68 point shy. In 2006, Bowyer finished third in the final championship standings, but he was distant 965 points behind his teammate Harvick. The 2008 Nationwide season presents Bowyer with possibly his best opportunity yet to clinch his first title. He is arguably the only driver with the talent and resources combined to upstage defending champion Edwards. The worst-case scenario for Bowyer is if Harvick suddenly decided to run the full Nationwide Series schedule.
2. 60-Carl Edwards, Aflac/Scotts/Citifinancial Ford, Roush Fenway Racing
Crew Chief- Pierre Kuettel
The road to the Nationwide Series title may not be as effortless as it appeared last year considering that Clint Bowyer is now in the mix. Edwards is hoping to become the first driver to win back-to-back championships since Martin Truex Jr in 2004 and 2005. Most of the key components of the 2007 championship team returns in 2008, so Edwards is the clear cut favorite to repeat. Nevertheless, this team really hobbled throughout the last three-fourths of the season. That is something that cannot be duplicated with Bowyer running the full schedule.
3. 99-David Reutimann, Aaron’s Toyota, Michael Waltrip Racing
Crew Chief- Jerry Baxter
While most analysts project a Clint Bowyer/Carl Edwards championship duel, David Reutimann could be the Wild Card. If you go by the fact that Reutimann outscored Edwards by 112 points in the final ten races of the Busch Series season, he could be deemed a legitimate threat to Bowyer and Edwards. And following his victory at Memphis last fall, Reutimann is as confident as ever. It is plausible to believe that he can post multiple wins in 2008; however, I still believe that his Michael Waltrip Racing team will be just a step or two behind the teams of Bowyer and Edwards. But the gap is not as spacious as it was a year ago.
4. 6-David Ragan, Discount Tire Ford, Roush Fenway Racing
Crew Chief- Mike Kelley
David Ragan displayed tons of progress in his rookie season in both the Busch Series and Cup Series. The added seat time appeared to be beneficial, which could be why Jack Roush decided to allow Ragan another full season of double duty. As the season progresses, expect to see Ragan improve and possibly capture his first win in the Nationwide Series. As far as chasing the championship, Ragan would need a miracle, or for the three above-mentioned drivers to decide that a full Nationwide Series is too much. Even then, Ragan would have trouble fending off the next guy on the list.
5. 38-Jason Leffler, GreatClips Toyota, Braun Racing
Crew Chief- Stewart Cooper
Jason Leffler was arguably the best non-Cup regular last season after finishing third in the final championship standings. Leffler and his team accomplished just about everything a team without a Sprint Cup association could in 2007. They won a race, two poles, and were consistent front-runners, especially on the short tracks. It would be difficult to expect this team to really contend for the Nationwide Series title; nonetheless, they are the most solid ‘real’ Nationwide Series team in the garage.
Others Nationwide Series regulars to watch out for- Johnny Sauter, Bobby Hamilton, Jr, Mike Wallace, Marcos Ambrose, Brad Coleman, and Brad Keselowski
Rookie of the Year- Landon Cassill, Hendrick Motorsports
The Rookie of the Year battle should come down to Joe Gibbs Racing driver Joey Logano and Hendrick Motorsports driver Landon Cassill. Cassill started six races in 2007, with his best finish being an 18th place at Dover. Neither driver will run the full schedule, but they will be eligible for the Rookie of the Year honors as long as they start more than seven races. Rusty Wallace, Inc. driver Chase Austin will also contend for the Rookie of the Year honors.
