Post by dalejrfan on Jun 19, 2005 14:27:22 GMT -5
BROOKLYN, Mich.- - So-called "Buschwhackers," Nextel Cup Series drivers with well-funded part-time Busch Series programs, have long been a thorn in the side of non-Nextel Cup-affiliated Busch Series teams for some time.
Jim Hunter
NASCAR wants to fix that.
The sanctioning body said Sunday it hopes to produce a plan by the end of the 2005 season to redistribute Busch Series prize money to better compensate full-time, non-Nextel Cup-affiliated Busch Series drivers and teams.
"Where we get into some problems is the Busch teams, the regular teams, are underfunded when compared to the Nextel Cup teams," said NASCAR vice president of communications Jim Hunter.
"We're looking at ways to distribute that prize money where a majority of the prize money goes to the Busch regulars, and establishing some criteria that separates a regular Cup driver from a regular Busch driver."
Hunter said NASCAR is uncertain at this time what those criteria are, but the sanctioning body does have an official, working under direction from NASCAR president Mike Helton, dedicated to making that determination.
"Steve O'Donnell has been working on a plan for about three months, so I think we'll come up with something that makes sense before the end of this year, for next year," Hunter said.
The major issue is determining who should benefit and who shouldn't be considered for added compensation.
Teams such as Richard Childress Racing's No. 21 team are full-time Busch Series teams, but use Nextel Cup drivers Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton to drive it, along with development driver Brandon Miller.
"That is a catch-22," Hunter admitted.
One thing is certain: NASCAR has no intention of disallowing Nextel Cup drivers from competing in Busch Series events.
"The reason for that is that in any sport, you can only have one set of stars, and the Nextel Cup is our stars," Hunter said. "To have them competing against the Busch drivers does two things: No 1. it gives you great appeal at the box office and No. 2, it makes your Busch regulars better racers."
Jim Hunter
NASCAR wants to fix that.
The sanctioning body said Sunday it hopes to produce a plan by the end of the 2005 season to redistribute Busch Series prize money to better compensate full-time, non-Nextel Cup-affiliated Busch Series drivers and teams.
"Where we get into some problems is the Busch teams, the regular teams, are underfunded when compared to the Nextel Cup teams," said NASCAR vice president of communications Jim Hunter.
"We're looking at ways to distribute that prize money where a majority of the prize money goes to the Busch regulars, and establishing some criteria that separates a regular Cup driver from a regular Busch driver."
Hunter said NASCAR is uncertain at this time what those criteria are, but the sanctioning body does have an official, working under direction from NASCAR president Mike Helton, dedicated to making that determination.
"Steve O'Donnell has been working on a plan for about three months, so I think we'll come up with something that makes sense before the end of this year, for next year," Hunter said.
The major issue is determining who should benefit and who shouldn't be considered for added compensation.
Teams such as Richard Childress Racing's No. 21 team are full-time Busch Series teams, but use Nextel Cup drivers Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton to drive it, along with development driver Brandon Miller.
"That is a catch-22," Hunter admitted.
One thing is certain: NASCAR has no intention of disallowing Nextel Cup drivers from competing in Busch Series events.
"The reason for that is that in any sport, you can only have one set of stars, and the Nextel Cup is our stars," Hunter said. "To have them competing against the Busch drivers does two things: No 1. it gives you great appeal at the box office and No. 2, it makes your Busch regulars better racers."