The View from Here: The Business of NASCAR

Did anyone see Smoke beat up on his rivals last week?

Didn’t think so given all the hullabaloo about Junior. (For the record, Smoke DIDN’T beat up anyone last week.)

So now the waiting game begins — where, oh where, will Junior end up next year? Even the souvenir makers are asking that he make a quick decision so that they can begin manufacturing the new merchandise! So much for racing.

Still, there are a great many fans of Junior who would like to see him end up driving for RCR, given that’s where Dale Senior ended his career. Some even would want Junior to drive the No. 3 COT next year. Personally, I think those are two bad choices for Junior.

Why, you ask?

First, just driving for RCR would put immense pressure on Junior because his father drove for RCR. Second, what (lord forbid) if Junior didn’t win a NEXTEL title driving the No. 3 for RCR? Calamity would certainly ensue because Junior is seen as capable of winning a title if he’s with the right owner. I think it would be unfair to Junior to put him in such a position.

Given his other choices (and the current status of several owners of Chevy teams), my opinion is that Junior should go it on his own. He already has the offer from Rick Hendrick to assist with engines. He certainly has the financial backing as well as name recognition to bring on additional sponsors (and perhaps financial partners). The only major problem is that single car teams simply have a tough row to hoe, and he would not be any different. Tough decision making time for Junior.

Best of luck!

Jon