The View from Here: The Business of NASCAR

In Monday’s NASCAR.com headlines, it was announced that Bill Davis (of Bill Davis Racing--#22 Dave Blaney and #36 Jeremy Mayfield) is interested in selling part or all of his race team. Seems that even with the success of Blaney in his Toyota, Davis is having a difficult time competing against the likes of Hendrick, Childress, Roush/Fenway, DEI, and Gillette/Evernham. As they say, “money talks, nobody walks” but it looks inevitable that Davis will walk.
Now reintroduce the “35” rule — top 35 drivers in points are guaranteed a spot in that week’s race, leaving the small guys somewhat hanging out to dry. It is becoming increasing clear that the small one- and two-car teams will be history unless something changes. NASCAR mandated a limit of four teams for an individual owner because of Roush’s success with his five-car set-up a couple of years ago.
Maybe it’s time for NASCAR to visit the issue that plagues open wheel racing—the limited number of teams, which results in boring racing. How about it, NASCAR? Won’t you come to the rescue for the small guys and reinvigorated racing?
Probably not!
Jon