Sources are telling Speed that the series that will cease to be known as Busch after this season is planning a major change as early as 2009--a switch to Pony cars:
If plans go according to schedule, the next-generation Busch Series cars will be Chevrolet Camaros, Dodge Challengers, Ford Mustangs and an as-yet-to-be named Toyota model, sources said. Ford overhauled the Mustang as a 1960s-retro model in 2005, to positive critical and commercial results. Chevrolet and Dodge will release similarly retro-themed Camaros and Challengers, respectively, by the 2009 model year.The Mustang, Camaro and Challenger all are two-door coupes with rear-wheel drive and available V-8 engines, a hugely popular combination in the halcyon days of 1960s muscle cars.I imagine the difficulty NASCAR has had in securing sponsorship for the series has inspired them to shake things up. Short of limiting/excluding
'Course, they might want to do something about the runaway point lead phenomena, too.
Hard to say what not running a "Cup-lite" might do for Buschwhacking. Running another type of race car might inspire even more Cup drivers to compete or it might eliminate some benefit to Cup racing. Would either be a bad thing?
Whether this has been inspired by difficulty securing sponsorship or a desire to improve competition, I don't care. Personally, I think it's inspired by the 2009 retro Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challengers. I know I am, although I'm partial to the Camaros. The sneak peak sent me on a walk down memory lane to my 14-year-old lead foot and my first 160mph leisure drive on two-lane blacktop in Iowa. I don't remember his name any more, but I'll never forget the ride he was brave enough to let me get behind the wheel of--a '67 Camaro SS 396 in Hugger Orange.
Whatever the inspiration, the switch to muscle cars would be a great way to give the Busch--or whatever it will be called--Series its own identity. Even better if the cars have different body styles.
Bring it on!
h/t Full Throttle
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Great idea if it works. I don't think Nascar has a problem with sponsorship for The Busch series. It's simply their way of getting with the auto makers to help push the new generation of muscle cars. What better exposure can you ask for, than to have them racing on the track every week. Bottom line, it's a good deal for both parties, and it might just bring some life back into the lower tier of big time racing. The buschwhackers have just about killed the interest in the Busch series as well as defeating the purpose it was designed for. Only problem might be, will the pony car drivers still be able to move up and do well with the big boys. Two different size cars with two different styles of driving required, might make the transition a bit more difficult.
Posted at 2:11AM on Sep 16th 2007 by Don Emerson
2. I hope they do work it out to make it happen! I think it would really step up the Busch series image and take it in a much better direction. I know Chevy would use the Camaro and Ford would use the Mustang, but at first i thought Dodge would keep the Charger, but apparently it would be the Challenger, but that'd be better option anyways. The only car i think Toyota has that would fit in that would be the Toyota Solaria which is their two door version of the Camry.
Posted at 12:26PM on Sep 16th 2007 by CJ
3. WOW... I THINK IT'S AN OPTIMAL IDEA AND THOSE CARS LOOK SPORTIER THAN CURRENT BUSCH MOBILES.HOWEVER THE BUSCH SERIES SHOULD RETURN TO IT'S ORIGINAL PURPOSE,AS A PRECOURSE TO THE BIG LEAGUE.
AND IF THE NEW VERSION DOES NOT ATTRACT ENOUGH SPECTATORS, THAN CONSIDER ALLOWING ONLY 5 TO 8 CUP DRIVERS TO IT IN A NEW ATTEMPT TO INCREASE VIEWERS.
ASSUMING IT MAY WORK THAN.
Posted at 3:31AM on Sep 17th 2007 by annaseitter