Are some drivers like Michael McDowell getting screwed over

Question

Scott Speed, Michael Annett, Michael McDowell, Brad Coleman, Josh Wise, among others that are either struggling or probably will struggle when they come to Cup, I believe are getting screwed over. They are only struggling because the team moved them up to the Cup Series too soon.

First of all, if they have already seen several times a story like JJ Yeley, why do they keep doing this knowing that it hasn't worked? Secondly, who makes the decision? The team or the driver?

Answer 1

who!???!

Answer 2

Put yourself in their shoes. If you were an aspiring driver and someone wanted you to race in the Cup series pay you the most money you have ever made in your life and make you merchandising cash cow...wouldn't you do it? I agree with "Rowdy" and say I sure would. It's definitely worth the risk. Heck being when you're 80 yrs old you could still brag "I raced in the Daytona 500, I finished 43rd BUT I was in the field". Secondly I think it's the team owners who make those decisions, remember when JGR wanted Hamlin in the #11 he kept saying he wasn't ready and didn't want to go. Well they made him go anyways. But He landed on his feet, it can go either way based on your talent. But I think it would be a hard decision to make.

Answer 3

i agree with rowdy on scott speed --the rest i dont think you know enough about it to speak of!!!

Answer 4

there always looking for a fresh face to sell merchandise and help with sponsors  its 100 percent the  owners fault

the driver cant say i am moving up in series weather you like it or not

then they get dumped if they don't perform up to the owners expectations

Answer 5

Ehh they'll probably make more money in cup so they probably won't care much.

Answer 6

I understand what you're saying, but the drivers are probably willing to move up.  Race car drivers have to believe that they can win at any level.  Betcha nobody had to put a gun to their heads to make them go cup racing.  :  )

I don't know for sure who makes the decision, but I would bet it's the team owner's call.

As for Yeley - he's supposed to be great at Silver Crown racing, etc.  So he couldn't make it in Sprint Cup racing.  That's okay, he's in good company.  Johnny Benson, Ron Hornaday, Ted Musgrave, and others had no success there, either.  But they tear up the tracks in the truck series.  

Everybody isn't NASCAR Sprint Cup material, but it doesn't mean they aren't good racers.

Answer 7

i might agree with most of the people you have listed EXCEPT for scott speed. they brought him into arca and some truck races and after his arca win today, he's won what, three out of the last four races? and he's got a win, two top-5s and four top-10s in his first eight starts in the truck series. i think they're moving him up quite nicely - mainly beause they didn't throw him into nationwide or the cup right from the start.

and if they do move the rest up to cup sometime next year (some are already there or will be there by the end of this year), they are getting a chance to shine. everyone you mentioned has done better than most in the lower series and who knows, if david gilliland can make it (he was moved up after only one nationwide win), then they stand a good chance - at least a chance of catching the eye of a good team... bottom line, if they're getting to run in nascar's top series, even if a little too early or with a not-so-hot team, it's a dream come true for most. i wish someone would "s***w me over" the same way - with a million dollar contract and at least a CHANCE to fulfill my dream.

;-)

ps. lynn, YEARS of practice, m'dear, are necessary to become as verbose as am i. that and years of typing practice, not to mention the years of taking c**p for not being able to answer a yes or no question in less than 500 words...

;-)