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1. Gene Haas Interested in Formula 1 Team; Why Would He Be Interested?
A piece of extremely shocking news came out during the week. It was announced that Gene Haas, part owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, had put in an application to start a Formula 1 team as soon as 2015. In case you don't know anything about Formula 1, I will share a little bit of knowledge that I know. Formula 1 is an open wheel racing division centered in Europe with races at tracks across the world including China, the United States, Brazil, and many more. Now, this move seems ridiculous to me in all honesty. I mean, not to jump too much into Formula 1 talk, but the series is pretty predictable. Sebastian Vettel wins pretty much every race and it seems almost impossible for any other driver to even challenge him for the top spot. I know that isn't all of what happens because I watched a little bit of Formula 1 this year, but Vettel seems to be without competition. That is what doesn't make sense to me about this move for Gene Haas. Unless he gets somebody really good to drive the car, he isn't going to have a chance to have success in the sport and he could lose a lot of money. But it also could be good for one thing. Haas in Formula 1 could attract a lot of new sponsors and drivers to NASCAR. I mean, if he goes over there with an American driver, he very well could attract the attention of a lot of investors to NASCAR competition and a good many sponsors. That would help his NASCAR side of the situation along with helping a little bit of his Formula 1 side. If Haas is able to make this work, we could see a lot of new revenue to the sport we love so much: NASCAR.
2. Smithfield Extends Relationship with Richard Petty Motorsports: Is It Worth It?
A piece of great news for NASCAR sponsorship came out during the week. Richard Petty Motorsports extended its relationship with Smithfield Food Companies. If you recall, Smithfield has been the major sponsor for Aric Almirola since 2012 when he joined the team. This is great news not just for the team, but the sport altogether. Whenever a sponsor extends a relationship with a team, so many great things happen for the team and sport. More people are brought into the sport, more revenue is raised for the team and sport, and drivers get their chance to be great in NASCAR's highest series are just some of the great things. The only question with this move remains: is the move worth it with Richard Petty Motorsports? It most certainly is. Think about it. RPM isn't the highest level team in the sport, but Richard Petty leads it. Whenever you can have the name Richard Petty tied to anything, it is definitely a worthwhile move. I mean, you could go to the highest part of Alaska and somebody there would know who he was. That just adds to what Smithfield gets with this extended relationship with one of NASCAR's most famous people. With this sponsorship relationship, Aric Almirola could become one of the best of 2014 and take a Chase spot along with being set for the future.
3. Aric Almirola Gains Three Year Extension with Richard Petty Motorsports; Is He the Best Fit?
Another piece of news came out of the Petty camp during the week. Richard Petty Motorsports announced that the driver of the number 43, Aric Almirola, had signed a three year extension with the team to continue driving the car. If you recall, Almirola took over the number forty three in 2012 from A.J. Allmendinger after Almirola had spent some time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. I really feel this is a good move for Petty and the rest of the team. For one, Almirola doesn't deserve enough credit for his abilities as a driver. I mean, he was top 10 in points for the first half of the season last year before falling off a bit during the last half of the year. Now, I know how it is. We don't count first half success in the grand scheme of things when we make it to the end of the year, but it has to count for something. Secondly and finally, Almirola seems just on the edge of his first win in the series. I mean, he is really close to being one of the better drivers in the series. If everything lines up right for him one week and he has the track position, he very well could take the win. Honestly, I would love to see it because I want him to be successful in the sport along with his team at Richard Petty. With this extension, we could see Aric Almirola remain in NASCAR's highest series for a good many years and he could be very successful at it.
4. Todd Parrott Back Looking For Work; Will He Find a Crew Chief Job Soon?
A rather expected piece of news came out during the week. Todd Parrott, who was the previous crew chief for Aric Almirola, was back looking for work at Daytona during Preseason Thunder testing. If you recall, Parrott was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR in October of 2013 for violating the sport's substance abuse policy. He was subsequently fired by Richard Petty Motorsports, but he has now been reinstated and is looking for work. Now, let me make this clear before I make my opinion on this subject. I, personally, do not believe a person who uses a substance that is illegal in a sport should be reinstated and allowed to work in the sport again. To me, Todd Parrott is really no exception. I have said before that he knows how to run a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and it would be stupid not to hire him, but that is too much to risk. I would be absolutely embarrassed if the crew chief for my team failed a drug test. I would fire him so quick and I think he shouldn’t get another job. Now, he might be a last resort for some teams. I can understand that, but he would not be my first choice for a crew chief. Still, I respect Parrott's abilities as a crew chief and brilliant NASCAR mind, but I don't want him on my pit box and I feel other teams don't want him either.
5. NASCAR Considering Changes to Chase System; Good or Bad?
Well, as we continue on in the offseason, NASCAR is considering a change to the Chase that has been a mainstay in the sport since 2004. The Charlotte Observer announced this week that NASCAR was thinking of making landmark changes to the Chase system, which is used to decide the champion in the final ten races of the year. The changes would include a move from twelve to sixteen drivers, elimination style bracketing with four drivers taken out after the third, sixth, and ninth race of the Chase, and four drivers battling with the same amount of points to take the championship in the final race of the season. Along with all that, a win would practically guarantee a driver into the Chase battle. If sixteen drivers didn't take wins, then the final positions would be filled with drivers the highest in points without a win and more than sixteen drivers winning would cause the positions to be based on points before the Chase reset. This is definitely the stupidest thing I have ever heard. At face value, it doesn't seem terribly dumb as an idea, but then you have to read everything. I mean, I preach and preach consistency deciding who wins a championship. With this new system, you could win a race and be in the battle for the championship. Think about this for a minute. Let's say Danica Patrick has everything line up at a superspeedway and she takes the win. She would be a lock for the battle for the championship while a consistent and much better driver like Kurt Busch doesn't win a race and is kept out of the battle for the title. That makes no sense. For years, the championship was based on running good from week to week. Personally, I think that was the best racing NASCAR ever had. Now, it is lay back in the final races before the Chase, if you are in good position, and then go crazy in the Chase. To me, that shouldn't decide a champion. It shouldn't be about winning, but rather running in the top 10 or 15 every week. I don't know if NASCAR will listen to us fans on this point, but I hope, with everything I got, we don't end up in this terribly dumb system.
Well, that was quite a rant on that last piece. That rant brings week #9 of the 2013 NASCAR offseason to a complete and utter close. It was a rather calm week in terms of NASCAR news, but that last piece was definitely something monumental for the sport if it comes to pass. We now sit only five weeks from the greatest race in the history of our sport: the Daytona 500. It is sure to be a great show and I am ready for it to happen. I thank you guys once again for reading through my thoughts. If you guys have any concern with the points I made today, let me know in the comments down below. I thought I would get to a Flashback Friday this weekend, but it didn't happen. It will probably be a couple of weeks before I get to another because I will be pretty focused on the Rolex 24 at Daytona next weekend. I may or may not write a little piece on the event. If I do, it will probably focus on the first day's action along with something talking about the last segment of the event. The NASCAR Season Recap is going really well. With all bad things not considered, you will see it up this week. I can promise you that for sure now. I hope everything continues to go good for you guys and until we meet again.
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