Newman to run a limited Busch Series Schedule: #12-Ryan Newman will drive a limited NASCAR Busch Series schedule this year, beginning in May at Lowe's Motor Speedway, team President Don Miller announced Tuesday. "When this opportunity presented itself, we felt we couldn't afford to turn it down," Miller said. "It will be interesting to see Ryan competing in the Busch Series again." Chief Engineer Roy McCauley will oversee the Busch Series program and serve as Newman's crew chief on that circuit. The Busch Series crew will be comprised of personnel who worked with McCauley last fall on Penske Racing South's #06 Dodge that was driven by Travis Kvapil and Chad Blount. Penske Racing South's entry in the Busch Series will carry #39, which was the number used by Newman when he raced Midgets in USAC. Sponsorship for the Dodge will be announced at a later date. In addition to the May 28 CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Newman's tentative Busch schedule includes: Chicago, July 9; Watkins Glen, Aug. 13; Michigan, Aug. 20; Bristol, Aug. 26; Richmond, Sept. 9; Dover, Sept. 24; Charlotte, Oct. 14; and Texas, Nov. 5. This is Newman's first venture into the Busch Series since 2001 when he competed in 15 events. That season he won the August Michigan race, produced two top-five and seven top-10 finishes, earned six poles and started on the outside of the front row on four occasions.(Penske Racing)(4-26-2005)
Guess he got bored racking up all the poles in the Cup series, wants to try evening them up in the Busch series too.
Martin, Wallace, Mayfield, McMurray, Biffle, Kenseth, Labonte, Jarrett, Labonte, Edwards, Earnhardt, Waltrip, Marlin, Nemechek, Stewart, Johnson, etc., etc. and now Newman as well?!?!?!!
are there any Busch drivers down there left?
i understand people like Mears or Vickers who might need more seat time or maybe even Waltrip who owns his own team there, but gimme a break, if these guys want to compete more often? then why do they cry and whine about the schedule that is in Cup????
i hate seeing any Cup driver down in the minors, they are taking away from seats for up and comers and half the time all they do is create rivalries where there shouldn't be. (Sauter vs. Jarrett)
Well most of them say they do it to get a better feel for the track that weekend, more experience doesn't hurt. Seemed to help Harvick a lot in Bristol. And the extra money isn't so bad either.
Howerver there are too many Cup drivers in any particular race for the Busch series. I wouldn't be surprised to see NASCAR curb the amount of drivers per race. Maybe have like a total of 5 drivers allowed per race who have a full time Cup ride. They can qualify against each other for those 5 spots.
Got some Friends in the know in Spartenburg S.C., one works for Jason Kellers team. He says that he's hereing that within the next two seasons they are talking bout Cup drivers will be limited to just how many Busch races Cup drivers can "enter". Don't know how much truth there is to that but sounds reasonable to me. I agree with tha prez that most drivers like having an "edge" by driving a track a day before the cup race. However if your going to run the entire series like Edwards thats OK. Not that many drivers really ready for Busch anyway as the weekly crash fest atest too. Yes there's a few but very few. Remember those cars aren't cheap either and team owners don't like replacing cars at a break-neck rate. Cash is always a facter. Most truck drivers are extremely happy where their at. ASA,Arca... not much talent. Anyway just my tale on it.
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That's a good idea. Only 5 cup drivers are allowed to race and the only exception could be if you own the team, i.e waltrip. I don't know if it would ever come to that, especially if the busch series starts to get better rattings and more fans in the seats at the track.
sounds like a good rule in theory.......but we all know its never going to happen.
Nascar will continue to let those guys come down and slum in the minors because it can only help improve the ratings and everyone knows they need it. look at this league, 43 (max) drivers in cup, but only 16-17 in Busch....just isnt as much interest as there should be
i guess we will continue to have to put up with the big dogs in the little yard for awhile longer.