I really did not pay attention to this number lately, it kind of snuck up on me. This weekend at Kansas will be the Nationwide Series 200th race in Lucky Dog Racing!
The Nationwide series started way back in 2005 at Atlanta. At that time it was our first season under the Lucky Dog Racing banner, the 2004 Cup season was under Red Zone Racing. The Cup series underwent a huge population growth and was capped off. It was decided to add a new league for those who could not get into the Cup series yet but could still race in Lucky Dog Racing.
The Busch Series was created in March 2005 and the first race was held on March 19th, the Aaron's 312 in Atlanta. 16 members participated in that first race. By the end of the season we would have 23. The Busch series would change its name to the Nationwide series in 2008.
Lou Demian won the very first race which must have been an omen of things to come. Lou would eventually win the first championship and eventually a 2nd in 2009. He is tied with Dean Higley with 2 championships each. Bob Douce is the only other member to win a Nationwide Championship.
Lou is also first on the all-time Nationwide wins list. That first win in March 2005 would eventually lead to 12 additional wins before race #200.
Lou Demian is currently the only active member to have raced in that first race and every race afterwards. Therefore he is the first person to reach 200 races.
Other active members who participated in that first race but would eventually leave the series included Greg Miller, Matt Sealey and Sue Perna. Note: Greg Miller did leave but is currently back racing in it.
These days the Nationwide Series currently runs a 45 member roster with a number of others still on the waiting list.
Nearly all of our current Cup members have raced in the Nationwide series at one point or another. To date there have been a total of 126 members who have raced in the Nationwide series, that is the largest amount among all three series.
Lou Demian will be the only player to reach 200 races this year, the next player will be Nathan Helton who has 191 starts. As long as Nathan returns to the series next year, he will reach 200 in the 2nd race of the year.
Thanks to everyone who has played in the Nationwide Series!
