Oct 15, 2007

Open-Wheelers Find NASCAR Challenging

Open-wheel racing is frequently considered to be the highest level of motorsport. Formula One is widely regarded as the sport's pinnacle, while Champ Car and Indy Racing League, though they don't carry the credentials of F1, are well up the food chain in terms of sophistication. So, it is with a sense of vindication that NASCAR fans witness the struggles of open-wheel stars to become tier-one drivers in NASCAR. The money and visibility of NASCAR are certainly attracting top open-wheel racers to join the fray, but so far the results have been tepid.

Juan Pablo Montoya, who had championship seasons in American open-wheel competition and then made the jump to Formula One, was the first to transition to NASCAR, but his results have only been so-so. Currently running 20th in Nextel Cup points, he missed the Chase for the Cup by a mile and is not highly regarded by NASCAR observers.

It has been far uglier for Sam Hornish Jr., three-time champion of the Indy Racing League and a winner of the Indianapolis 500. He has come up empty in his first three attempts to qualify for a Nextel Cup race, even though he has a top car prepared by Penske Racing. Hornish is interested in a full-time Sprint Cup ride next season, but one has to wonder: how realistic is this if he fails to qualify for a race as this season winds down? Frankly, the deck is stacked against Hornish and other newcomers who want to break in late in the season, since NASCAR decrees that the top 35 cars in owner's points are guaranteed starting spots in each subsequent race. This means that in the typical 43-car field, only eight spots are available for open qualifying and so far, Hornish has been off the pace in securing one of those coveted spots.

Jacques Villeneuve, a former Formula One champion, has fared better in his brief Nextel Cup foray. He qualified sixth at Talladega and finished the race in the 21st slot, more than respectable. It is likely he will run at least one more Nextel Cup race this season before settling into a regular ride next year with Bill Davis Racing.

Current IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti is looking to make that same transition just as effectively. Turning his back on IndyCar, he is set to drive in several Craftsman Truck Series races as the season winds down in preparation for a gig with Cunningham Sports in Sprint Cup next season.