NASCAR Busch Series may switch to muscle cars
Many lament the days when stock cars were actually based on production cars, rather than the new NASCAR Nextel Cup Car of Tomorrow vehicles that merely wear stickers bearing the headlights and grille of their production counterparts. While production-based stock cars will likely never happen again, word is that the NASCAR Busch Series will switch to cars based on the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger and yet-to-be-determined model from Toyota as soon as the 2009 season.Thanks for the tip, John R.
[Source: SpeedTV]
The world of NASCAR is divided into three series, which include the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The Busch Series has had a bit of an identity crisis lately, though. Meant to be a stage for a up and coming drivers in NASCAR, seasoned vets have taken to racing in the Busch Series as well as the Nextel Cup and usually dominate the podium of the former. While switching to pony cars won't chase away the experienced drivers, it will give the Busch Series a new hook to attract viewers.
Insiders say the plan is ideal since the new race cars will be built on the older NASCAR Nextel Cup chassis, of which there are plenty lying around after the premiere series switched to the much derided Car of Tomorrow. In fact, we surmise that with a line up of Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers and whatever Toyota wants to offer, coupled with young talent reaching for the brass ring and pros looking to sharpen their skills, the Busch Series might become more entertaining to watch than its big brother.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
TriShield 2:06PM (9/17/2007)
What coupe will Toyota field to take on the Americans in this race? The Solara, resurrect the two-door Camry?
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zamafir 2:49PM (9/17/2007)
um... i'd wager they'd go for the 500hp coupe currently under production.
per the topic at hand, i'm not sure why nascar shouldn't switch to production cars, just look at LPM2 or DTM.
Carlos 2:10PM (9/17/2007)
If that's what it takes for Toyota to resurrect the Supra, go for it. (It'd fit in well... unlike other Japanese coupes it was more of a drag racer than a handler.)
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lee 2:28PM (9/17/2007)
It would definately give their committee on exciting cars something to chew on
FrankTheCrank 2:14PM (9/17/2007)
That's pretty cool.
But please, don't allow Nick Hogan anywhere near the track.
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sw 2:14PM (9/17/2007)
This would be a fine time to revive the rwd corolla or the supra, or perhaps something that was as gorgeous as the 2000gt if they go the retro modern route
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SPG 6:40PM (9/17/2007)
Retro 2000GT PLEASE!
sw 2:16PM (9/17/2007)
This would be a fine time to revive the rwd corolla, the supra or even something as gorgeous as the 2000gt
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Mr. Oak 2:18PM (9/17/2007)
So, will it be the same formula? cookie-cutter cars in different shades of lipstick made up to look like Mustangs, Camaros etc? If so, I am not buying.
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Mr. Oak 2:28PM (9/17/2007)
I got my answer, not interested. Is actually happy with Grand-Am, ALMS and other forms of racing with real production based cars. I tolerate NASCAR as is now. If they're going to make a change, let it be for the better.
If you are foing to race Mustangs, it should have 60% content of an actual Mustang. It's okay to add safety equipment and other go fast parts etc. but not the crap that we get now.
Travis Rassat 2:31PM (9/17/2007)
I thought the same thing - they'll take the Cup Car of Tomorrow, put Mustang stickers on it instead of Fusion stickers and call it a day...
But, if they do actually do something beyond that, it'll be a good thing for the series.
Nick 2:18PM (9/17/2007)
I might actually watch that...
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blogged to death 3:17PM (9/17/2007)
I haven't watched much nascar lately. It's so boring and the series caters to their lowest common denominator - you know the really drunk shirtless guy who's pants are falling off. Plus oval races are so boring.
After all that - it is nice to see some real cars that real people drive being raced. Seems the only series that did that was the Koni Challenge, Speed Challenge, Honda Challenge, Spec Miata, 944 Cup, Grand Am Cup - all of which race on tracks based loosely on real curves on real world roads (you know turns that not only go left but also right).
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Todd 2:30PM (9/17/2007)
"...yet-to-be-determined model from Toyota..."
The Yaris!
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mike k. 3:59PM (9/17/2007)
thank you.. that was the best comment ever. Yaris needs its own racing division.! hehehe
Harrison 9:22PM (9/17/2007)
It already does in Japan. Some comical one-make race.
AAAAHHH!!!108HP COUNTAAAATTACKU DESU!!!!!!
JB 2:47PM (9/17/2007)
It would be nice to see the Busch series be more of a step-up from the NASCAR Modified series, with similar chassis but full bodied cars, such as when the Modified series races bigger tracks. All of the other nonsense, like plates and such, could still be applied, but it would give it more of a race car flavor, instead of the bland everything is exactly the same state the Nextel Cup racers are in.
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Jugomugo 2:48PM (9/17/2007)
I'd actually watch NASCAR if they used production models and not the exact same car for everyone.
Guess the only redneck racing I'll watch is sprints and modifieds.
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DarkKnight67 2:53PM (9/17/2007)
What performance model has Toyota ever had that could fit into this category?
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Strongbadinator 2:57PM (9/17/2007)
And it will continue to be lame, until they start using real cars. And turning both directions. And using the brake and gas pedal. I love GT and WRC. "Stockcar" racing got lame when they switched to 'pretend' cars and big ovals.
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