Pony Up to NASCAR    September 20, 2007 Mickey Mills – SCR        It is being widely reported that as early as the 2009 season, NASCAR will be changing the car models and start racing Pony Cars in the Busch series; Ford Mustangs, Dodge Challengers and Chevrolet Camaros, oh my.        If and when this happens it should be a very successful move within the sport. It will give the series an identity all it’s on. In recent years, with so many cup drivers entered in the Busch races, the lines between the two divisions have become very blurred. For the fans that grew up in the era of the muscle car it will be a trip down memory lane. Days behind the wheel of my Firebird are still rich in my memories.        It’s likely this die was cast back in 2005 when Ford retooled the Mustang for a retro design comeback. This was a hugely successful move for the manufacturer capitalizing on the brand recognition of the Mustang product and reviving slumping sales in that model family. In response, Chevrolet is brining back the Camaro for release in the 2009 model year. And, after a nearly 35 year hiatus, Dodge is bringing back the Challenger. The Pony Car lives!

Toyota has not announced what model it will use in place of the Camry. My guess would be the Supra. All of the manufactures are reported to be on board with this move. As a venue to show off this family of cars, it makes all the sense in the world.        This move will clearly give the series its own identity and draw that line that provides needed separation from the Nextel Cup. The series champion this season will be Nextel Cup regular Carl Edwards. Through the first 28 events in the 2007 season, most of the winners have been Nextel Cup regulars. Only two races were not won by Nextel Cup drivers: Stephen Leicht (Meijer 300, Kentucky Speedway) and Jason Leffler (Kroger 200, O’Reilly Raceway Park). Although Aric Almirola is listed as the official winner of the AT&T 250 at the Milwaukee Mile, Denny Hamlin replaced him on lap 57, losing 31 track positions in the process, and then storming back through the field to take the checkered flag.        With Anheuser Busch pulling out at the end of this season the series will be getting a new sponsor. Although nothing has been announced, NASCAR will close that deal in the very near future. The timing is right for a complete upheaval in this division to inject new life, new fans and new drivers. I think it is very likely that once this change occurs we will see drivers coming over from the Grand Am Rolex series to compete. You may never stop the “Busch Whackers” from driving the Saturday night race to see what they can learn for Sunday afternoon, but this may curtail some of it.

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All in all, I think this would be a brilliant move by the sanctioning body. Each series will have its own look and feel. At the end of the day, it’s still NASCAR, the greatest show on asphalt.         Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends.   Questions, Comments; Email Mickey