Trouble On The Horizon For NASCAR Nation

 

Trouble looms for NASCAR
by Mark DeCotis

There is a problem looming on the horizon for NASCAR, darkening the sky like an approaching thunderstorm and roiling the air like a tropical storm.

And unless the sanctioning body gets a handle on it, ill winds could be blowing for years to come. That was the assessment of Nextel Cup driver Jeff Burton of Richard Childress Racing, speaking with reporters Tuesday.

Alluding to the arrival of four Toyota teams plus an unspecified number of other outfits featuring high-profile drivers unknown to the fan base and media, Burton portended hard times for existing teams unless they hunker down, retain good people and generally keep their houses in order.

The problems don't stop there.

NASCAR's increasing popularity in the racing community is placing a premium on skilled drivers and the like. That is creating a dearth of experience that will result in increasing payroll bills and more seasoned drivers finding seat time in place of the young guns who had been the rage. more on trouble in NASCAR