Man, this is a loaded topic, with passionate views from both sides.  I am choosing to bring this debate up once again, in part due to the current economy.  Like it or not, the economy is changing the sport every day.  The change varies depending on the series you are debating.  For example, The Truck Series is currently going through a phase where the manufacturers are pumping fewer dollars and resources into the series. This translates directly to the owners, as they cover the cost of items now that manufacturers supplied to them in the past.  So what about the Nationwide Series?

The biggest issue affecting Nationwide Series teams in my opinion is money.  There are less dollars for sponsorships floating out there, resulting in fewer teams (or more bluntly, limiting the number of GOOD teams).  Some of the bigger Sprint Cup based organizations are even having trouble landing sponsorship.  Just take a look at Richard Childress Racing’s signing of John Wes Townley to the drive the #21 car.  No disrespect to Townley, but that deal was put together because Townley had sponsorship money to bring with him.

So how does this factor into our debate?  Well, onto my hypothetical solution.

For starters, you cannot stop Sprint Cup drivers from running in the Nationwide Series.  Removing those guys from the races, especially on companion weekends, means attendance will drop which hurts the series in general.  So you need those guys to help with numbers at the gate, so they can race.  BUT, some sort of rule would be enforced that would prevent them from running for the Nationwide Series championship.  The rule would need some parameters in regards to the number of races you could run in Sprint Cup, but still be eligible to win the Nationwide Series title.  So what does that accomplish?  If my thinking is right (which is a crap shoot!), this will bring back the purpose of this series: to develop talent for the next level.  There are some good young racers in the series that do not get a lot of attention, due to the Sprint Cup guys coming in every week and taking the glory.  Letting the core group of Nationwide Series teams run for the championship exposes these drivers and teams.  Every week when the championship is discussed in the media, the Cup drivers are taken out of the equation. So instead of seeing a battle you can also see on Sunday’s (between Edwards, Busch, etc…) you will see the young talent in a battle of their own (Allgaier, Bires, etc…).

So what are your thoughts?  Drop a comment below.