Toyota
Team Red Bull
High Groover: A solid D
OK, you have a SPONSOR as a NEW Team Owner. A NEW sponsor with a NEW manufacturer. It’s pretty obvious that when your only “tenured” team member is BV, you have some growing to do. Face it – Red Bull is a European (Austrian) privately owned company that’s HEAVILY invested in sports marketing and team re-branding. They’re sponsorship money is spread VERY thin and their current competition in the US market is extremely tough. What happens to this “team” when the U.S. cola wars produce the next generation of “energy” drinks and Red Bull’s domestic sales take a back seat? They’ll pull their U.S. racing investment and back to F1. This team isn’t going anywhere soon – too many new components and a seeming lack long-term commitment to building a winning team. The inconsistent results speak for themselves.Snafam: D- Destructing in front of our eyes.
High profile sponsor/owners with a couple of young drivers with very little in the way of experience in NASCAR. Sure, Vickers has been here much longer than AJ Allemdinger, but one win does not make him a veteren. He rarely contended at his former ride. AJ is in over his head.Okla21fan: C-
New teams, green drivers, no owner points, spells going to the ‘special ed’ class. Like all the Toyota teams, this is work in progress. No matter what the Cat in the Hat thinks, this is not the MLB where a new owner can flood the market with money and ‘buy’ early success. Like you will see, my expectations for the new manufacturer was not that high to begin with, and before making the Toyota teams go to ‘winter school’, I need to see more of their class work.
Bill Davis Racing
High Groover: C+
My money is on BDR! Bill Davis’ up close & personal relationship with Toyota paid off tremendously in the Truck series, and it will be only a matter of time before that success transfers to Cup. Tenure with the marque is key here. BDR has the sponsor/team relationship solidly built, they’ve spent ample time with Toyota engineers, marketing staff, R&D, etc. The “BDR/Toyota Honeymoon” was over long ago. The marriage is on solid ground and these guys are ready to work. Their Cup program is showing steady improvement and their COT performance was a surprise! No one can ignore Blaney’s stats, and as much as I’d LIKE to ignore Mayfield’s he showed some respectable chops in qualifying at Martinsville. I don’t think we’ll see him sitting out too many more races.Snafam: C-
BDR is the best of the Toyota teams. While that is not saying much, they have the benefit of estabished teams and established drivers. If Toyota is not concentrating on this organization in favor of the others, they would be making a huge mistake.
Okla21fan: B
It is too bad the COT was not used in all the races this season, because this grade might be even higher. BDR has merged the Toyota truck success to the COT and seems to have a leg up. Compound that with two capable drivers and this organization is tops for the manufacturer, this team will look forward to ‘next year’, as the season continues.
Michael Waltrip Racing –
High Groover - F.
I think drugs might be the answer. Won’t hurt to keep the Leo Buscaglia books away from Mikey for a while, either.Snafam: F is for Flailing and Failing.
The two senior drivers are struggling when they do make it on the track. Jarrett will run out of provisionals soon, and we will see some kamikaze qual runs from him. Sadly the best of the lot is the Rookie David, who is a nervous wreck at each qualifying. I predict he will have an ulcer by the next time we break.Okla21fan: I (incomplete)
Mikey’s dog ate his homework! It was bad enough that he paid ‘huge’ money for a driver who had been mailing it in the past few years just for a past champions provisional. Now the ‘spokesman’ can’t make races. If the 00 can make the race, he has shown to be the most competitive for this race team.
Ford
Roush-Fenway
High Groover: B-
Pretty danged respectable considering Ford’s rumored lack of support. All 4 veteran drivers in the top 20 and their uber-rookie is in 22nd and no longer an enfant terrible on the track. Something must be going right in that garage! Looks like the new financial partnership might have generated enuf funds to compensate for any lack of backing and support from Ford.
Snafam: B-
Once again it looks like Ford came to the gunfight with a butter knife. Fenway brought in lots of the $$, which will give needed resources to the Race team and to the Engine Shop. Last falls "Dart without Feathers" looks like he is growing some pinions! Jamie Mac appears to be liking his new CC! The other drivers, while not spectacular, are showing their regular strong moments, which tells me they will do fairly well.Okla21fan: B
The ‘evil empire’ strikes again! Now with the added support from Fenway, the beat should only get better.
Robert Yates Racing
High Groover: C
Shut up already about RYR! You bring a near extinct team back from the brink of obscurity and expect miracles? Here’s the deal – they have some catch up to do on the COT. Give ‘em time – the sins of the ancestors won’t clear up over night but once they do – watch out! (And Robert is a hottie. There. I said it. PPPPPBBBBBBBB!!!)
Snafam: C-
With a great start to the year, the skies looked bright for this team. Then, the bottom fell out. Both teams are having their share of bad luck, but they also have been having a host of the same issues from the past. Without a long history of solid engineering, this team will remain in 'reactive' mode, rather than being pro-active. No young hot-shot and no senior star will be a cure-all! It will take time and patience. And oh, probably lots more cash!Okla21fan: C+
It is not easy to ‘rebuild’, especially after driver defections. Driver defection can literally destroy a race team. The first half of a season after such an event is truly a ‘hall pass’ for me. This is work in progress and the learning curve is still out there. Rudd will pick up the slack at his ‘specialty’ tracks, and Gilliland with his CC and setup knowledge just may be the wildcard for this in the long run.
Wood Brothers
High Groover: D
A David among Goliaths, Wood brothers should be patted on the rump for keeping their single car out of the “Go or Go Home” category. And did you see Schrader qualify 4th last week? I love this team – a REAL team with more racing than marketing in their hearts.Snafam: D
It amazes me that every year, the Woods keep plugging along. They are hoping that scion Jon will be their savior...but Jon has a long way to go. One can't help but remember the Woods back in their day, and hope they will succeed.Okla21fan: C-
If I were using a grading curve pin-pointed to single car teams, I would up-grade to a B+. But sadly, the curve is not applicable in Nascar. The Woods are making the best of what they have to work with, they ride the short bus to school everyday, but that does not stop the resolve.
Robby Gordon
High Groover– C
I dunno – I kinda think the car looks GOOD all black like that.Snafam: B-
An anachronism in our sport. A single car owner, with limited resources, but doing far far better than any other car owner in the same spot. Sponsorhip will keep this passionate driver from failing, but then again, it may put him into spots that will cause grief to his peers.Okla21fan: C
Average driver, average team, average sponsor. This team ‘hides’ in the middle of the classroom, and lays low, but you never know when he will score big on a test.
Dodge
Ray Evernham Racing
High Groover– C-
OK, here goes: Methinks Ray mortgaged the farm to get a jump on the COT, now he’s spending his time marketing his team to prospective partners. What worked in the 90’s as far as team organization simply isn’t working in 2007. Hard to make major changes in the organization, though, when you don’t have dry ink on that prospective life-saving deal yet. Just wait. It’ll happen and perhaps then we’ll see some much needed change at EMS that will put all three capable drivers back on top. Then we can stop killing goats and crucifying fan club members. Or not.Snafam: B-
Two of the three drivers have suffered from hideous luck. The third, while he is hanging in there, has been known to self-implode as the season wears on. Look for their star, Kasey, to shine again. However, remember that championships may not be won in the first few races, they certainly can be lost in the first few races.Okla21fan: C-
Getting caught cheating on an early pop quiz has set this whole team back. Some bad luck has compounded the woes for the premier driver and it looks that the burden of making the Chase is left up to Sadler. Is he up for the weekly grind? History shows that come second semester, there are focus issues. Someone get Ray a hotline to the Pharmacist and hook up some Ritilin. The ‘Southern Gentleman’ has the skills if he simply puts his mind to it.
Ganassi w/Sabates
High Groover– C
Disciplined driving isn’t a strong point at Ganassi, but everything else seems to me moving along nicely. Montoya would be a phenom is he could get some help on the track – and it’s won’t be long before he will have earned some stripes. Strong Dodges and an established program are paying off. The drivers will grow into it.
Snafam: B+
This organization is showing a surge of strength. JPM has appeared to light a fire with the whole team, and I am sure we will see one or more wins this year. And how about that Stremme! He has his 'game-face' on, and will be much stronger than any expected. Reed? Where is the promise this young man showed?Okla21fan: C+
This team, despite some hype, just keeps jugging along. Even with some green drivers doing very well, they are also making some mistakes. That could change, and the honor roll could be in the future.
Penske Racing
High Groover – C+
Whassup with Penske? I’m stumped. They’re kinda boring this season!
Snafam: D
There is nothing there, no style no substance and nothing to show for their efforts. Mid pack at this time.
Okla21fan: C-
Can Busch or Newman pull a 2nd quarter ‘surge’ like a the 2006 rookie of the year did, and save this team’s rep? It is possible, but I am not counting on it. This is an average team right now, if they want to go to a four year college, they will need to step it up, otherwise it will be going to the local community college with a tuition waiver.
Petty
High Groover– D.
Plod, plod, plod, plod.
Snafam: D
Is Kyle's heart in the driver's seat anymore? It sure looks as if they are setting up his broadcasting career. Bobby is still strong, but this organization is right there with Yates, needing cash to really pick it up.Okla21fan: C-
I think the Wood Brothers and RPR must sit next to each other, they both get the same questions right and wrong on the tests.
Chevrolet
DEI
High Groover– C
Stuck firmly in mediocrity. I’m sure the “Dynasty” drama is taking a toll on the entire organization, but since there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of support in the financial department they’ve been able to stay in respectable standings. OK, tho -- whassup with Menard? He showed REAL promise last year and has tanked in ’07.
Snafam: C
Three popular drivers and only one is flirting with the top ten. One could only hope that the signing of the contract will ease the pain in this organization. There is too much potential being wasted right now.Okla21fan: C
A classic example of the hierarchy of the hallway and the playground antics. Jr is the rock of the race team, and is pulling the strings and the everyone else on the playground looks to him to see what is the ‘next game’ to play.
Gibbs
High Groover– A-.
There’s an old saying: “The speed of the leader is the speed of the pack.” Their majordomo, Tony, is showing signs of mellowness, and his attention to non-Cup activities has increased tenfold. These guys will stay near the top of the heap, but if we had the “old” Tony back – it would be a wipe out!
Snafam: A
Tony the Vet is being shut out by his partner. His fire may come back the race after he gets waxed! (More aerodynamic?) Mr Sophomore Denny has yet to find his slump, JJ...hmmm, the waxing did not help him last year!Okla21fan: A-
Sitting at the front of the class, answering all the questions when asked. As the questions get harder, both keep raising their hands to answer, hollering "I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW, PICK ME!!" .
Hendrick
High Groover – A+.
And I hate it. This is a NASCAR monopoly with unlimited resources. When you have unlimited resources – you can dominate any endeavor and “apply” pressure to the sport, rather than react to it. Worked for Exxon! I have a theory: Start with Hendrick, deduct ½ the net assets, and you wind up with DEI.
Snafam: A+
Three out of four are soaring. And what is with the 4th team? Hmmm, maybe it was not Brian after all! If they can ever figure out the 4th team jinx, the whole organization will be so strong it will be hard to beat.Okla21fan: A
Teacher still can’t find any cheat sheets; something must be on the up and up. The Valedictorian of Nascar cruises on.
Ginn
High Groover– C.
Not bad for being the exhibition division of RCR! I can’t help but wonder where Mark would have placed in points had Ginn been forced to finance a full season from the get go.
Snafam: B
Proof that money can cure a lot of ills. Ginn came in, spread the cash around, and the whole organization has picked up the pace. Even though G can stand for Ginn, it can also stand for Geritol, a direct reference to the age of most of the drivers. However, in age there is a wily strength. All three of those drivers are showing improvement, and Bobby has a stable of young drivers in training, waiting in the wings.Okla21fan: B-
All those ‘sick days’ hurt this team with Martin missing a race. But I guess that was in the curriculum all along.
Childress
High Groover– A+.
Solid stuff. When everything is workin’, it looks like RCR.
Snafam: A+
When there are three drivers, and the lowest of them in the points is Harvick at 10th, you KNOW that Childress is on top of it. Watch for good things all year long.Okla21fan: A+
I always hated the kids that give apples to the teach every Monday morning. But week after week, they are the ones earning the gold stars.
Thank you to everyone who slogged all the way through our report cards. We promise, the next blogs will be shorter, a bit, maybe!
