NASCAR's 10 Tough Questions, Part 1: Start 'n' Parks and ... - AthlonSports.com
As the economy worsens, many are concerned about short fields affecting the Cup Series in 2009. But what’s more likely to happen is an uglier phenomenon — the emergence of “start and park” teams whose only purpose of existence is to ride around for a few laps and collect a check.
This practice already thrives in the Nationwide Series, where at some races nearly a quarter of the starting field packs it in before the first pit stop. And as more unsponsored teams catch on to the idea of potential profit, you can expect that number to increase.
Of course, no one attends a race to see cars go at half speed and park it, but what’s disturbing is that NASCAR is failing to address the issue while letting prominent broadcasters like Phil Parsons own some of the start and park teams themselves.
It’s gotten to the point that the sport is better off with 32-car fields that run to the finish, and that’s why it’s time to solve the problem and hold purse money for any car that voluntarily fails to finish at least half a race’s scheduled distance.
