rating the changes in nascar next year

*Talks to self*

There’s a new car that looks like crap in NASCAR. Deal with it. Even though the cars look like crap and seem to only race well in short tracks, well, At least the drivers are still cool.

At least the drivers are still cool.

Let’s rate the major driver changes and new drivers in NASCAR so far for 2008.

Dale Jr. and the #88 Hendrick team

Rick Hendrick is the New York Yankees of NASCAR, but I think Dale Junior works. I actually do not have a problem with it anymore, and I love the simple paint scheme. It’s a grab bag how he will do in Hendrick Equipment, he could be average and underwhelming (as they will have to build more quality cars for Johnson, Gordon, AND Junior now) or he could be really really good.

I give the move an A with a minus sign.

Haas Racing Merry-Go-Round

Jeff Green is decent but old, and Johnny Sauter is really underrated as he proved himself this year. I also like the Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs combo though. Who’s going to sponsor them anyways?

Overall I like this change, but Johnny Sauter should stay in Cup. Scott Wimmer also deserves another chance. I’ll give it a B.

David Reutimann to the #44

David Reutimann is a fast qualifier, and with the right amount of experience, can really help Toyota. Too bad he is old, like Greg Biffle old. He could pull a Harry Gant and race well into his 50s though.

I like Reutimann’s style, so I’ll give it a B+.

JJ Yeley to the #96

*crash*

I’ll give it a D. Maybe he’ll be good at racing, or he could be Jason Leffler mediocre. Leffler had a great season in Busch this year though, finishing 3rd in points.

Open Wheel Driver Grab Bag

For your safety, there might be a lot of crashes next year. So much inexperience with stock cars. I like Jacques Villeneuve and how he can adapt to anything and I think he’ll do a good job, as a mid-pack finisher. Patrick Carpentier is a wash at this point as he’s raced decently so far. But I have a feeling Dario Franchitti and Sam Hornish will have a lot of parties on Sunday with the KC Barbecue Sauce and the Kingford charocal after failing to qualify for the fifteenth straight time. Oh wait, that’s Marcos Ambrose’s sponsor.

Grade: Incomplete. I’ll rate them midseason next year or something.