The 2011 Nationwide Series will be one of uncharted territory.
It’s hard to try and promise fans that they need to watch this season because it’s going to be bigger and better than years past. It would be unfair to try and say that things are going to be different in the best way possible and the season is going to blow the history books away.
That has yet to be determined. We’re not in the business of false advertising. That’ll be save for the McDonald’s commercials which always seem to have a burger that looks more appetizing and pretty than what arrives in the bag.
For the most part however, the upcoming NNS season is one that has begun to paint a very interesting picture. Here are five new things fans should be looking for in the 2011 season.
New Faces Competing for the Nationwide Series Championship
Elliott Sadler feels like a kid again.
After winning his first race in NASCAR’s top three series since 2004 in a Kevin Harvick Incorporated truck, Sadler was given the keys to a full-time NNS ride for KHI. Considering that Sadler is no long a Sprint Cup Series driver, he should be eligible to run for the title in 2011.
His success in 2010, including a pole and third place finish at Bristol in August, makes him a contender to watch. Sadler has always been a lovable character in the NASCAR garage, who hasn’t had the success that many feel he’s capable of.
This season it might be hard to wipe a smile off his face.
At Texas last November after the announcement was made, Sadler said he was looking forward to having fun again. And it also doesn’t hurt that he knows he’s going to be competitive.
It felt like the first day of the rest of his life. Could Sadler become the next Jamie McMurray comeback story?
KHI has established themselves as a premiere NNS team, one that will again be looking to take up residence in victory lane. But another returnee to the NNS is going to give Sadler a run for his money.
If Aric Almirola’s career to be summed up it would take just one race: Milwaukee in June of 2007. At the time Almirola was a developmental driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, the expectant next big star of the sport.
That’s the race he was yanked out of the car while dominating in favor of Denny Hamlin. Almirola got credit for the victory but he wasn’t in the winner’s circle and doesn’t have the trophy.
In 2011 JR Motorsports is giving him a chance for redemption. Almirola gets the seat of the No. 88 which in 2008-2009 finished third in the NNS points with Brad Keselowski.
Veteran crew chief Tony Eury Sr. is back atop the box, a man that has the experience to create another championship driver. When Almirola finished third at OPR last August in his first race with the team, Eury was instantly impressed and knew their driver search was over. Almirola will leave behind the CWTS where he won two races and finished second in points.
Along with Sadler, Almirola will give NASCAR fans two new Nationwide only drivers to get behind in the title fight.
And speaking of title fight …
New Rules for Sprint Cup Series Drivers
It hasn’t been formally announced yet, but NASCAR has stated they have sent letters to each and every team about the upcoming season. The letter states a driver much declare which of the three series they want to receive championship points in.
What’s that mean? Drivers such as Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Paul Menard and others who attempt to compete for both the NNS and NSCS championship cannot. It’s one or the other.
That would bring an end to five years of Cup drivers taking home the Nationwide trophy and ensure that a new face gets his chance.
Cup drivers may still be allowed to run in the series, such as Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick to name a few but they won’t be allowed to rain on the NNS regular drivers parade.
There have been words of praise for NASCAR. There have been those of criticism. The 2010 NNS champion, Keselowski, had already let the cat out of the bag last week on his Twitter page.
Keselowski has become a sort of Twitter-holic over the last month. He’s updates numerous times throughout the day and interacts with his fans.
Keselowski updated on January 7, “Needed a good laugh tonight after being ruled ineligible for both shootout and NW championship in one loooong week. Thanks for the support!”
A day later Keselowski took back his comment and said he has not been informed of any rule changes. NASCAR has said they will address the issue and many more later this month during the media tour.
But, it appears that for the first time since Martin Truex Jr. did so back in 2004-2005, the Nationwide Series will have one of their own taking home the championship.
New Faces in New Places
NASCAR is once again being invaded, except this time it’s not by an open wheel driver. Travis Pastrana is the newest owner/driver as it was announced that Pastrana-Waltrip Racing will make their debut in 2011 with Pastrana behind the wheel.
He comes from a sport that is nothing like NASCAR and where if he tries to pull off one of his signature moves, it won’t end well. Trying to double-back flip a stock car might sound exciting and would certainly put on a show, but it won’t help him end up in victory lane or learn very much.
Pastrana is an X Games hero who will now become the student to some of the best racers in the world. He does have experience on four wheels however, competing in the American Rally racing.
Fans love fresh faces to root for and Pastrana is a very likable guy with a great fan base. A fan base that is also very diverse, something NASCAR will be excited about as well.
New Car Creating a New Kind of Racing
It was run on four occasions last season in preparation of his first full season. In four races there were three winners and none of them came from the Joe Gibbs Racing stable.
Significant because of the praise drivers gave the car in creating an equal playing field. JGR, specifically Kyle Busch, has made the series his own personal playground the last few seasons.
In an era when fans have become sick of seeing the same teams and drivers dominate, the new car is bringing hope that 2011 will open up doors for a successful season for many different faces.
Another compliment handed down was about the car handled and the racing it produced. Some even compared it to driving like a truck, which can be a good thing because many say the CWTS puts on some of the best racing during the weekend.
Keselowski, who won in the car at Charlotte, said that race was one of the best races he’s ever been apart of and hoped the fans agreed. An official judgment of the cars successful will most likely come after the season has concluded.
Something to watch though is that now the Cup drivers can’t win the championship, they have nothing to lose when running in the NNS. It’s victory lane or bust for them and that can only lead to some exciting races.
Oh and don’t forget, the cars look good too.
New Girl on the Block Gets a Returning Neighbor
It’s Danicamania part two but this time she has some competition. Patrick will be back for her second season in a stock car as she also returns to tracks for the second time.
Last season it appeared that she was learning when she ran inside the top 15 at California in October before being wrecked. It was a turnaround from where she was in the beginning of the season.
The first five races of the 2011 season will again be filled with Patrick’s face and name. Sorry for all the haters. Except, don’t get too upset because another female will be looking to take the spotlight.
She’s not new to NASCAR but Jennifer Jo Cobb will also be running in the first five races of the season. She has joined 2nd Chance Motorsports where she’ll drive the No. 79 2nd Chance Motorsports Ford.
Cobb has run NNS races in the past, her last was Kansas last September where she finished 34th. The Kansas City native competes full time in the CWTS and last season she became the highest finished female in NASCAR history.
Patrick vs. Cobb.
It’s just one of the new things to watch as the season gets under way next month.
