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[/media-credit]One might think I would be down right disappointed in Joe Nemechek. Front Row Joe once was a racer, but has since become a start-and-park owner, a man who was at the line for 36 races this past season. In those 36 races, he finished 39th or worse 33 times. Only thrice did he manage to not be among the final four, those heart stopping moments coming during the summer race at Daytona (30th), Indianapolis (38th), and the fall race at Loudon (36th). From Front Row to No Go Joe, but it is not his fault. Sure, as a driver/owner these past three seasons he has been among the Top 30 just three times in 97 starts with only a 14th place finish at Talladega in 2009 worth spit, but how can you blame the man?
Usually, a fellow would find himself sitting in the minors until he was ready for prime time. The organization would slowly grow, mature, and gather together the pieces necessary to make a go of it in the show. Then again, anyone remember the XFL? While the stats show Joe has averaged a 40th place finish over those 97 races, there is one important statistic we need to consider. Over that time, his Cup operation has earned him more than $7.8-million, almost $2.9-million in 2011 alone. Starting and parking has its rewards. He made just over $2-million in 85 events racing Nationwide in three seasons. Hell, Carl Edwards won the most last year in that circuit, and that barely topped $1.2-million. You might be starting to see that Mrs. Nemechek raised no dummies.
If you can take on-track prize money by starting and parking in Cup that amounts to more than twice what Nationwide’s leading money winner can claim, this becomes a no brainer. The sacrifices of driver Joe sure is helping the bottom line of team owner Joe. If he can save on tires, fuel, a crew, engine work, and expensive body repair, then all the better. I’m sure Joe Nemechek has dreams, maybe one day being able to run with the big boys. He might dream of actually going out to race, to run for points, maybe being the king of hill one day. For now, though, I think Joe is content in being able to continue making a living in the sport he loves, and doing so in the most intelligent manner he can.
I think the whole concept of start-and-go entries cheapens the sport in the same way that passing replacement players off as the real deal cheapens other sports. I think those not ready for prime time should run at a level they can compete at. I think that is how things should work from a fan’s point of view. However, Joe Nemechek would be an idiot to follow that line of logic when, as a businessman, he can make a hell of a lot more doing exactly what he is doing.
I’m not convinced those who start-and-park ever reach a level where they can actually compete. A few may have started underfunded, but I can’t think of one that started races only to park it a few laps in that ever became competitive. Yes, as a fan, the start-and-park cars out there are merely irrelevant window dressing at best, or clutter at worst. However, if Joe Nemechek can pick up a couple of million in sponsorship, more than match that in race earnings while keeping his expenses low, a fellow might just earn enough bucks by following his example. It might not exactly be racing, but you can’t fault Joe Nemechek, and those like him, for taking advantage of NASCAR’s rules, or a lack of them, in order to make a living.
I agree with these comments. However, I have to say that Joe and his NEMCO team are just as competitive as any other one out there; especially in qualifying. Joe and his 6 or 7 man lead effort made EVERY single Cup race last year on TIME. That has never been done in the history of the Top 35 points deal. To me, that is competitiveness. And please, I hope you know Joe is not getting rich off of this deal with S&P. He funds his NW team with some of the money he gets, plus I imagine he helps pay for his son’s racing in the Allison Legacy Series. Just because it shows that he made all that money added up over 3 seasons doesn’t mean it’s all in his pocket. He has bills too.
Thanks for pointing out that “you can’t fault Joe Nemechek, and those like him, for taking advantage of NASCAR’s rules, or a lack of them, in order to make a living.” I agree with you on that point.
However I have to disagree with your conclusion that you can’t think of one that started races only to park it a few laps in that ever became competitive. I can think of one, and it’s that same Joe Nemechek. He was competitive before his career devolved into start and park. Competitive enough to earn the nickname “Front Row Joe” in qualifying. And competitive enough to win several Cup races — I believe four of them in all — and to come in top five or top ten in a few others.
He is a talented driver who unfortunately ran afoul of some owners with nothing to offer him in the way of decent equipment and, as I understand it, at least one who had no interest in racing except to drain as much money out of his team as he could and then disband it.
As the owner of his own team he provides jobs for team members at this time when jobs are few and far between. He’s knowledgeable enough to be able to help them with the mechanical work on his own cars, and if he had the money for decent cars and parts for them he’d still be able to be competitive. He still has the fire and the love of racing, but unfortunately it takes far more than that. It takes enough cash to build a good stable of cars and a good team.
His start and park money pays for his more successful Nationwide team but it can’t support both Nationwide and Sprint Cup teams. I often wonder what he’d have been able to do if he’d had the backing he needed from a good owner and whole slew of good sponsors.
I totally agree. When I mentioned that I could not think of a single start and park who made it, I was referring to owners. Some start underfunded, but I can’t think of any committed to start and park that got past that. There is no question as to Joe’s talent as a driver. I originally conceived the piece as a criticism of those who do start and park, but quickly discovered that is hard to criticize a guy who is doing so to better fund his operation. You and I are on the same page, Nadine. I appreciate your comments.
TBR with the #36 and Blaney behind the wheel is a 27th to 33rd place car on most weekends and the Geico #13 with Mears is in the top 35 as well. They are not Chase material teams but for teams that are three and two years old respectively that is still pretty good. Considering they came from a 40th or worse finish or not even making the show they are doing quite well in my humble opinion.
Nemechek is only starting and parking to fund his Nationwide car, which goes the distance in all the races, and occasionally fields a 2nd car when Kevin Conway is in the 87. He’s the only one of the s and p cars to reinvest his money back into the racing team.