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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.
