Mark Martin in NASCAR Busch Grand National-->The hot topic right now!

[Joe Fan]

This seems to be a hot topic on other NASCAR forums that I frequent. Mark has won 4 of 5 races he has competed in the BGN series this year. It would have been 5 for 5 if it weren't for a spinning out in front of him late in a race that Jeff Bruton captialized on and won a few weeks ago.

Everyone is getting tired of Mark dominating the field even though this is the last year he is going to race in BGN. Many feel Winston Cup drivers shouldn't be allowed to race in BGN or feel that there should be restrictions on the number of BGN races that they can participate in.

I don't agree. If I went to a BGN race I would want to see the best talent in the race as possible. Winston Cup drivers in BGN give us a gauge to measure BGN talent. Drivers like Mark Martin have taught young BGN a thing to two racing behind him. Sure these Winston Cup drivers send a few of the lesser BGN teams home but BGN drivers do the same to the Winston Cup drivers ocassionlly too. Like Adam Petty making the field for the Texas Winston Cup race when his father didn't.

What are your feelings on this?

[John B]

They definitely should be allowed. It's huge for promoting the event to have the big names, and helps drivers get a feel for the track. Scott Pruett's team regretted not entering a Busch car for him at some of the tracks he's struggled at.

Now, as far as Martin goes, if his winning percentage in Cup was anywhere near his Busch level, he'd probably have several titles by now...

[KC]

There's been some grumblig from the fans, but the majority of the drivers want to race against WC drivers because it sets the mark for them to pursue. If you can regularly out run Martin in the BGN, then you are likely to move up to WC and do well. You could certainly do worse than outrun Martin.

[MR_MRee]

One thing a lot of people are forgetting is that the Busch Series may not have become as prominent as it has without guys like Martin.When he first got into the series it was litle more than a short track touring division and had trouble drawing enough entries to for a full lineup.Winston Cup drivers competed when the series ran as companion events to complete the field and draw attention to the division.

I still think given the series growth that limits should be put on the number of Cup drivers in a race and the number of events they can enter in a season.In the begining their presence was beneficial to the series but now has become a hinderance.The regulars in the Busch Series are there to gain experience to keep a pool of fresh talent for the Cup series.If they're loading up after qualifying then the series purpose is being defeated.

[This message has been edited by MR_MRee (edited 06 April 2000).]