Anyone else distubed by Vasser trying to run both CART and BUSCH?

[Ben 93 325is]

Just read the article about Vasser attempting to run both CART and about 10 races in the BUSCH series this year. Do one or the other Jimmy...because you can't give your full attempt to both.

[Russfeld]

Sure he can. There's almost no testing allowed during the Busch and CART seasons so he's probably bored more than anything else

[Brian W Keske]

You gotta make a living. I'm sure his decision is in his best intrest to insure his bills are paid.

I don't think we are in a position to demand such things.

[KC]

I like it. There are far too many drivers who only drive one discipline and then get called the greatest of all time or greatest of their generation. In my mind, drivers like Andretti and Foyt and Clark and Gurney are the best because they won in every thing they drove, not just one kind of car.

[Liz]

Assuming Vasser is poor (which he isn't the last time I got a look at his house), the argument "he needs the money" makes sense.

Assuming he's a pragmatist and realises (1) He's driving for a new team that may not be that financially stable; and (2) he's old, his attempt to ride two horses simultaneously makes perfect sense.

[Jordi]

Let him do whatever he wants. I guess that if one loves racing, he'd like to race as much as possible.

[Brian W Keske]

Originally posted by Liz
Assuming he's a pragmatist and realises (1) He's driving for a new team that may not be that financially stable; and (2) he's old, his attempt to ride two horses simultaneously makes perfect sense.

You said it better than I Liz. Your point was my point.

Vasser could run NASCAR/Busch into his twilight....not the case in open wheel.

I also agree with the post above about drivers 'back in the day' being able to compete in many different racing types. That is a refreshing return to the past type of thing...but I doubt that is why Vasser is exploring Busch racing.

[Asp]

Chris Fittipaldi managed it last year - crashed a few times in NASCAR; but did manage it.
May well end up being a full-time career move?

[sgw2]

Vasser is an investor in ASJM. This shows a very strong commitment with his own money, that ranks far higher in my book than those that do it with lip service only.

I think Jimmy is transitioning into an ownership and/or NASCAR carreer. If he quits now his career in CART looks very good, including the 1996 title and several wins, including Fontana last year.

No shame in that.

[Snrub]

Vasser will also raise CART's profile with the Nascar crowd. There are Nascar fans who might pay attention to CART and will like what they see.

Vasser doesn't seem like the bumpin' and grindin' type so I don't know how well he'd do in the Busch series.

[The Snout]

He'll only be running 30 races for the year, that's less than a full Winston Cup ride and some BGN races that some of the WC guys run. He'll be fine.

[Tailwind]

Good point Snout...

[DNQ]

Originally posted by KC
I like it. There are far too many drivers who only drive one discipline and then get called the greatest of all time or greatest of their generation. In my mind, drivers like Andretti and Foyt and Clark and Gurney are the best because they won in every thing they drove, not just one kind of car.

Amen to that. I reckon it's great.

[Liz]

Ditto. I'd rate Andretti over TGF any time because he won in every series he ever competed in -- of course excluding Le Mans, but everyone needs an ambition. Also he's much less complicated and much more friendly than any of today's "specialists".

Does Vasser have a Stetson?

[BootsOntheSide]

Chrstian Fitipaldi didn't do well in the few Busch races he did, but his CART form didn't struggle- he was as far off Da Matta's pace as he was in 2001. Ironic that he's chosen Winston Cup over ChampCars for 2003, I expect he'll be running back crying to Newman-Haas before long. Vasser, I think, isn't the right stuff for NASCARS, and the drivers and fans in the lower championships there are suspicious of guys coming in from open-wheel racing, and often punt them off the track intentionally so as to haze them. I hope Jimmy is prepared for this.

[gaines]

Since IROC doesn't invite CART stars to compete like the IRL stars unless they win the Crapbowl 500, the only way for a CART driver to have some fun in a stock car is to go to NASCAR. Besides, Jimmy is older and stock cars are easier on the body than the open wheel cars are. John Andretti and Robby Gordon both have said that. In Champ cars Jimmy only has a few good years left, all of the other veterans he's been racing with the past decade have almost all left the series. I don't blame him if he gets a second life in stock cars. He's been good for our series and we should wish him well as he attempts to find a way to prolong his career.

[Speedworx]

I think its great news. I always like drivers who do more than 1 series.

[The Snout]

Since IROC doesn't invite CART stars to compete like the IRL stars

Yeah what's the deal with that ? Do the France's own the IROC series or something ?

[JohnSSC]

I believe they do. Further, you will notice that the races are at tracks they own or control.

[Speedworx]

IROC races also tend to be on weekends which CART races on.