Money, Fame or Just Plain Fun

It's all the buzz now; the recent flood of open wheel stars leaving their familiar territory for the unknown. And of course, everyone questions why each particular driver is making the switch.

Is it for the money? That may definitely be the case with Sebastien Bourdais' switch to Formula One. The frenchman, who is Champ Car's leader in everything Champ Car, has only won slightly over half a million dollars so far this season, in his much expected march to a fourth consecutive series title.

He stands to make that in just a few appearances in Formula One, where the driver's yearly salaries stand in the millions.

I know, Bourdais who? In his case it may be a multi-faceted desire to get out of Champ Car. The money isn't there and neither is the fame. I sure haven't ever seen him in a McDonald's commercial, despite his sponsorship by the team for the last few years. And his move to a much more popular international racing series may garner him the fame his ego may desire.

But if Formula One brings a driver international fame and money, as the series definitely creates fabulous, elite superstars living the good life, what's Jacques Villeneuve doing trying his hand at NASCAR?

He's got plenty of money. He's got quite a bit of fame, why not just retire? His may be the case of just plain fun. The Canadian driver didn't seem ready to retire when he was ousted from Formula One last year. Of any series, that one doesn't seem to want to keep you around when you've outgrown that playboy persona.

And when presented with a 'forced' retirement, what's a race car driver supposed to do when he's still got the need for speed. Why not try another series? Especially another series that is today quick to welcome international drivers in order to garner some more international acclaim.

What a symbiotic relationship. This newly embarked upon international venture seems to be working for NASCAR and a number of the recently welcomed international drivers (Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Villeneuve). With those three drivers, NASCAR's market just grew three-fold, garnering attention in South America, Europe and Canada and these drivers have the chance to continue racing, earn boatloads of money and gain much more fame.

Juan Pablo Montoya's benefiting already from it after just one year in NASCAR. And with all the other cross-series jumps happening recently, it seems that any driver can find an open door for the pursuit of money, fame and fun.

Maybe a NASCAR star will be the next to make the jump. I can see it now, Dale Jr. tires of the money and fame in NASCAR and makes the switch to IndyCar just for the fun of it. Big Smile [:D]
Posted: 10/18/2007 11:56:00 AM
Comments:
It is obvious to me why Bourdais would go to F1. NASCAR is big in North America, but really, it's F1 everywhere else. F1 to the rest of the world is the ultimate motor sport series. These days Champ Car is struggling to be a feeder series for F1. GP and F3 really are better suited. They race a lot of the same tracks. F1 is prestigious enough that drivers make careers out of being test drivers and hoping for a shot at a race seat. These are drivers who have done well and basically 'graduated' from a feeder series. Since moving to Europe several years ago, I have come to appreciate just how big the F1 gorilla is. But there are only 22 race seats. Champ Car drivers are really looking to become a standout so that they can become noticed by an F1 team.

Few drivers have the longevity of a Michael Schumacher. Even the smaller teams prefer a young, new (relatively inexpensive) driver to an older seasoned veteran past his prime. Villeneuve had to take a significant pay cut to go to Sauber, and nobody wants to do the same job for less money (that’s called a demotion). What would truly surprise me would be to have a foreign driver come directly from a foreign series into NASCAR. That would be a shock to see a DTM, WTC F3 or GP2 driver come directly to NASCAR. But, if Mercedes, BMW or Renault get involved with NASCAR, then I think it will be a when not an if. I would not be surprised to see a Japanese driver in a Toyota soon. One of the big differences between NASCAR and F1 is that regardless of how much sponsorship a driver brings, it does not guarantee, a start in a race.  

To say that there are only two teams competing for the championship year-after-year is not accurate. F1, like many sports goes in cycles. Ferrari and McLaren just happen to be the two oldest teams. Schumacher also won a championship for Benetton. , Ferrari was in a bit of a drought before the arrival of Schumacher. Villeneuve won the championship for Williams. Renault won the last two championships and last year McLaren was happy to finish a race. BMW and Red Bull really seem to be making progress. Safety wise, it’s really difficult to top F1. The tracks are inherently safer. There are long run-offs for each corner with gravel to slow the cars before the tire barrier.  The construction of the cockpit truly protects the driver. Kubica’s crash in Montreal reminded me of Geoff Bodine’s truck at Daytona.  That Franchitti walked away from his two air born crashes was not just luck. Yes, there was some luck, but again, those cockpits are designed to protect the drivers.
Posted On: 10/18/2007 11:56:00 AM
Billy, you put into words something I was wondering for a long time.  As a race fan, I watch anything that is auto racing, rather nascar, F1, IRL and so on.  Now that nascar has gone to the COT do you think you will see BMW, Renault, Honda, and the like try and enter nascar?  I think it would be interesting, and great for the sport, even though, most nascar fans while cry bloody murder that the sport is no longer "american."  If this does come to fruition do you see F1 becoming more popular in the US, and likewise nascar becoming more popular around the world?  Just random thoughts lets hear peoples ideas...also FYI for people looking for a good pregame for martinsville....11:30 on speed F1 last race for the championship, watch, you may like it
Posted On: 10/18/2007 11:56:00 AM
I think one thing overlooked is also the safety of the stock cars. Those open wheel cars are incredibly more fragile, faster, and they don't have roof flaps. Dario Franchitti was extremely lucky to walk away from his crash he had at Michigan, and I think that safety, as well as what you listed above, makes NASCAR very appealing to drivers. Plus, you're not traveling the entire globe every other weekend and it's a much more level playing field, F1 has 2 manufacturers that win basically everything every year whereas NASCAR has plenty of different winners.
Posted On: 10/18/2007 11:56:00 AM
Perhaps NASCAR is persuing these drivers rather than these drivers persuing NASCAR? What a great marketing angle and a great way to get into markets that otherwise would be impossible without them.

Doc.
Posted On: 10/18/2007 11:56:00 AM

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