From the Marbles - NASCAR

From the Marbles

Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:25 pm EST

Which driver would you take to start a new team right now?

By Jay Busbee

Random Wednesday question that occurred during today's chat: assume you just hit the lottery and became a kajillionaire. Now, assume against all reason, that you decided to start a NASCAR team, and you've got the pick of the litter. You can sign any driver you like -- active, that is -- and your goal is to produce a consistent championship team for years to come.

So who would you take? You only get the driver, no fair bringing along their existing crew. But you can still hang onto their fanbase.

-The established champion in Jimmie Johnson, who's shown again and again that he knows how to win -- but could be on the downslope before long?

-The insanely talented but moody star in Kyle Busch, who's destined for greatness but also for some serious blowups?

-The marketing juggernaut in Dale Earnhardt Jr., who'll bring enough cash into your brand-new organization to make people forget about winning for awhile?

-Or somebody else like Carl Edwards, Juan Pablo Montoya, Joey Logano or Brad Keselowski, each with plenty of positives but plenty of negatives?

Have at it. Make your case in the comments. If this flies, perhaps "random question Wednesday" could become a regular feature. And if not, well, it's your fault.

Oh, and don't forget to name your new team. Go!

Related: Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski

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140 Comments

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  1. Gators #1 Nuff Said
    1. Posted by Gators #1 Nuff Said Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:29 pm EST

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    i Would take Jay Busbee LOL
    if not him Dexter Bean
  2. MarkN
    2. Posted by MarkN Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:40 pm EST

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    Jr because he is the only guy that can run like crap and still make a fortune off the guy.
  3. Kim
    3. Posted by Kim Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:45 pm EST

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    Wow...this is hard. I would want to choose Tony Stewart, but then he's 38 years old--above the age that most sponsors want to advertise their brand even though he's a winner and he still loves to race. But would that bring in the sponsor dollars needed to run a winning team? I wouldn't want to run a start and park team, and I don't see how even a kajillionaire could afford to run a team with no sponsors. If I would have to be the sponsor for my own team, then I would want to be the driver. Maybe I could get a sponsor for old, over the hill women...
  4. Jim T.
    4. Posted by Jim T. Wed Nov 11, 2009 3:03 pm EST

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    The answer is simple. Just turn it around and ask it like this. Which driver do you know for sure will get the job done if you give him a good crew chief he can work with and good equipment. Take your heart out of it and there is only one choice. The statistics will prove any other choice wrong.
  5. Doug C
    5. Posted by Doug C Wed Nov 11, 2009 3:33 pm EST

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    Greg Biffle. He may just be the most naturally talented guy out there who isn't a.) currently owning his own team or b.) a tool.
    Oh, and the only thing statistics prove is that a certain driver did a certain thing in a certain situation. You cannot project a guys previous years onto this situation-start up team, new crew, subject to sponsorship, the results will undoubtedly differ.
  6. Donald R
    6. Posted by Donald R Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:23 pm EST

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    I
  7. Phoenix H
    7. Posted by Phoenix H Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:42 pm EST

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    Johnny Jimson!
  8. Gary
    8. Posted by Gary Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:46 pm EST

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    The crew chief is more important. I take Chad Knaus
  9. Tigger
    9. Posted by Tigger Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:04 pm EST

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    I would take Kasey Kahne and Chad Kanus. To Kim's comment earlier, Jimmie is getting to that over 35 age bracket. Team name would be TGR Racing ROFLMAO
  10. packerd_00
    10. Posted by packerd_00 Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:16 pm EST

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    Carl Edwards would be my driver he is so naturally talented,he puts his heart into his manufacture and is a great spokesperson for the Sport.
    Doug-I like your pick by the way.
  11. packerd_00
    11. Posted by packerd_00 Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:19 pm EST

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    And my team name ofcourse would be "Money" Motorsports, my last name is Money so it would work.
  12. Reds24
    12. Posted by Reds24 Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:29 pm EST

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    packerd is picking Ford boys!! No way!! (just teasing pack)
    man, I'd want the young'uns on my team, Kyle and Bradski (although that's probably a dangerous combination and not in a good way).
  13. packerd_00
    13. Posted by packerd_00 Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:51 pm EST

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    Reds24-I know your joking Lol! in my book if you really had the chance to pick one driver as your center piece you gotta grab a driver you personally respect but also can get the job done.
    So you wouldnt pick Jeff.
  14. bajamilton
    14. Posted by bajamilton Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:14 pm EST

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    I'd take kyle Busch, then I'd go after an adult diaper manufacturer to sponsor the team. Then we put together a series of commercials with kyle wearing an adult diaper and carrying a rattle and throwing fits in different scenarios. We name the team" Kry Baby Racing" or KB racing for short so everything ties in. If nothing else the Kyle in a diaper swag would fly off the shelves!
  15. jr's #1 miss/fan
    15. Posted by jr's #1 miss/fan Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:35 pm EST

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    well I don't think it will be any surprise, but I think I will pick..... hmmmm...... let me see.......... UHHHH JR.....
    It would be Missy's GoMomma Racing........ He would definitely not want for ANYTHING........ Then I would also have Bradski, Biffle, (if he didn't already own his own damn team) Smoke.....
    If this is a double, get over it. Yahell is at it AGAIN and I'm gonna act just like yahell.
  16. campaignhack
    16. Posted by campaignhack Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:41 pm EST

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    Carl Edwards - Marketability and can drive the wheels off the car when given competitive equipment.
    Wilbur Past Racing (aka Mr. Ed)
  17. brinirmess
    17. Posted by brinirmess Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:37 pm EST

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    Please Jim, blow that Smoke somewhere else, we've all seen what JJ is capable of w/o Chad. Ever watched a NWS race with him in it. hahahahhahahaha DNF er
  18. brinirmess
    18. Posted by brinirmess Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:40 pm EST

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    I second that I'd take Chad first, the driver really would not matter much if the equipment and crew chief were fixed.
  19. kinggeorge
    19. Posted by kinggeorge Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:25 pm EST

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    I would have to go with a guy that has his career ahead of him, not coming around turn 4 headed to the retirement flag. That leaves a handful of capable drivers but Carl would be at the head of the pack. Like packard_00 says, he is committed 100% to his team and sponsors and he can drive the wheels off. Kyle is a tempting choice but until he grows a bush on his boyhood he is as toxic as Terrell Owens.
    Brini-- So your saying that Chad could make a champion out of Anybody? Like, David Stremme? Sideways Sammy Hornish? Scoot Speed? I think you'll have a hard time convincing folks of that. The #48 wins because they are a great team, not because of any one person. But Chad would be a great place to start.
    Missy---How is Jr. going to be able to drive if he's in traction from having to keep the boss happy?
  20. Mel d
    20. Posted by Mel d Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:39 pm EST

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    I'm I missing something. Didn't Tony pretty much prove he could do this already.
  21. Meltdown
    21. Posted by Meltdown Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:48 pm EST

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    Brad Kesolowski, for SURE! Being a kajillionaire i'd need a good tax writeoff! Seriously, though...Kyle Busch. He's a jerk now, but so were MANY drivers who ended up GREAT! Dale sr. and Darryl Waltrip to name 2. The kid is a natural, and WILL grow up some day, which will only make him batter.
  22. Chase n Dani
    22. Posted by Chase n Dani Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:57 pm EST

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    kinggeorge - I would have agreed with you about Carl but, now he's a newleywed and a baby due Feb. Those are big distractions... so that leaves Kyle. He eats, sleeps, breathes racing anything with wheels. Yes... he does have to harness that negative energy but, when he does, look out.
  23. jr's #1 miss/fan
    23. Posted by jr's #1 miss/fan Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:17 pm EST

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    Georgie - you just need to let the boss worry about that. I'm sure no matter what, as long as he puts a smile on my face, Jr will have a lifetime contract. Let the rest of the team drive. LMAO
  24. Hitman
    24. Posted by Hitman Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:39 am EST

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    They look like a bunch of BOZO'S dressed in their clown suits.
  25. RICK C
    25. Posted by RICK C Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:35 am EST

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    Jury is still out, for me.
    But, did someone not get the memo on monday about, sunglasses!?!

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