Rookies

June 25, 1999 - Hello all. Buckshot Jones and the Buckshot Racing team announced last Thursday that they would return to BGN in the #00 Cheez-It® Pontiac. He hasn't had a great season in Cup, only making seven races so far with a best finish of 21st. The team will scale back his Cup schedule for the remainder of the season and run Busch when his schedule allows.

According to Jones, "The move from Busch to Cup has been tough. A reason for that is we, as a team, have very little Winston Cup experience, not to mention not having any set-up notes." He is currently 44th in the points standings. Since he will not run all of the Cup races or this Sunday's race he just may slip farther behind the points leader. However Jones refuses to give up saying that "I was taught never to quit on what I want out of life and to keep my head up and to keep giving 110% plus."

Jones's decision made me think about the Winston Cup Rookie of the Year battle. Jones, along with Dan Pardus, Elliot Sadler, Stanton Barrett, and Tony Stewart are the drivers this season contending for the Rookie of the year honors. With only five months away until the end of the 1999 season now would be a good time to review the rookie drivers to see which ones are in the hunt and which ones aren't. Since I've already covered Jones, I'll go on to Pardus who has not made a Cup start this year, and on May 28 was released from his ride. But don't fret Pardus fans he is still driving an ARCA car with Jim & Judie Motorsports. Next we come to Barrett, who has made one race finishing 30th. Barrett no longer has a Cup ride but has raced in 9 BGN races but has recently resigned from that ride.

With Jones, Pardus, and Barrett's almost non-existent rookie runs the battle is left between Sadler and Stewart. Sadler has started every race with a best start of 4th and a best finish of 10th, which puts Sadler in the 33rd spot in the points overall. Even with those stats Sadler's season is being out shadowed by…. Guess who? None other than Stewart, the open wheel sensation that is causing people to ask 'where did he come from?' Stewart is already 6th in the point standings, with an average start and finish position in the top 15. Stewart is leading by 53 points over Sadler in the Rookie race.

Well that what is happening in the Rookie race, two drivers gone, one scaling back, one doing good for a Rookie, and one who is so amazing that he just may walk away with a top ten finish in the points hunt overall. When all is said and done, I bet Stewart will look back and think wow what a year, lets do better next year. I also bet the fans will too. He has raised the bar on the expectations of a rookie and more will 'watch' him next year, and probably years to come. Don't count out Saddler even though he may not finish top 25 in the points, or win the Rookie honors but he is still a strong runner and doing pretty good among the 'big boys.'

One last thing before I go, reader Steve Boland from South Carolina asked about Lydon Amick's plans for moving up to Winston Cup racing. According to Team Amick, at the present time there are no plans. Earlier this season the team thought about doing five Cup races but seeing how Amick recently turned his seat over to Elliot Sadler those plans are on hold for the time being. Thanks Kerry (Team Amick) for that update.

Well, that's my report. Until next time, take care.
Nikki

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