The NASCAR garage has always been a pressure cooker of epic proportions, but whenever a new talent enters the mix, the heat rises to an unbearable level, and the old guard is the first to be ejected.
Over the past years in NASCAR, drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch have defined what has been an era of dominance. But as we know all good things must come to an end. But not to despair, as the sun sets on one generation, it rises again and brings with it another generation. Another crop of fresh talent, eager and ready to rewrite history and make their mark just as their predecessors did.
With Harvick stepping into retirement and Busch going winless since 2023 for the first time in his 2-decade long career, the winds of change are spreading through the NASCAR garages. This constant cycle of renewal, the old guard vs the new generation, keeps the blood in the heart of the racing world flowing, as it should.
The Changing Face of NASCAR: The Future is Here
Kevin Harvick, now retired from full-time racing in NASCAR, but an important voice in the world of racing, did not mince words when he discussed the impact that the new generation of talent arriving in the sport has on the drivers.
“Well, you start looking around,” Harvick continued, “So, you know, a new guy coming in like that, it makes everybody have to stand up and pay attention because somebody’s going to lose their seat when it’s all said and done.” But then, he gave a warning, indirectly aimed at Bubba Wallace that has caught everyone’s attention. Harvick summarized Wallace’s current situation at 23XI Racing in just six words – “Pressure from somebody new coming in.”
Harvick here is talking about the new talent rising through 23XI’s driver development program, Corey Heim. Heim’s arrival, combined with consistent performance from Tyler Reddick, who led the team to their first-ever championship race is indeed raising eyebrows within the 23XI camp. Not to forget, they’ve now added Riley Herbst, who has outperformed Wallace in 2 races out of 3 this season, paints a disturbing picture for Wallace.
While Reddick and Herbst are performing well consistently, Wallace, with only one, rain-shortened win to his name, is facing growing problems. “There’s just constantly pressure from somebody new coming in. If you don’t elevate your game and you don’t pay attention to the ovals and the road courses and you better block your whole life out for it, because if you don’t, somebody else is going to,” Harvick pointed out.
Jun 3, 2023; Madison, Illinois, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) looks on during practice and qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports
And this isn’t just about Heim, threatening the race seat of Wallace, this is about the inevitable. Bubba Wallace’s last win in the Cup Series came back in 2022 and last year he even missed out on the playoffs. Now one might argue that his future is secure given that he signed an extension with 23XI Racing last year. But, we’ve seen the tides change within the Cup garage before and Wallace by no means is out of reach.
For the fans of 23XI Racing and Toyota, the introduction of new developmental program drivers means good and exciting times ahead, but for veterans like Wallace, trouble is ahead. Nothing is guaranteed, not even your race seat.
With the rise of drivers like Christopher Bell, Corey Heim, and Toni Breidinger in NASCAR, it shines a light on the Toyota Gazoo Racing’s robust driver development program. This raises the question, where is its Ford equivalent?
The Battle for the Future: Ford vs Toyota
Once a powerhouse in developing young drivers, the Ford Academy has since fallen off the map. While Toyota is actively investing in the future of its racing, Ford looks to be missing out. Toyota’s holistic approach with young driver development is now showing results. Christopher Bell has become a household name in NASCAR, winning back-to-back races and Corey Heim now integrated into 23XI Racing.
Compared to this, Ford’s development driver program is nowhere near the level of success Toyota’s program is having at the moment. Once a breeding ground for future champions, Ford has struggled to produce consistent results in the recent past. While they still have talented drivers in their program, they lack a driver development system like Toyota, which can help them with long-term success. Or is it simply the case of relying on established veterans to carry the torch and neglecting the young drivers who are the future?
Imagine a future, where Toyota has a roster of successful drivers in the NASCAR field while the American manufacturer struggles to keep up. This could lead to an imbalance in the sport, which can affect the viewership and interest from the fans. Will Ford wake up and realize the severity of the problem or will they continue to watch from the sidelines as Toyota takes the flag every time.
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