Tuesday, October 18th 'What If' Question

When Kevin Harvick made the announcement that he would be merging his Nationwide Series program with Richard Childress Racing and disbanding his Camping World Truck Series operation, it put Nelson Piquet Jr. and Ron Hornaday on the market.

Both are now searching for rides for 2012, with Piquet Jr. a hot, young talent with sponsorship and potential. And Hornaday is the wily old vertan who just happens to be a four-time champion and the winningest driver in CWTS history. However, Hornaday hasn't been snatched up by a team yet and said last weekend in Vegas that part of it is because everyone is waiting to see where Piquet Jr. goes.

Said Hornaday, "You ain't going to do it on your talent," about owners calling him, knowing that needs to bring something more to the organization. Like money and sponsorship, which Piquet Jr. has but, "Nelson thinks it's a big game, he's going to learn that this isn't open wheel anymore. People are depending on jobs and everyone's waiting for Nelson to take his $3 million and see what he's going to do to land a job."

It leaves Hornaday waiting as well as he tries to win more races this season and contend for his fifth championship. Time might be running out and when the 2012 seasons starts many hope that the driver who has been with the series since it was born, will be there behind the wheel. While there will be plenty of young drivers to watch and even veterans like MIke Skinner and Todd Bodine to cheer for, the CWTS needs Hornaday.

But ...

What if Ron Hornaday doesn't have a truck ride next year, a) how would you feel and b) who becomes the face if the series? #nascar

@ARosser14 If Ron doesn't have a ride, it is a huge, huge blow to the series. Hard to imagine anyone taking over for him as the "face."

@HarpAmyStabler I would be sad. I think that maybe Ty Dillon or Parker Kligerman might become that face. Or, Todd Bodine? Johnny Benson?

@CCaldwellSM It's interesting how Harvick has him in the 2 truck now. He has a shot at the Championship in that truck! 2 for 2!

@Talon64 It'd be a shame that Ron would be out after proving he's still got it. There's nobody else to replace him as "the guy" either

Jason Remillard (via Facebook) Unfortunately, I think Kyle Busch becomes the face to the uneducated public. To the racing community, it's gotta be Todd Bodine.

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) It would be a crime if Hornaday doesn't have a ride for 2012 in the Trucks. He may find some success in Nationwide, as he's been competitive there before, but Trucks are where he's comfortable. If not, the lead "driver" to this series is Kyle Busch, despite not getting any points for wins. The lead driver that does earn points, well that's a toss up. I'd say Todd Bodine, then even Austin Dillon possibly. It's hard to say right now.

Nancy Nuce (via Facebook) Todd Bodine might not have a ride either. Sponsors don't care what you've done in the past. If they did, Johnny Benson would have a ride. Kyle can't even run a truck the full season cause the sponsors won't pay if he's not in it. As much as I hate to see it, I think both the truck and nationwide series have major problems and will be gone soon if something doesn't change.

William Hildebrand (via Facebook) The series would die if no Hornaday. Hornaday to Trucks = Dale Jr to Sprint Cup.

Monday, September 12th 'What If' Question

(This question was a fan submission)
Last week in Richmond Kevin Harvick made what some view as a shocking announcement.

Starting in 2012 his Nationwide Series team, Kevin Harvick Inc, will be merged with Richard Childress Racing, his Sprint Cup Series car owner. Further, there would be no more Camping World Truck Series teams out of KHI, they're shutting down. Harvick and wife DeLana would be stepping back and focusing on other opportunities and areas.

KHI has been a fixture in the CWTS for years with wins and championships collected like state coins or memorabilia. Ron Hornaday has become the driver with the most championships in CWTS history while at KHI and drivers like Elliott Sadler, Clint Bowyer and others have all won races behind the wheel of a KHI truck. No matter who or where they are, KHI has been a company to contend with.

Lately though they've had stiff competition from another Sprint Cup Series driver who has a CWTS team of his own, Kyle Busch. Last season it was the Kyle Busch Motorsports team that took home the owner's championship in just their first year of competition while a non KHI or KBM driver took home the driver's championship.

In the win column, that was KBM with eight and KHI with seven and most notably Hornaday struggled a year after winning his fourth championship. When KBM was formed, Busch hired Rick Ren who before then had worked for years with KHI and became the winningest crew chief in CWTS history as well as a champion. Ren left his crew chief duties for a management position with KBM.

The two teams have put on a show the last two seasons, going head-to-head nearly every weekend. They've made no bones about wanting to beat each other and drivers want to be behind the wheel of either team's trucks. Now, that won't be the case next year, as KBM will be front and center without their rival and current KHI drivers like Hornaday and Nelson Piquet Jr. are searching for rides.

But ...

What if Kyle Busch hadn't started a truck team, stole Rick Ren & regularly beat KHI trucks - would KHI still be disbanding? #NASCAR

@ARosser14 I doubt KBM has anything at all to do with the Harvicks' decision. If anything he'd be reason to keep going.

@zebmonkey idk what caused KHI to disband. Or if it was abt Kevin putting more into Cup and maybe he & Delana having more private time

@wijrsmokefan I think Kevin's focus is on championship; costs going up; and...I think they may feel it is time to start a family!

@ladybug388 probably not as they'd still probably be a total front running package team & not have the sponsorship issues. Also, there'd be sponsors available in the pot as Kevin could've picked up the people who r choosing to sponsor Kyle #NASCAR

@TJIngerson Yes - Hornaday is a champ and had trouble drawing sponsors. Sponsors want Harvick, but Harvick's time is valuable to him as he wants to win Sprint cup and wants all focus to be there. Ren was just a piece of the overall puzzle, but his departure didn't have any impact in this decision, in my opinon.

@cruetten K&D aren't people to accept failure&trying to beat KB would be a reason to stay-not quit. KB can't be the reason for selling.

@Racetake Ahh, Kyle's team is struggling for sponsors too. The future will tell just how hard that will be on the team.

@jlaracefan14 I doubted that KHI would be disbanding if KBM wasn't around! Let's face it KBM is on a level of their own that has KHI doing what is best, leaving the series to prevent more humilliation from KBM!

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) Whew. Tough call honestly. My mind is saying yes, but it still would be a hard decision no matter what. Maybe it could be the fact the KYLE is beating KHI and not Kyle Busch Motorsports. We know Harvick hates losing to him, so that's my thinking.

Jeff N Amy Stabler (via Facebook) I think that that is a tough one to answer. Who knows really.?. I tend to agree with what Dustin said too. But, I also think that maybe Kevin wanted out cause he wanted the focus to be on a championship too. That question is a very tough one to answer.

Nancy Nuce (via Facebook) Thanks for using my question! My short answer is "No". I think KH is all smiles and fun as long as everything is going well, but can't handle it when the going gets tough. He's in it for the fun and Delana gets stuck with the hard work. I think she got tired of doing it all while he & "Mother Function" acted like irresponsible schoolboys.