Making the second show first-class

Let the Buschwhacking begin!

There was a time when I took issue with Nextel Cup drivers' invading NASCAR's Class AAA tour, but I've changed my tune over the past year.

I'm not convinced the overall quality of Busch Series regulars is what it once was. A case in point is Greg Biffle, who finished 10th in points in the NASCAR Busch Series despite competing in only 27 of 35 events.

Biffle scored 154 points more than 11th-place J.J. Yeley (35 starts) and fell short of ninth-place Jason Keller (35 starts) by just one point. Carl Edwards missed the Nashville race and finished third in points, trailing only series winner Martin Truex and runner-up Clint Bowyer. Edwards finished 148 points ahead of fourth-place Reed Sorenson and a whopping 458 points ahead of fifth-place Denny Hamlin--and Hamlin proved during a limited Cup schedule with Joe Gibbs Racing that he's no slouch behind the wheel.

Cup owners have cherry-picked the Busch Series to such an extent that the leftovers simply can't provide scintillating side-by-side racing on a regular basis. But throw a handful of Cup regulars into the mix and the energy level escalates immediately. Busch regulars must rise to the level of the Cup drivers in order to compete.

For drivers on the way up, nothing could be better. A guy such as Hamlin gets a real feel for what it's like to race against Edwards or Biffle, the 2002 Busch champion, before making the full-time jump to Cup racing. Hamlin also gets the necessary seat time in preparation for his Cup career. Ditto for Truex, Bowyer, Sorenson, Yeley and David Stremme.

But there we go again with the vicious talent-grabbing cycle--five more Busch full-timers taking off for the bright lights of Cup. There's solace in knowing that they will all return to the Busch Series, along with Edwards, Biffle, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick. No one can complain about that. Watching the Hershey 300 or the Food City 250 is simply Cup Light.

NASCAR, the track promoters, the broadcast partners and the fans live for the big names. Having a star-studded cast sells tickets and raises ratings--and that raises awareness for NASCAR.

If no Nextel Cup driver runs the entire Busch schedule and dominates the series, the title could very well come down to a two-man race between Paul Menard and Johnny Sauter. They are promising young drivers with an edge, and they're certain to create excitement.

Lifers Kenny Wallace and Jason Keller certainly will add spark, as will youngsters Jon Wood and rookie candidate Todd Kluever. But without a regular influx of Cup talent, the Busch Series simply won't captivate fans.

From where I sit, Buschwhacker is no longer a dirty word.

speed read

The TV package beginning in 2007 is not nearly as lucrative as the NFL's, but the contract reported to be $4.48 billion over eight years is nothing to sneeze at. The length of the deal will provide much-needed network continuity, and the increased programming on ESPN in addition to race broadcasts will help fuel NASCAR's growth.

INSIDE DISH

Petty Enterprises continues on the road to recovery. The additions of Robbie Loomis and Bobby Labonte were tremendous coups, and now the addition of crew chief Todd Parrott for the No. 43 will be the piece that pulls the entire Petty puzzle together. Parrott, 41, follows in the footsteps of his father, Buddy, as a crew chief on the No. 43. Todd Parrott was instrumental in building winning cars for Robert Yates Racing and helped Dale Jarrett win the 1999 Winston Cup title. Parrott will work with No. 45 crew chief Paul Andrews, who led the late Alan Kulwicki to the 1992 championship. Former No. 43 chief Greg Steadman has been promoted to competition director. * David Hyder will be crew chief for Ken Schrader on the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing car. Hyder and Schrader developed a solid working relationship at BAM, and this move will enable Fatback McSwain to concentrate on coordinating the entire operation. BAM promoted Ron Otto, who had been Hyder's car chief, to crew chief on the No. 49. * Ganassi Racing has different drivers for its cars, but the crew chiefs will remain the same. That won't make much difference for rookie Reed Sorenson, but veteran Ganassi racer Casey Mears will get to work with Donnie Wingo--one of the most underrated crew chiefs in the garage. Wingo served as Jamie McMurray's crew chief for all three of McMurray's Cup seasons at Ganassi. Expect Mears to have a breakout season with Wingo calling the shots. * Travis Kvapil recently received his release from Penske Racing, but he is not expected to be out of work for long. Kvapil, 29, is the latest candidate for the No. 32 PPI Motorsports ride. Bobby Hamilton Jr. has not been re-signed.

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