As the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season has hit full swing, there are several proverbial names in NASCAR who have yet to accelerate. Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Jeremy Mayfield, and Ryan Newman have produced dismal results thus far in 2006.
When Kurt Busch chose to leave Roush Racing and join Penske Racing, it was apparent that he may encounter some growing pains, especially when you consider how successful Roush Racing and Ford was in 2005 compared to the erratic performances of the Dodge Charger and Intrepid. But what Busch has experienced so far in 2006 has been more than just growing pains; it's been more like severely excruciating throbbing pains. In Atlanta, Busch and the #2 team decided to give the Dodge Charger a shot and it seemed to be the numbing cure the team needed, but an unpleasant incident with his heated rival Kevin Harvick ended all optimism of a strong finish. After the lap 125 restart, Harvick was forced up the track and into Busch. Busch would make contact with the wall, damaging his aero balance, which resulted in a 37th place finish. Busch's aggravation was obviously directed towards his adversary Harvick, as he allegedly shouted out obscenities over the radio. This isn't the first time Busch and Harvick have butted heads. Harvick has been highly critical of Busch's attitude ever since his run-in with Jimmy Spencer back in 2003.
Once Busch cools down a little, he'll realize that the impending schedule really favors him and the #2 team. Busch, as well the #2 team has had a favorable history at Bristol, Martinsville, and Phoenix. And with the Dodge Charger appearing to be turning the corner, Busch may have a respectable run at Texas. I wouldn't expect for Busch to inhabit the 27th spot in the Nextel Cup standings for too long.
Speaking of Kevin Harvick; his 2006 campaign has been less than stellar to say the least. As his teammates Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer seemed to have found an auspicious balance, Harvick and the #29 team are on the verge of a fall-out. With the rumors swirling around that Harvick is Toyota's future poster boy, speculation of Harvick's future with Richard Childress Racing has increased. And the more the season progresses, the more of a forgone conclusion it seems to be. The April deadline that both Harvick and Childress have set is looming, and sitting 23rd in the standings is intolerable. The next two or three races will be crucial for Harvick and Childress and the future of their alliance.
Roush Racing teammates Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards were expected to be solid championship contenders in NASCAR's Chase for the Championship. Despite strong showings, Biffle has been unable seal the deal. He led the most laps at California and Atlanta, but a blown engine and an ill handling car forced him to sub par finishes. Currently, Biffle is 21st in the Nextel Cup standings. Next week's race at Bristol will be key for Biffle, especially since Martinsville (a.k.a. Biffle's Achilles heel) follows. For Edwards, he just needs to survive Bristol and Martinsville, as neither of those half-mile tracks have been his forte. I fully expect Edwards and the #99 team to redeem momentum at Texas.
For Dodge drivers Ryan Newman and Jeremy Mayfield, watching Kasey Kahne cruise to victory at the fastest track in NASCAR had to be agonizing. For Newman, it was a slap in the face considering that he has been fielding the 2004 Intrepid in hopes of proving that the Charger is inferior. Newman has yet to show any progress aerodynamically since switching to the 2004 Intrepid, in fact his results have actually waned. Maybe it's time for Matt Borland and the boys to bring out their dormant Charger body styles. As for Mayfield, he was forced to witness Kahne dominate the race at Atlanta with the team that he had made the Chase for the championship with in 2004 and 2005. That could be considered as a right jab to the face. Mayfield, who has been stuck with Evernham Motorsports' former part-time R&D team, has suffered through a miserable start to 2006. Even his new teammate Scott Riggs and the #10 team have shown promise in 2006, as they are two spots higher than Mayfield in the Nextel Cup standings despite missing the Daytona 500. Maybe the writing is on the wall for Mayfield and his tenure with Evernham Motorsports. Here is an idea, Mayfield to the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet.
