NASCAR mergers will squash smaller teams

One thing we keep hearing about NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow is that it is supposed to make racing more affordable.

Virtually no modifications are allowed, so teams shouldn't need huge fleets of track-specific cars. They shouldn't have to spend exorbitantly on engineering and technology.

Smaller or new teams ought to be able to compete on equal footing with the established powerhouses.

Well, apparently not.

If this year's trend toward partnerships and mergers has made one thing clear, it's that team owners still believe races and championships will be won by the teams with the most resources.

And where do these partnerships and mergers leave smaller teams, such as Petty Enterprises and Wood Brothers/JTG Racing, or newer teams such as Hall of Fame Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing?

Well, even farther behind.

"Every team is going to do what they can to be competitive," defending Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said. "There is no doubt that having the fourth car out there is a benefit and is helpful. You bring in more capital, you have more resources, more people, another car on track for notes and experience and all those types of things." More at Tbo.com