What NASCAR might look like in 2008
Unless you're a factory-backed, well-financed team, it's impossible to race against the big dogs. And as the day draws near when Toyota and, eventually, Honda will join the Cup ranks, look for an even greater disparity between the haves and the have-nots.
It's too early to tell which teams will jump to Honda, but considering Rick Hendrick has Toyota and Honda dealerships, I can see technical partners MBV/MB2 and Haas-CNC jumping ship and providing Hendrick with a view of Honda's or Toyota's operation. Roger Penske's United Auto Group also holds Honda/Acura dealerships.
If five automakers compete in Nextel Cup, each will have roughly eight teams. Until then, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota will have about 10 each. Teams such as Morgan-McClure will be lost.
This is purely hypothetical, but it's not too early to guess what the future could look like:
Chevrolet
Hendrick Motorsports. The bow tie powerhouse will field four solid teams.
Dale Earnhardt Inc. When Martin Truex graduates to Cup in 2006, DEI will have three full-time teams.
Richard Childress Racing. Although it will take time to rebuild, expect RCR to maintain three Cup teams unless Childress gets lost in his vineyards. There's always a possibility that DEI and RCR will combine forces.
Dodge
Evernham Motorsports. EMS has been and will continue to be the top dog at Dodge. Expect a third full-time team in 2006.
Penske Motorsports. Insiders expect Penske to stay put with Dodge, partially because of his Mercedes connection (DaimlerChrysler owns both Mercedes and Dodge). Perhaps the Penske-Jasper car, No. 77, could join with Toyota or Honda.
Joe Gibbs Racing. Gibbs never will be top dog at Chevrolet, but his outfit would be a solid addition for Dodge.
Petty Enterprises. The sentimental favorite already has switched to Evernham engines.
Ford
Roush Racing. Roush has five teams, and who can argue with the organization's success?
Robert Yates Racing. RYR puts the power in blue oval horsepower. Expect a third team in 2006.
Wood Brothers Racing. Moving and rebuilding the operation has saved this shop from going the way of Morgan-McClure and Bud Moore. A second team could come in the future.
Toyota
Ganassi Racing. Don't be surprised. Ganassi gave Toyota its first Champ Car race win.
Bill Davis Racing. BDR is hoping the time and effort put into Toyota trucks will be rewarded when Cup deals materialize.
Possibilities: Penske or Gibbs.
Honda
Too early to tell. [Editor's Note: Possibilities: Penske or Gibbs. Just as we saw with the move from Champ Car to the IRL, look for Honda to possibly take some of its IRL teams to NASCAR when it eventually makes the move over. The teams survive because of Honda money and they will have no choice but to move or go belly up. Possibilities include Andretti Green Racing, Rahal Letterman, etc.]