The 2007 Season So Far - Todd Kluever and Scott Wimmer
In typical Roush fashion, Todd Kluever is being deprived of a full-time ride in any series this year. He is part-time in the Busch Series, splitting his #16 ride with teammate Greg Biffle. As of Darlington, he has competed in 7 races and has an average finish of 22nd, two DNFs due to wrecks and a best finish of 11th. Many times this year Todd has run incredibly well only to get caught up in somebody else’s mess. While racing for the free pass at Atlanta in the 17th position, Sam Hornish lifted his back tires off the racetrack on the backstretch and blatantly crashed him. To add salt to the wound, NASCAR awarded Hornish with the free pass even though he caused an obvious wreck to get it!
It is just a shame that Kluever gets the lousy end of a deal and his talent is wasted so Cup drivers can get more money (nothing against Biffle). Everyone knows how difficult it is to develop a driver if he cannot spend time with his crew all the time. In some ways I wish he could leave Roush Racing, but then the fear comes up that, much like Brandon Whitt, he will not be picked up by another team and drop into oblivion.
Scott Wimmer, after being screwed at Bill Davis Racing and unable to make much of McClure’s #4 car in the Cup Series, finally caught a break when Richard Childress offered to put him part-time in the Busch Series #33 Holiday Inn Chevy – an offer only a fool would refuse. Although I was hoping for a full-time ride, Scott seems very happy with what he’s doing and smiles more than I can ever remember.
In 6 starts, Scott has 3 top-10s and an average finish of 17.2, with a best finish of 7th at Nashville. A nice surprise came when Scott was placed in the #21 AutoZone Chevy when Kevin Harvick does not race it (though I kind of feel bad for Timothy Peters, who drove the car beforehand). His first race in it did not disappoint – he finished 10th at Richmond!
Both drivers have the potential to win this season if they can overcome the disadvantages of part-time rides. It should be exciting to watch!
It is just a shame that Kluever gets the lousy end of a deal and his talent is wasted so Cup drivers can get more money (nothing against Biffle). Everyone knows how difficult it is to develop a driver if he cannot spend time with his crew all the time. In some ways I wish he could leave Roush Racing, but then the fear comes up that, much like Brandon Whitt, he will not be picked up by another team and drop into oblivion.
Scott Wimmer, after being screwed at Bill Davis Racing and unable to make much of McClure’s #4 car in the Cup Series, finally caught a break when Richard Childress offered to put him part-time in the Busch Series #33 Holiday Inn Chevy – an offer only a fool would refuse. Although I was hoping for a full-time ride, Scott seems very happy with what he’s doing and smiles more than I can ever remember.
In 6 starts, Scott has 3 top-10s and an average finish of 17.2, with a best finish of 7th at Nashville. A nice surprise came when Scott was placed in the #21 AutoZone Chevy when Kevin Harvick does not race it (though I kind of feel bad for Timothy Peters, who drove the car beforehand). His first race in it did not disappoint – he finished 10th at Richmond!
Both drivers have the potential to win this season if they can overcome the disadvantages of part-time rides. It should be exciting to watch!
