BRISTOL, Tenn. – Jason Keller is accustomed to facing long odds.
In each NASCAR Nationwide Series race, the South Carolina native must compete against drivers and teams with more money and manpower.
Keller understands why Sprint Cup drivers enter Nationwide races, yet it doesn’t make his dilemma any easier.
“I’ve always said that this series needs some of the Cup guys. But I think when you have too much of a good thing, then it becomes a problem,” Keller said.
For the few remaining independent Nationwide teams, the problem has been clear for years. From financing and experience to extra practice time each week, the Sprint Cup gang has a huge advantage.
“There are [Nationwide] races that we need Dale [Earnhardt, Jr.] and Tony Stewart in, but we need to be sure we take care of the guys who are running all 35 race and make sure we can keep good sponsors for our race teams,” Keller said.
“They’ve taken over a lot with their race teams, but we still need their help to promote our series.”
Nine Sprint Cup regulars, including defending champion Clint Bowyer, are entered for today’s Scotts Turf Builder 300. Greg Biffle was forced to pull out of the race after suffering minor injuries in a boating accident earlier this week.
“When you have 20 of those [Sprint Cup] guys down here, it becomes a problem,” Keller said. “There has to be that good mix. I’ve always said if there are 10 or 12 of them, bring them on.”
Through the first three races of the season, Keller ranks ninth in Nationwide points. That’s good news for longtime Nationwide team owner Gary Baker.
“When the odds are stacked against you, you just need to dig a little deeper and work a little harder,” Baker said. “We’ve still got some fine tuning to do. We’re not in the top five, but we’re not gonna quit until we get there. We won’t be satisfied with anything less.”
Six of the top 10 drivers in Nationwide points are Sprint Cup regulars. That dominance has actually decreased this season.
Few drivers have a better understanding of the complexities involved in Nationwide racing than Keller. n addition to holding the record for most starts in the series with 459, Keller leads all Nationwide drivers in earnings with over $12 million.
Keller has built that resume despite driving for single -owner teams his entire career.
“You really have to be sure everyone understands how good you’re doing,” Keller said. “It’s hard to go tell a sponsor we finished ninth but we were the best of the Nationwide-only teams. It’s hard to keep the sponsors motivated when ninth is a huge accomplishment.”
Baker, who has a sponsorship deal with Kleenex, credits the communication between crew chief Todd Gordon and Keller for the strong start by his team.
“Before the season, I gave Jason a blank sheet of paper and said pick your crew chief,” Baker said. “Jason said Todd, Todd and Todd.
“We’re tickled with the way that has worked out. We feel like we have a good combination, and it’s got to start with the crew chief and the driver.”
Many longtime Nationwide fans continue to hope that NASCAR officials will eventually devise a plan to assist the independent teams. Keller remains focused on the weekly battles.
It’s a tough thing to do, but nobody has thrown their hands up or thrown the towel in,” Keller said “We’re just trying to do the best we can.”
Three drivers from the Mountain Empire hope to qualify for today’s Nationwide event: Eric McClure, of Abingdon; Danny O’Quinn, of Coeburn; and, Brad Teague of Johnson City.
agregory@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2544
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