As the Daytona 500 looms on the horizon, Landon Cassill is excited to have his first signed deal for the entire NASCAR season. He will take over as the driver for the No. 83 Toyota, previously driven by Brian Vickers. While Cassill is still very much a rookie, the 864 points Vickers earned last year for the Red Bull team guarantees Cassill a spot in the Daytona 500 and the first five races of the Sprint Cup season.
Only 48 Starts
Cassill has been searching for a full time ride since he began driving in 2007. However, he’s only started 48 races during the past two Spring Cup Series seasons. With his best finish being 12th in Michigan, is he really the best replacement for Vickers? He isn’t likely to do much worse than Vickers’ 25th year end standings, but without ever starting the Daytona 500, Cassill is still very new to the game.
Most rookies starting the Daytona 500 have driven full time in the Nationwide Series for at least one season. Others have spent several seasons before even being offered a chance at a single Sprint Cup Series race. Since 2007, Cassill has only started 33 races for the Nationwide Series. I can’t help but worry that he’ll find himself at the back of the pack early on. Though he has 81 starts under his belt, it may not be enough to play with the big boys, especially in a race as big as Daytona.
On the plus side, many Sprint Cup Series drivers race full time in the Nationwide Series. A combination of 81 starts alongside some of the biggest and most experienced names in the racing industry may have taught him enough to be a major competitor. He wouldn’t be the first unknown driver to surprise NASCAR fans. With all the drama from Kyle Busch last season, a true underdog story would go a long way towards repairing a dwindling fan base.
If Landon Cassill can manage to at least finish the biggest race of the season, he’ll do better than many rookies. At the very least, it will give him a chance to build his confidence and find possible drafting partners. He will have to prove himself during the first five races if he hopes to continue qualifying the remainder of the season. Even a contract won’t help him if he doesn’t manage to qualify.
Team Name
At the moment, the new team doesn’t have a sponsor or name. The same investors who backed the failed TRG Motorsports will back the yet to be named team. With no real details only a few weeks before the Sprint Cup Series begins, I wonder how well organized the team actually is. They actually hope to field a second car, but have yet to announce so much as a driver.
Fans will have to wait near to February 26, 2012 to find out exactly what Landon Cassill’s team will be called, who is sponsor is and whether he will have a team mate. Hopefully, the new racing team will have everything together in the next two weeks. Last minute changes aren’t really ideal during Daytona Speedweeks when drivers need the time to practice and qualify.
Sources:
The Associated Press, “Cassill To Drive No. 83 For Yet To Be Named Team”
Expertise:
Crowder has been an avid fan of auto racing since she was old enough to watch TV, when she followed every move Kyle Petty made. She watches almost every Nationwide and Sprint Cup race, even though racing did seem better during the Winston Cup years.