NASCAR: Part 3: What’s RIGHT with NASCAR? – Decorated veterans

It’s officially time for part three of “What’s RIGHT with NASCAR?” as I discuss the pack of decorated veterans that keep the sport moving on Sundays! Hold on next generation; the veterans are ruling this roost!

One. Week. Closer! We are creeping even closer to some racing on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway! Less than a month from now, it will be time for race teams to get locked and loaded for the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season!

In addition to moving forward toward the Daytona 500, I want to move forward with positivity! Keeping that in mind, it’s time for part three of “What’s RIGHT with NASCAR?”! If you haven’t followed the first two pieces of the series, you can read part one, “The Introduction”, by clicking here, and part two “The Fans” by clicking here.

Now that you’re all caught up, it’s time to get into our next topic regarding what NASCAR has going right for it!

Everyone is caught up on the new generation of drivers, me included, but one generation of competitors is getting overlooked. While the future stars play a huge role in NASCAR moving to the next era, the youngsters can wait — for now.

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Today I want to discuss the variety of decorated veterans racing on Sundays.

Over the last few years, the sport has stood still as legendary figures such as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have walked away from the spotlight to dabble in other ventures. Their influence is irreplaceable, but what goes overlooked is a class of solid veterans carrying the torch in the modern era.

The likes of Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski continue to mold a strong foundation for the sport as it continues to morph into a new product over the course of the next decade.

It’s no secret that the next generation is on the horizon, but until the product changes, some old names will have to carry the banner.

Luckily for us, these drivers are some of the brightest stars the sport has ever seen.

For instance, Busch may be one of the most talented race car drivers who have ever held a steering wheel in a 3,400-pound stock car. With his ability to win at any level, any track and in any condition, he has already cemented himself as a future Hall of Famer and a perennial title contender.

In an era during which personality is hard to come by, Busch has separated himself, playing the perfect antagonist on Saturdays and Sundays. The 2015 Cup Series champion isn’t alone.

Fellow champion Keselowski has also left his mark on the NASCAR history books. Winning both an Xfinity Series and Cup Series championship, he gives the vibe of a throwback personality that could hang with any generation of race car driver.

“Bad Brad” has worked his way to the top through perseverance and hard-nosed racing, reminding race fans that with enough talent, anyone can truly become a champion at the top level of the sport.

If these guys aren’t enough, don’t worry — there are more.

First, you have Harvick, an aggressive, hot-headed Cup Series champion who has continued to win races since the early 2000s. He is as throwback as it gets on the Cup Series circuit. Taking over for the late Dale Earnhardt, he has been a constant at the Cup Series level for nearly two decades.

In addition to the champions listed above, we can’t forget the Tom Brady of this generation, Jimmie Johnson, who began his full-time Cup Series career in 2002 and has blazed a legendary path since. He won his first championship in 2006 and went on to win five consecutive titles, marking the most impressive run in NASCAR history.

Johnson has since added two championships, tying him with legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. Johnson rightfully belongs in the “GOAT” conversation and is an all-time talent who is often overlooked in the Cup Series garage.

Still not enough? There’s more.

How about Joey Logano, the 28-year-old phenom who has won 21 races and a championship before the age of 30? How about Martin Truex Jr., a driver once forgotten who joined an independent Furniture Row Racing team that then aligned with Joe Gibbs Racing and won a championship?

What about Ryan Newman, a guy who looked to be a breakout star in the mid-2000s? He continues to remain relevant at the highest level of stock car racing on the planet. What about Kurt Busch, a former champion who has battled personal issues in front of our eyes yet continues to win.

Oh, don’t worry, the list continues. Don’t forget Denny Hamlin, a former Daytona 500 winner who has won at least one race in 12 of his 13 seasons at the Cup Series level. Clint Bowyer, a dirt racer from the Midwest who has struggled throughout his career, remains one of the best personalities in the garage.

The point I’m getting to is that in a time where the next generation is already being praised for accomplishments they have yet to earn, we have a variety of aging veterans who continue to whoop up on the youngsters on Sundays.

It’s easy to get caught up in the madness of new young faces taking over the sport, and NASCAR has done a solid job of crafting a solid field of veterans along the way.

Like most things, humans love a shiny new object, so the old-school veterans aren’t nearly as flashy as your favorite 20-something race car drivers. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the stars of today are being overlooked and likely won’t be appreciated until they’re gone.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed part three of “What’s RIGHT with NASCAR?”! Join me next week as I discuss the new generation of talent lurking in the shadows! The future is very bright for the sport, and the next class of stars is just around the corner!