Jimmie Johnson: “How about those young guys!”
Ahead of the 2018 season, the talk was the youth movement. Out with the old and in with the rookies. These young drivers are primed to be the stars of our sport.
Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, Brian Vickers, Bobby Labonte and several other veterans have all left the sport in just the last 3 years.
If you look year or two further you’ll find names like Jeff Burton and Mark Martin.
Yet, the youth movement virus has been cured by the 42-year-old of Kevin Harvick. Back-to-back wins for the old guys at Atlanta Motor Speedway and now Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
However, it’s really beyond the winner’s circle. The top-five and even the top-ten have been dominated by the veterans in the previous two weeks of racing. (Daytona doesn’t count for all sort of measuring stick.)
The new NASCAR youth movement has been somewhat pushed on us. The marketing materials tend to feature the future stars and not the current stars. That was an argument that Kyle Busch made in the off-season.
Of course, in order to be asked to participate in NASCAR marketing you have to be known for saying yes to things. That was the counter-point that Blaney offered to Busch.
For 2018, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher and Darrell Wallace Jr are the only 3 drivers under 25 years young to claim a top 5 in 2018.
The youth movement is certainly here. It just might take them a bit longer than expected to cycle out the remaining veterans.
Veteran drivers comment on the youth movement after Las Vegas
Jimmie Johnson: “How about those young guys! Oh wait… a 42 year old won. And won for the 2nd time this year… man I’m happy to be 42.”
Tony Kanaan: “I know the feeling bro.”
Kevin Harvick: “Checkered for the old guys!! With age brings wisdom!!”
Las Vegas
1. Kevin Harvick (42)
2. Kyle Busch (32)
3. Kyle Larson (25)
4. Martin Truex Jr (37)
5. Ryan Blaney (24)
6. Brad Keselowski (34)
7. Joey Logano (27)
8. Erik Jones (21)
9. Paul Menard (37)
10. Aric Almirola (33)
Las Vegas Avg: 31.2
Atlanta
1. Kevin Harvick (42)
2. Brad Keselowski (34)
3. Clint Bowyer (38)
4. Denny Hamlin (37)
5. Martin Truex Jr (37)
6. Joey Logano (27)
7. Kyle Busch (32)
8. Kurt Busch (39)
9. Kyle Larson (25)
10. Chase Elliott (22)
Atlanta Avg: 33.3
Daytona
1. Austin Dillon (27)
2. Darrell Wallace Jr (24)
3. Denny Hamlin (37)
4. Joey Logano (27)
5. Chris Buescher (25)
6. Paul Menard (37)
7. Ryan Blaney (24)
8. Ryan Newman (40)
9. Michael McDowell (33)
10. AJ Allmendinger (36)
Daytona Avg: 31
More
Related: Kevin Harvick’s rear window at LVMS
Related: Blaney responds to Kyle Busch’s marketing comments
Related: Kurt Busch on the free pass for young drivers
Related: Veteran drivers comment on the push of young drivers in NASCAR marketing campaigns
Related: “Jimmie Johnson should be our most popular guy because he’s won 7 championships.” – Kevin Harvick
Links
Kevin Harvick | Atlanta | LVMS | NASCAR | Shane Walters
