rpm.espn.com: Move good for Nemechek

ESPN Network: ESPN.com \| RPM \| NBA.com \| NHL.com \| ESPNdeportes \| ABCSports \| WNBA.com \| FANTASY

Put the pedal to the metal in ESPN's
Fantasy Racing 2002.
Get your teams today!

Thursday, January 24
Move good for Nemechek
ESPN.com

We asked our users whether Nemechek's second-career win was a sign of things to come or if we've already seen the best of him. Here are some of the comments:

Joe didn't win the Busch series championship and most popular driver on luck early in his career. He's a proven winner and given the right equipment and team will breakthrough this season driving for Kmart.

Doug Chung
Ledyard, Conn.

In my opinion, Joe is on the brink of reaching the top of NASCAR's premier series, he shows a lot of talent and promise, and entering a ride in which was left vacant by a hard to handle (personality) driver, he should be well liked, and some of his pressure will be lifted. His "lame-duck" status at Andy Petree Racing, seemed to relax him all the way to Victory Lane.

Mike Jackson
Fonda, N.Y.

The best is still yet to come from Joe. He continues to show a keen ability to achieve success when faced with adversity. For the first time in his career he might have the chance to race with a competitive race car, every week. Haas-Carter gave Spencer the same opportunity, but his overly aggressive no-holds-barred temperament was too much of a hindrance to the car and the team. Joe's style should suit this team and his teammate much better.

Ron Pence
Lakeland, Fla.

I think Joe Nemechek's win at Rockingham shows that he can driver more than just a Busch car. For years, he has been a force to reckon with anytime he enters a Busch race, but never quite had the same magic on the Winston Cup side. I think going to the Travis Carter's operation will be a big boost for Nemechek. The 26 car showed just how strong it was last year with Jimmy Spencer winning two poles in the car, and Todd Bodine's strength in the 66 car as well. I think that Joe can get Travis back into victory lane, but I wouldn't expect much more than one win per season.

Matt Demey
Harrisburg, Pa.

He will win the Daytona 500.

Michael Dean
Ontario, Calif.

I think Joe has some good things ahead of him, he has proved he can win just needs a little more luck, I think he will have the best season of his career so far this year, and it couldn't happen to a more deserving person.

Chad White
Grand Rapids, Mich.

I think Joe Nemechek has all of the talent to win in NASCAR. However, I'm not sure that his move to Haas-Carter Motorsports is really a career-enhancing move.

Ed Woodson
Savannah, Ga.

I think that Joe may have to rethink his decision to go to Haas-Carter for three reasons. First, he's driven a Chevy throughout his career, now going to a Ford could be a setback. Second -- his team with Andy Petree Racing was beginning to jell and if leaving there was because of the question of sponsorship brings me to my third reason ... Kmart is now bankrupt and is liquidating everything ... so what did he gain? So how can Kmart say that this won't impact their sponsorship? They are driving for a defunct organization.

Kevin Ruggiero
Allentown, Pa.

When conditions fall into perfect alignment Joe Nemechek can win. So can 42 other drivers. Haas-Carter Motorsports seems to have a good organization so a new and different driver might be what they need to find that combination to win. That said, if Joe couldn't find consistency with an R&D team, I'm not convinced that this move will be much of a benefit to him. Also, no matter what Kmart is promising today, sponsorship issues could come into play during the 2002 season.

BJ Gadola
Poconos, Pa.

I love Nemechek this year. Joe's infinitely more talented than Jimmy Spencer. If Spencer can get a 16th out of the Kmart Ford look for Nemechek to finish in the top 12. That's right, I said it...top 12! I pick first in a 9 person Fantasy league, a league I won last year. If Joe's there for my second pick (behind top pick B. Labonte) I'm grabbing him. You should too!

Jeff Schmitz
Minneapolis

Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

	Driver Spotlight: Joe Nemechek Winston Cup off-season driver spotlight index