From what I have seen, McDowell is more ready for Cup than any of the more famous open-wheelers migrating into the sport. He has a full year of ARCA compared to Dario and Jaques' handful of starts in fendered vehicles. And he was exceptional in the open wheel ladder system as well as in Rolex Daytona Prototype sports cars.

Besides, I am getting tired of seeing promising drivers go to Busch and get their budding career killed by the 'Whackers. With all the Cup drivers/teams dominating that series, what's the point? I'd rather be a 30th place Cup guy than a 20th place Nationwide driver.

If I was MW I would give Stremme a 2 year deal this year see how he runs in the 00 and if he does well, in 09 retire move him to the 55 and move McDowell into the 00 after a year in trucks. Then run McDowell in the Cup and Nationwide series. This all is of course based on sponcership. Right now all they have for next year on the 00 is Aaron's for the first 5 races.

I seriously have nothing against McDowell, but there is no way in hell he should be in a Cup car. ESPECIALLY @ Martinsville! I trust we all remember David Ragan there in '06. If he is going to run there, he had better be in every Nationwide and truck event up to that date.

[quote:e56286e2c2="nab2420"]If I was MW I would give Stremme a 2 year deal this year see how he runs in the 00 and if he does well, in 09 retire move him to the 55 and move McDowell into the 00 after a year in trucks. Then run McDowell in the Cup and Nationwide series. This all is of course based on sponcership. Right now all they have for next year on the 00 is Aaron's for the first 5 races.[/quote:e56286e2c2]Josh Wise or McDowell will end up in the #55 when Michael retires. Signing Stremme or another mid-pack veteran to a multi-year deal for a lot of $$ is a waste when MWR is already developing two young talents who could be very successful and would probably cost less at least initially.

Both Stremme and McDowell will tear stuff up. At this point it seems McDowell could be the real deal. Stremme at this point has shown no improvement at all imo.

When are you guys going to wake up and realize that ARCA IS the developmental series... NOT NATIONWIDE.

I think McDowell is as ready as any other "rookie" to enter Cup in the last few years.

if jarret doesnt get the 44 car into the top 35 will he stay til he use's all his provisionals?

with KU Busch giving up his starting spot this is a large possablity

I suspect DJ will get out of the car after those first five races regardless of whether he gets the car in the top 35 or not. If he still has provisionals left he could come back to use them later in the season at races that are important to UPS - he pretty much said that while he's retiring if UPS wanted him to race here and there for them down the road (probably while he's still under contract to them) he would do so.

I'm guessing they won't cheat this year at Daytona :wink:

[quote:a88a5b3391="E_Nordhoff"]Both Stremme and McDowell will tear stuff up. At this point it seems McDowell could be the real deal. Stremme at this point has shown no improvement at all imo.[/quote:a88a5b3391]

Good Point "E", but tearing up equipment and showing no improvement for over 25 years hasn't been an issue for Michael Waltrip.