September 13, 2004
Articles : Columns : Reach Around Rumblings :

Another 'Bubba' in NASCAR... God Help Us!

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Well, it broke on HBO’s ‘Real Sports w/Bryant Gumbel’ a few weeks ago and was made true (to the Freak Nation at least) on Friday night at the AMA Motocross autograph session in SoCal.

One certain Cup/Busch team owner would like to sign 125cc Motocross Champion, James “Bubba” Stewart, to a TEN year NASCAR contract.  Eh hem, yes… let me clear my throat and make that especially vivid.  A TEN YEAR CONTRACT!!!!!

Now, the kid definitely has talent and just may be the best rider to hit the Motocross/Supercross scene EVER… yep, better than McGrath, better than Carmichael (maybe – we’ll see next season though), better than Rick Johnson, Jeff Ward, Marty Smith and the like.  He will make the jump to the top class, 250cc, next year and the reality of Bubba’s talent will be seen… can he indeed run with the big boys?  Based on test sessions so far, HELL YES!

Back in the mid-90’s, SX Champ Jeremy McGrath was given the opportunity to drive an IndyCar – and this is when IndyCar was the top series in the US (yes, larger than NASCAR back in ’94 & ’95… pre-split).  Whether he took that chance or not, I am unaware.  However, his decision to remain in two wheels was a smart one.  MX/SX was what Jeremy knew best, it’s what he was raised doing and it’s what he was extremely good at showcasing (8 Pro Championships in total). 

Now I’m not saying that Jeff Ward (Multi-time MX/SX Champ) was wrong in moving to the IRL when he had the opportunity, because he did end up with a win to his credit.  And heck, he made the switch after he had retired from MX.  But for the time being, he hung it out in no man’s land, away from what he excelled at, away from what made him a superstar and pursued an entirely new and arguably dangerous adventure.  Yet, it was not the worst decision anyone could make and what an exciting opportunity to do so… but where is he now?  Back in two wheels, SuperMoto style.  That is where Wardy belongs.

Fast forward to Bubba and whether or not he will race stock cars.  The contract would be extremely lucrative, it would be a great challenge and I’m sure this owner would love to enhance NASCAR’s fledgling Diversity Program with such a star name.  BUT, not only does the question arise whether or not a contract can be honored by any team these days for all 10 years right from the git-go, it’s also questionable as to whether or not the kid can do it!  It’s not the easiest thing to strap into a 3500 lb. hunk-o-metal, let alone do so after piloting a tricked out mere 200 lb. bike your entire life.  There is the weight issue, control issues, handlebars vs. steering wheel and many, many more.

What I would want most is for Bubba to prove me wrong… I just don’t think it can be done.  No one can learn NASCAR in a day… some can’t even grasp it after several years!  Wardy had reasonable success in IndyCar, but remember those cars are more sophisticated and overall may handle slightly easier than a stock car… slightly.  And, they weigh much less.  Travis Pastrana has had reasonable success in Rally and Sports Cars over the last two years, but the key word there is reasonable.

This is all speculation and no one really knows what the future holds in this story except the Stewart family.  I just don’t want NASCAR to get so desperate for their Diversity Program to succeed that they ruin a HUGE talent in one discipline in order to fill the void in their own. 

Bubba, please stay in Motocross where you are on your way to becoming THE biggest name EVER!  IF you absolutely feel the need to make a change, let’s hope you will have fulfilled all your goals in 2-wheels first.