Johnson backs current Cup age limit
Reigning Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has come out in support of young drivers under 21 years of age who are trying to compete in NASCAR's top series, saying the current age limit should not be changed
NASCAR is currently considering changing the minimum age limit to compete in the Sprint Cup Series, which is set at 18 years of age. The move is apparently aimed at promoting both the Nationwide and Truck Series, forcing young drivers to spend more time in these two series before moving up to Cup.
"I think that 18 should be the limit," Johnson said at California Speedway. "You can vote. You can go to war for your country. Why couldn't you drive a NEXTEL Cup car or Sprint Cup car? I don't see why that would be of anyone's concern or interest to say now 21 is the legal age. I don't understand that.
"Some of our best drivers that are coming along are young and they're in that age bracket. Yeah, they make mistakes, but that's part of being a rookie. You have kids going right out of high school to play in the NBA and to play in other pro sports. I think the age limit of 18 and the format we currently have is fair and works really well."
Currently there are no drivers under 21 competing in Cup, with Reed Sorenson turning 22 next week being the youngest of the field for the coming Daytona 500. However, there are a number of up-and-coming drivers under 21 who are seeking a move to NASCAR's top series soon.
Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Joey Logano is an example of drivers who would be affected by the move. The current Busch East Series champion is only 17 and is waiting until his next birthday in May to make his Nationwide Series debut.
Should the age limit change, Logano would only be able to race Cup until 2011 and would be forced to spend at least three seasons in the Nationwide Series. That would be probably far too long looking at his progress over the past few years.
Marc Davis, another JGR development driver is in a similar situation.
"Selfishly, we've invested a ton in Joey and in Marc," said JGR President J.D. Gibbs. "Part of that is an investment in the Nationwide Series. If those guys aren't able to run [Cup], there's less reason to invest in the Nationwide Series.
"We've talked to NASCAR about it, we've got some good conversations going on and I think we'll have something at the end of the day that will make sense for everybody."
Kyle Busch, currently a star in the Sprint Cup, won twice in 2005 in NASCAR's premiere Series before turning 21.
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