NASCAR has a bunch of teams that live in what’s called “start and park” status. Essentially these teams are non-sponsored, ultra-low-budget operations that scrape by from race to race by qualifying at the tail of the field, running a lap or three, and then pulling off the course and quitting the race. NASCAR officials have to be given a reason as to why a car dropped out, and the excuses are usually pretty mundane: suspension problems, the motor is wounded, or whatever.
Why do they do this? A last-place finish can be worth nearly $30,000. Because the teams operate on a shoe-string, they are able to make this a profitable enterprise. NASCAR does not really discourage the practice because these racers help to keep the fields full. There have been races that would have started with short fields if it were not for the start-and-parks.
Recently, one guy took the practice to a new level. Racer Chris Cook, competing in the Nationwide race at Phoenix planned to be a start and park car. He went out and made one lap, but instead of pulling off after making a couple more laps, he was black flagged and forced off after one. Why the black flag? He had no pit crew, none. The pit box was completely empty and the rules state that a crew must be present. Seeing an empty stall, NASCAR officials forced him off the track and he was done. He collected more than $28,000 for his efforts.
AutoRacingDaily has all the details and it makes for a great read. Things are getting tight on the NASCAR tour these days and this story sheds some light on just how hard it is getting.
