A true race car driver will race anything with wheels on it and many of the current Cup Car guys still run short track pavement and dirt any chance they get when they have an open weekend away from the big show. Is it fair to the Nationwide guys trying to work their way up through the ranks?? Yes and no...it may take away their chance to make the field and it probably raises the costs to compete successfully, but it also offers a chance to "learn from the pros" to the guys and gals that do qualify.
In the past the cup guys were called "Busch Whackers", (not referring to Kurt and Kyle) and I don't think they have come up with a new term as "Nationwide Whacker" doesn't really have a good ring to it, but I don't think that banning them from "playing in the minor leagues" would be a good thing. Where would you draw the line?? Some of them race off road on the side like Robby Gordon and some will jump into a dirt modified, midget or sprint car any chance they get. It may make the race a bit harder for the guys and gals working their way up through the ranks, but it makes their wins against the "Big Dogs" that much sweeter.
Same things happen in drag racing and every now and then some little known hotrodder with a dream will win a big meet and rock the world. I think it's better for a real racer to race and lose to a high dollar team than to race and win because the whole field is second rate. Yes I do root for the underdogs and it always makes me smile when they pull off the upset.
Old age and treachery will occasionally beat youth and enthusiasm and on those days the world is a better place.
![Wink ;)](http://www.vmknobs.com/Smileys/default/wink.gif)