Will NASCAR have a full field?

I absolutely DO NOT think that they should step in. They went through this problem just a couple of years back, and their steps didn't help. That is where the term, field filler came from. NASCAR would allow these fly by night teams to show up with one car, one driver, one set of tires, and like 3 crew members. Since they had no real worry of making the field, they would cruise around for one lap in qualifying, and never practice. Then once the race started, they would coast around under the first green flag lap, then retire from the race altogether. So it was all on embarrassing show, just so NASCAR could record in the record book that 43 cars started that race.

Now they would never admit it, but you know there HAD to be times were some team showed up with an oil-burner heap that wouldn't pass normal inspection on its best day. But they were waved on through, just to hit that magic 43. Of course this is all my own speculation, but i will never be convinced it didn't happen.

I do believe there will be 43 cars at every race this year...but I feel at least 4-5 will be field fillers. They'll run 3-4 laps then park it for the day and collect last place cash. It's not great but I think it'll be the only way Nascar will have full fields....just an opinion as always.

Probably not

There will definitely be field fillers, but I think this time around, its a bit worse shape than 2002-2003 when field fillers ruled the back of the field. Some of the races, like Daytona 500, Coke 600, and some other big time races will have 43 car fields, but other races wont, thats probably a guarentee unless a massive amount of field fillers come along.

And in terms of NASCAR stepping in. Unless they decide to change plans, and have a uniform field from Daytona to Homestead thats a lower number than 43, they shouldnt. For some of the small teams struggling to make it by, having a guarenteed spot in the field might be the best thing for them, as it will be instant exposure, even if its only during the starting field rundown, and the money that comes to running the race.

They will have a full field. The reason they will is that a few less teams will be showing up to qualify for the races.

So instead of something like 46 or 47 cars showing up, there will probably be 43 or 44 because even the small teams who are having trouble lining up sponsors know that if they can somehow get just enough money together to show up at the track, they have a great shot at starting the race, therefore getting paid even if they finish 43rd.

I'd say atleast for Daytona, but I'm sure there will be some Cup races, as well as Natioinwide and Trucks that will not have a full field. I think Nascar stepped in, in the past when there were hard times they might do something to the rules, who knows. We will just have to wait and see. But one thing for sure, you can't stick around long without sponsors, cause these races are expensive to compete in and you have to run good to keep the sponsors.

Go Dale Jr & Hms in 2009

well with al the mergers means there be less number of teams that don't make the race . I believe it is time to kill the top 35 rule.. race your way in or go home. also no more double dipping .. you can't race all the races in both in both series if there is enough entrees to fill the race with out them. . I also think in case of rain out .. they should have a random draw for the starting spot and pit spot.. if your the best you should be able to win from any spot .. to start up front ans be a great team only handy caps the rest of the field . To earn the pole and first pit pick is one thing .. you should not automatically get it because it rained and your was already #1 in point .. a random pick would sir the pot a little i think.

I don't think the economy has crippled NASCAR to having less than a 43 car field. Ironically this happened or was an issue a couple of years back but quietly went away.

I think for most of the races in 2009 they will have full 43 car field. The ones I see not having a 43 car field would be the west coast races just because its logistical nightmare. Its a long trip to California and lots of dollars just to get them there.

In that case, the Nationwide and Truck series should have 3 or 5 drivers missing. That's already the case for the Craftsman. If the matters grow worst, let Nascar give money to the poor teams. I can see that happening.

NASCAR should not intervine! I think we will have full ffields ttherewill just be cars that don't make very many races normally that will be in. James Hylton in the 08 will make races. Derrik Cope in the car he tried to start at the end of 2008 will make races. Front Row Motorsports will make races. I predict 36 fields of 43 cars.