Daytona's rain cost Carlsbad's Said dearly
By: MARWAN RAZOUK - Staff Writer | ∞
Boris Said calls it a useless show car.
But the damages suffered to his Sobe/No Fear Ford Racing team last weekend at the famed Daytona International Speedway go beyond losing his now-obsolete, restrictor-plate race car because of NASCAR's implementation of the Car of Tomorrow.
After rain canceled qualifying for last Saturday's Pepsi 400 Nextel Cup Series race in Daytona Beach, Fla., the team co-owned by the Carlsbad resident Said, Mark Simo and crew chief Frank Stoddard saw itself on the outside looking in for the first time since it debuted at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma last year.
Said was atop the qualifying charts and locked into one the 43 spots in the race after 39 of the 53 cars attempting to qualify made their runs until rain showers spoiled No Fear's party.
NASCAR's rules state that unless all of the cars attempting to make the field make a qualifying pass, all qualifying times are disregarded and the field is set based on the current points standings.
As a "go or go-home team" No Fear was sent packing; the top 35 leaders in car owner points, past champions, race winners from last season and those with most qualifying attempts this season take precedence.
"I'm just disappointed; we worked really hard and probably would have won the pole," the 44-year-old driver explained, showing his frustration. "We would have backed-up last year's pole and would have shown (potential sponsors) what we can do."
Last year, Said started from the pole and finished fourth -- the career best finish in a non-road-course race for the road-course specialist and a big step in showing the NASCAR world he is capable of more than just one discipline.
For an upstart part-time organization such as No Fear Racing, exposure and impressing potential sponsors means everything in the quest to survive and gain full-time status, something a second-consecutive pole at the Pepsi 400 could have delivered.
"It hurts a little more because it was the Pepsi 400 -- our partner (Pepsi) with the energy drink -- and we could demonstrate the effort to them," said Simo, the founder and chairman of No Fear and Spy Optics. "Plus, it's Daytona."
Added Said: "I just wish Pepsi would take notice and step up and say, 'Let's do some more races.' We get so much fan support and exposure for a part-time team."
Said is not exaggerating; his devoted fan base of "Said Heads" are among the most noticeable in the series, frequently drawing attention from television crews.
In addition, Said was on his way to do a taping of Monday's "NASCAR Now" on ESPN, where he serves as an analyst.
The blow of lost exposure wasn't the only blow dealt to the team over the weekend.
No Fear lost valuable track time from practices, the entry into the race and the opportunity to win (the ultimate lightning rod for attracting sponsorship), as well as a shot in next year's Budweiser Shootout, an exhibition race and precursor to the Daytona 500 in February, assuming they would have held onto the pole.
Said would like to see a change in the rules for qualifying but did not specify any preferences, as long as less than 35 teams are locked in on points.
"There's some big sponsors missing races and they need to look at that," he said, adding that big budget Team Red Bull has fielded two cars that have regularly missed races this season. "It's an outdated system; NASCAR needs to take a look at that."
The system is something Simo, as a car owner, knew could be a threat to part-time teams dependent on making it on time.
"We've always been painfully aware as a part-time team that weather is a factor, especially at Watkins Glen," said Simo of the road course in upstate New York, No Fear's next race entry.
Simo said that the possibility of Said driving for a team locked in the top 35 in conjunction with No Fear at Watkins Glen in August is not entirely out of the question, but declined to discuss details.
For now, Simo is excited about the mythical start to NASCAR's version of the Hot Stove League in baseball or "silly season," the time when sponsorship and driver changes come into discussion for next season.
"So far there's been a few curious (suitors) but nothing serious," Simo said.
"But just when nothing's happening, all of a sudden things shuffle. Right now we're in position to capture some of that budget if it comes along."
For Said, the supportive comments made by fellow-drivers Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin -- currently the top two in the points -- were nothing but a side note.
"I'm flattered by that," he said, "but I'm a racer and I want to race."
- Contact staff writer Marwan Razouk at mrazouk@nctimes.com.
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What? wrote on Jul 12, 2007 11:27 AM:This is the biggest peril of part time racing in NASCAR. Even if the top 35 rule were gone, as it should be, Boris and the Sobe No Fear Ford team wouldn't of made the race because qualifing was rained out. Which is a shame because he had at least a top ten car and a real good chance of holding onto the pole. I will continue to root for Boris and the Sobe No Fear Ford when they show up but they really need to find a sponsor that can afford to sponsor a full time campaign for the Sprint Cup next year. Maybe see about a two car team, Simo is no slouch behind the wheel.
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