NASCAR - Must be 21 to race in the CUP?

[onlooker]

It looks like it could be. They are looking to raise the minimum age limit from 18 to 21 for drivers in the Sprint Cup. Do you think this is a good move? Or will hurt them in the future?

Report: NASCAR could raise minimum age for Cup drivers to 21

ESPN.com news services
Updated: January 17, 2008, 4:17 PM ET

In the United States, 21 is the legal drinking age. Now it might also become the minimum age for drivers in the Sprint Cup Series.

NASCAR is considering raising the minimum age for Sprint Cup drivers from 18 to 21, according to a report on the Charlotte Observer's Web site. Drivers must currently be 18 to compete in the Cup, Nationwide and Truck series; if the age were raised for Cup, drivers between 18 and 21 would still be eligible to drive in the Nationwide and Truck series, a NASCAR source told the Observer.

NASCAR is concerned that young drivers are being pushed into Cup competing too soon. Spending more time in the other series would give them more time to mature and develop, the Observer reported.

Only two drivers have won Cup races before turning 21: Kyle Busch won at California and Phoenix when he was 20 in 2005, and 20-year-old Donald Thomas won at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta in 1952. Reed Sorenson, who drove in Cup races last year, will turn 21 on Feb. 5.

[hawk 5]

No, if they can get it done let'em run.

[Wrigley]

I like the move let these guys prove themselfs for a season in nationwide before joining the big boys.

[louisvillekid]

i think they should have to prove themselves for a few years before they compete in the big league. i think we all know how good careless and reckless young regular young drivers are, even if these guys have been racing go-carts and such since their youth,

[onlooker]

I like the move let these guys prove themselfs for a season in nationwide before joining the big boys.

Are they not required now to start in the Busch...errr...Nationwide series before moving up? I am not sure.

If not, I think they should get a season under their belt before moving up. But if they can by 19 or 20, why not give them the shot in the Winston...errr....Nextel....errr....Spri nt Cup?

[hawk 5]

Are they not required now to start in the Busch...errr...Nationwide series before moving up? I am not sure.

If not, I think they should get a season under their belt before moving up. But if they can by 19 or 20, why not give them the shot in the Winston...errr....Nextel....errr....Spri nt Cup?

I think it's up to the owner of the race team.

[Wrigley]

I think it's up to the owner of the race team.

I pretty sure its all up to the owner to

[rugbybdyb]

This sport is very expensive to get a driver going so if the owner wants to give them the shot and believes in them, who cares how old they are as long as they can drive and not endanger anyone else then let em drive. Why Nascar continues to try and change things amazes me, why fix something that is so popular I understand tweaks but they will see a drop off in fans if they keep changing.....plus having the younger drivers gets younger people into the sport since these people are closer in age and not the sterotypical red neck good old boy that Nascar was used to producing.