Atwood responds to age requirement
By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
December 14, 2001
5:00 PM EST (2200 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. -- If NASCAR handed down the new minimum age rule a few years ago instead of Thursday, Casey Atwood might not be driving in Winston Cup right now.
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Casey Atwood
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Atwood, now 21, was 17-years old when he first garnered attention in the Busch Series by winning the pole at Nashville Speedway USA in 1998. He remains the youngest ever to accomplish that feat. He is also the youngest driver to ever win a race in that series, which he did at Milwaukee in 1999 when he was 18-years old.
Recognition and progression still may have come to the talented Atwood, but the new rule stipulation would have slowed down his progress. The new ruling states that all drivers in NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck and Weekly Touring divisions must be at least 18-years old to compete. Winston Cup was the only division that already had the rule in place.
"Well, I'm sure glad they did it after I started racing," Atwood said Thursday night. "I know what they're trying to do. They (NASCAR) want to make sure you have the right background and experience to be racing."
Atwood, who will be taking over the No. 7 Dodge for Ultra Motorsports in partnership with Evernham Motorsports next year, also sees the downside to the rule.
"It certainly is going to change the careers of a lot of young and talented drivers," he said.
Atwood's record as the youngest ever pole winner in the Busch Series should stand indefinitely.
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