Elite Division

M.K. Kanke is one Elite Division driver who will be happy to see NASCAR drop the Southwest Series.
Kanke, the Southwest Series leader in career wins, has always been critical of the way NASCAR ran the Southwest Series.
Now that NASCAR has decided to eliminate the four regional divisions from competition, Kanke said he is pleased to see them go. There is a hope among NASCAR that the Elite Division drivers and teams will move up to the Grand National Division level or beyond. But Kanke said he is not too optimistic that Elite Division teams will make the move.
"The problem is: Your taking an $80,000 car and NASCAR wants to run a division that costs two times to three times as much to be competitive," Kanke said. "You have to look for other options. NASCAR priced everyone out of their league."
Kanke will be one of 40 Elite Division drivers racing in the All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway Friday and Saturday night. Drivers from the Northwest Series, Southeast Series and Midwest Series will be traveling to Irwindale Speedway for the Showdown race.
Kanke remembers traveling to Arizona, Texas, Missouri and Colorado for races during his career in the Southwest Series. He sympathizes with the drivers coming across the country for the Showdown.
Those drivers will have a disadvantage when it comes to track time and preparation.
"Everything's good," Kanke said. "I just wish they would have given the guys more time to set up."