NASCAR Meeting

NASCAR has scheduled two meetings with the owners and drivers for tomorrow. While I think it's a step in the right direction, an even better idea would be to include the crew chiefs in the two meetings.

I remember last year when the drivers were vociferous in their criticism of the Car of Tomorrow. NASCAR basically told them, "Shut your mouth--this is what you got, and this is what we're going to give you. We're not changing it." Kyle Busch said it best after its debut in 2007 at the spring race in Bristol: "This car sucks." Ironically, Busch won the race, holding off Jeff Burton.

THREE AREAS NASCAR NEEDS TO FOCUS ON:

1. The car itself. The car doesn't handle very well. NASCAR needs to take a look at the idea of allowing some leeway for crew chiefs to adjust the car in order to make it turn better. While NASCAR has done a tremendous job of improving driver safety vis-a-vis the new car, it has come at the sacrifice of car handling. Basically, NASCAR needs to stop micromanaging the new car and let the crew chiefs have SOME leeway. The current testing ban has allowed Goodyear to catch up in its research and development of a softer tire for the new car. Perhaps a wider tire could be the solution, but it's still at least a season away, if not longer.
2. Drug testing. I applaud NASCAR for instituting drug testing. BUT, a more conclusive list of banned substances by NASCAR should be compiled and given out to each member of each team, from the driver down to the crew chief, to the crew members, to the engineers, and so on. NASCAR should also institute a 24-hour hotline for any substance-related questions a driver or crewman may have.
3. Schedule. Currently, NASCAR has 36 races, plus two non-points events, the Bud Shootout and the All-Star Race. It's time to revisit the schedule. With 38 events, NASCAR has overexposed itself. Perhaps it's time to pare down the schedule to 30 races and the two non-points events. Reduce the Chase from 10 races to five races. With more off weeks, a race that is rained out could be made up on one of those off weeks. Have your last off week right before the Chase. Have off weeks on Easter and Mother's Day weekends. NASCAR could still start Speedweeks on the first part of February and end the season in early October at the latest. That way, the NASCAR season ends before the baseball playoffs begin.

These are a few suggestions I would make to NASCAR at their meeting tomorrow. Hopefully some progress can be made. We'll see.