Daytona 500
After several restrictor plate races that have led to dwindling crowds and grumbling from fans, NASCAR made several changes to the cars and rules to return pack racing. The results so far have been disastrous, with numerous crashes marring speedweeks. Sadly, I wonder if thats what opponents of tandem drafting wanted all along.
Tandem drafting wasn't perfect, but it was a step in the right direction. NASCAR tries to people please more then anyone, but at some point they have to realize at times fans must be seen and not heard.
Pack racing can be exciting, but it comes along with all it's baggage. Large, unavoidable multi-car crashes that can wipe out most of the field are common place. This year they happened at an unusually high rate. My explanation is the combination of large restrictor plates and the bumpers of the cars matching up so well.
NASCAR wanted to give the drivers more engine response so they increased the restrictor plate size, giving plate races the highest speeds they've seen in over a decade. This however has increased closing speeds in the draft, making tight pack racing that much more hairy. Also, the bumpers on the new cars match up perfectly. If you tried to bump draft like they do today with the old car odds are you would lift the rear wheels of the driver in front off the ground. Since the bumpers match up so well drivers take more chances in how close they are willing to race eachother, increasing the risk of contact and crashes.
The result was a boring race. Drivers were content in just logging laps, nobody wanted to race too hard as the chances of causing a wreck thanks to all the variables was too high. It was a poor race, drivers routinely left as much as half a car length between the bumper of their cars and others, everyone feared crashing so they stopped racing.
The finish to the race was atrocious, and not just by the high standards set at Daytona. It was painfully obvious Biffle had orders to let Kenseth win, as demonstrated by his inability to get within a car length of Kenseth with Earnhardt Jr pushing him. Ford or Rousch, not sure who, did not want Earnhardt Jr to steal the race, so Biffle just sat there, and did nothing.
At least Speedweeks is over and no one was seriously hurt. NASCAR has alot of items on the table to look over. My thoughts on social networking and the jet dryer incident are already out there, and I'll leave it at that. But the rules package for restrictor plate racing must change. The drivers have too much power, too much response as it stands now.
As for who looks good early, all I can tell is that the Fords have the most horsepower and thats about it. I wouldnt be surprised if a Rousch Ford wins the title this year.
