Racing News Digest

As I pointed out in this post – “Is NASCAR Really Going To Back Off A Little From The Drivers” – NASCAR is going to start backing off the drivers and let them handle things themselves instead of being regulated. They aren’t going to harp on them as much and just let them beat and bang or spout off if they want without consequences.

Within reason.

There really isn’t anything laid out spelling what is or is not allowed as far as NASCAR relaxing on the drivers a bit. I am sure it will just be up to NASCAR’s discretion and we will have to see how they handle individual situations and make sure they are consistent in what they do.

Brian France is quoted in the release as saying –

“NASCAR is a contact sport – our history is based on banging fenders.”

I love hearing that. However I am not looking for a crash up derby on Sunday’s. I hope the drivers restrain themselves a little and don’t cause big problems. But it does seem to me that NASCAR has been a little to strict these past years and they need to loosen up and let these guys handle the problems themselves.

Part of this also is that they are going to eliminate the “Bump Draft Rule” at Talladega and Daytona. If you remember they implemented this rule last season after a some crashes including Carl Edwards accidently taking out his teammates during a race. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the rule stated no bump drafting in the corners, but it had the drivers “scared” of getting penalized so they didn’t do it hardly at all. Which of course led to a lot of complaints about the quality of the race. From both drivers and fans.

So, I am all for letting them bump draft. If they mess up drivers will learn who to run with and who not run with. Those that screw up enough will be in the back of the field by themselves and that is how it should be.

The other 2 rule changes that I really look forward to are in the Camping World Truck Series. DOUBLE FILE RESTARTS! I am all for these types of restarts and NASCAR has now implemented it across all three series.

Also, the Camping World Truck Series is back to “normal’ pit stops. Last year they had to break it up with fuel on 1 stop then back around for tires on another stop. I did not care for this at all and I am glad NASCAR brought it back to the way it is suppose to me.

OTHER RULE CHANGES MENTIONED
** NASCAR Nationwide Series teams will be limited to 15 crew members (last year unlimited)
** NASCAR Nationwide Series teams not required to have a scorer
** NASCAR Nationwide Series teams may run only 2 races without using a sealed engine (last year = 3 races)
** NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams will use double-file restarts “shootout style”
** NASCAR Camping World Truck Series return to traditional pit stops (last year = split fuel/tires stops)
** NASCAR Camping World Truck Series may use new vented fuel can = no catch can required.
UPDATE:
** NASCAR still will not allow passing below the yellow line at Talladega or Daytona.

What say you? Are you in favor of the rule changes?

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