France: 'We Want to See Drivers Mixing it Up'

By: Allen Gregory | TriCities.com
Published: January 22, 2010

CONCORD, N.C. – The race back to the rowdy roots of stock car racing continues.

On Thursday’s final session of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR chairman Brian France outlined rule changes designed to reinvigorate his sport and appeal to fickle fans.

“This is a contact sport,” France said. “We want to see drivers mixing it up. We want to see the emotion of the world’s best drivers just as much as everybody else does. That’s the goal of 2010 and beyond.”

Fans, drivers and mechanics have repeatedly expressed their frustration with the restrictive nature of NASCAR’s current model.

With the cars basically alike in design, drivers have been unable to execute passes for the lead. Some critics have even claimed that the sport has become predictable and boring.

In a move that has been rumored for weeks, France confirmed Thursday that NASCAR officials will replace the much-maligned wing currently mounted on the rear of the car with a more traditional spoiler. A full-field test is scheduled for March 23 and 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR President Mike Helton said he hopes the alteration will translate into more compelling action for fans and drivers.

“There’s an age-old saying that in NASCAR, if you ain’t rubbing, you ain’t racing,” said Helton, a Bristol native. “And I think that’s what the NASCAR fan and NASCAR stakeholders all bought into, and all expect.”

NASCAR officials also announced that bump-drafting rules have been eliminated for the superspeedway races at Daytona and Talladega. That change will permit drivers to use their bumpers to maneuver around slower cars.

“We will put it back in the hands of the drivers and we will say, ‘Boys, have at it, and have a good time,’ ” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said.

In another rule alteration that should prove conducive to increased passing, teams will use a bigger restrictor plate for season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 14.

France indicated Thursday that some of the changes date back to discussions held with drivers and owners at a town hall style meeting in May.

“Over the past 10 years we’ve dramatically increased safety and that mission continues. However, it’s time for us to allow the drivers to drive,” France said. “We don’t want the rules and regulations to get in the way of great racing and fantastic finishes.”

NASCAR teams have used the current model, dubbed the Car of Tomorrow, for the past two years.

“There will be a significant change,” France said. “Depending on which driver and team, you will feel differently about it.

“But there’s no question in the exchanges we’ve had with the drivers, team owners and everyone else that they want to go back to a more traditional looking race car and traditional handling race car. And we think that change will be the right one at the right time.”

In a change previously announced, Sprint Cup races will also have earlier and more uniform starting times this season.