Possible changes come from strong driver-NASCAR communication

Pete Pistone | January 12, 2010

It might seem odd that just about a month away from the start of a new NASCAR season we're talking about rules changes, but that's exactly what's happening as the season-opening Daytona 500 nears.

Although nothing has been officially announced, there is growing speculation that NASCAR will first make a rather radical change to the Sprint Cup car before rescinding two controversial race rules.

NASCAR is said to be considering replacing the current rear wing on the Cup car with a more traditional spoiler, a move that many believe would enhance safety while increasing competition.

After watching Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman fly through the air at the Talladega races a year ago, there is sentiment the rear wing may cause cars to become airborne when spun around, acting as a lift as air rushes underneath.

In addition to having a potential safety benefit, ditching the wing for a spoiler could in many drivers' minds make for better racing.

"I've got to believe if you can pick from having wings on the back of them all the way to the other end where they drive like they did in 1985 with no down force, I'd much rather have no down force," Carl Edwards said.

Nothing is expected to become locked in on the proposed change until next week when the annual preseason NASCAR Media Tour stops at the sanctioning body's Concord, N.C., home, when an official announcement will be made.

"We are currently meeting with drivers and owners to discuss a number of options," said NASCAR Managing Director of Corporate Communications Ramsey Poston. "Going back to the spoiler is one of them under serious consideration. We'll make an announcement in the coming weeks."

Whatever the outcome of the decision, NASCAR has been adamant the end result will be the product of much feedback gathered from drivers and teams.

"We're all in this together," Edwards said. "That's cool. To have [NASCAR CEO] Brian France and [President] Mike Helton and all those guys ask, 'What do you guys think? How can we do this the right way? How can we deliver the best product to the fans?' -- that's what that meeting was about and that means a lot."

Also up for discussion is the possible elimination of the rule that prohibited passing below the yellow line, put in play at Daytona and Talladega a few years ago. Improving position after driving into what had been known as "out of bounds" resulted in a one-lap penalty under the previous policy, which might be rescinded before the Daytona 500.

That move as well as allowing drivers to again bump draft in the corners at the two restrictor-plate tracks has been met with some mixed reviews in the garage area.

"I think it's a bad idea," Michael Waltrip replied when asked about losing the yellow-line rule. "The yellow line was put there for a good reason. If the yellow line wasn't there, then the yellow line would become the grass. We've proven we're perfectly capable of wiping ourselves out with the yellow line, what are we trying to accomplish?"

Tony Stewart, who was the beneficiary of the rule at Talladega two years ago when Regan Smith's last-lap pass was ruled illegal because he was below the line, is OK with the potential change.

"I'm comfortable if they take [away] the yellow-line rule," he said. "We understood why they brought it into the series, and the sport has evolved since it came into effect. I think the one thing about it [is] I'm proud of NASCAR; they're constantly looking at things and a rule they put into effect that they're talking about taking away now."

But the question of why NASCAR is suddenly tinkering with so many rules just weeks before the start of the season is a good one. In the past the sanctioning body has reiterated that there would be little or no change to the Sprint Cup car despite the cries from many drivers and crew chiefs that some were needed.

Although statistics point to the fact the series is more competitive than it has ever been, the perception with many fans is that the racing has become boring and predictable -- a view that is easy to agree with when so many of the actual competitors seem to be constantly delivering that message.

With the 2010 season on the horizon, these tweaks to the system seem to be similar in nature to last year's decision to implement double-file restarts after caution periods, an idea that came from fans and was a resounding hit.

That willingness to listen and react to what the paying customer is asking for could reap bigger dividends for the sport as NASCAR tries to generate more interest and attention this coming season after a couple of down years.

"I think it's time for a change, time for a significant change, that our fans can see watching the race on Sunday through their TV," Clint Bowyer said. "They need to see it's a change for the better, and they're going to stay tuned to watch."

These proposed changes on paper would be a step in the right direction to achieve that goal