It's NASCAR Rumor Control Time
January 29, 2010
By Becca Gladden
If you're a regular reader of this column, you know I am not prone to
quoting those ubiquitous "unnamed sources" so often referred to in journalistic
circles.
But a trusted source in the garage recently laid a pile of juicy rumors on
me, seemingly too good -- too credible? -- to ignore.
The fact is, this person had tipped me off that the wing was being replaced
by the spoiler and that the restrictor plate size was being changed before
those actions became public knowledge -- news which I kept to myself at the
time.
So this time, I decided to go public with some other possible changes
coming to the sport.
If my source is wrong and these rumors don't pan out, I'll gladly own up to
it.
But, if I'm right, remember this: you heard it here first.
The most noteworthy rumor my source provided is that NASCAR is going to
make it easier for teams to get through both qualifying and race day
inspections by allowing "significantly" more generous tolerances on the engine specs
as well as the body measurements of the cars.
I was told that these changes -- including the spoiler, the plate, and the
relaxed tolerances -- will be introduced throughout the 2010 season, with
the wing disappearing soon after the open test at Charlotte Motor Speedway
March 23-24.
Apparently, NASCAR feels the wing has been one of the biggest causes of the
lack of competitive racing with the Car of Tomorrow, along with the
challenges faced by Goodyear in making tires that suit the car -- leading to the
added rumor that the sanctioning body is pressing Goodyear to produce a racier
tire without jeopardizing the safety of the car.
I contacted NASCAR spokesperson Ramsey Poston this week about the potential
for looser engine specs and body tolerances. Poston said, "I have not heard
a single word of that -- we announced all changes that are currently under
consideration last week."
Those modifications already revealed -- the larger opening in the
restrictor plates and the return of the spoiler -- have been cited as proof that
NASCAR is listening to the fans -- and there is no doubt some truth to that.
But my source tells me that a lot of the impetus for these changes (real
and rumored) is economic: that NASCAR is very concerned about lagging ticket
sales, slumping TV ratings, and the departure of some big sponsors, while
other financial backers are reviewing their financial commitments this season.
The only way to improve the situation is to bring back the excitement that
comes with truly competitive racing -- something that's been hindered by the
boxy COT, which limits green-flag passing and favors the car out front with
clean air on its nose.
In addition, easing up the body templates and relaxing the engine
tolerances would put some much-needed creativity back in the hands of the crew chiefs
-- leading back to idea of promoting racier races. The more flexibility
teams have to work with, the greater the likelihood that more of them will be
able to put competitive cars on the track.
As I said, these are unsubstantiated rumors -- which doesn't necessarily
mean unfounded.
So, get out your scorecards and keep track at home. I'll check back with
you at the end of the 2010 season.
Follow Rebecca on Twitter: @nscrwriter
Link: http://insiderracin
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