The way to fix the problem at the restrictor plate tracks isn't that hard. The product that Nascar has now is a result of taking HP away and improving handling via- Aerodynamics, tires and chassis technology. The result has been better handling cars with less HP that drivers can run flat out for 500 miles within inches of each other. Todays cup car at Talladega and Daytona has too much downforce and advanced handling advantages for the amount of HP.

The answer to fix the problem at Talladega and Daytona is the opposite take away some of the aerodynamics (spoiler,splitter and etc.), make Goodyear build a tire that is safe but doesn't have as much grip, mandate a shock and spring package with boundaries that gives the teams a little room to work and impose a rpm max rule with gear rule (this will control top end speed) instead of the restrictor plate. What you would end up with is poorer handling cars that the drivers would have to lift off the gas and improved racing. The better drivers would then be able rise to the top and I think that is what most everyone wants.

A perfect example is USAC non winged sprints versus WOO winged sprints....the WOO sprint have raced in past years flat out with very little passing....now they are taking away some of the downforce with different style wing and spec tires the racing has been better and I think they will continue to make adjustments there, but the USAC sprints have no wings and a harder tire rule. They are usually 2-4 seconds slower at most tracks than WOO sprints but the drivers have more of a challenge to drive these cars because they are not locked to the track. The racing has way more passing and the better drivers usually rise to the top.
Go to a USAC race and usually drivers have to lift because the handling isn't there to run wide open but go to a WOO sprint race at the same track and all the drivers are running flat out in line just like we see at Talladega and Daytona. Why did the WOO sprints quit running the mile dirt tracks?.....too dangerous because the cars were going to fast and they raced in line and put on a poor show.....exactly what Nascar has at Talledega and Daytona, but USAC still runs DuQuoin and Springfield because these cars are not going too fast and the cars handle poorly enough that there is some stand alone passing(racing) without bump drafting to put on a show.

Chicanes at Daytona and Talladega, no restrictors.

The problem with making the cars more difficult to drive is that we would lose a few of today's drivers. There are more than a couple drivers out there who got the ride due to looks and marketability or other sponsor driven reason, but not necessarily talent. Make them actually drive the car, at those speeds, and some will no longer be with us.

Chicanes would require turning right.
Try speedbumps and have the drivers stop every two laps to ask the officials "How's my driving"

"The problem with making the cars more difficult to drive is that we would lose a few of today's drivers. There are more than a couple drivers out there who got the ride due to looks and marketability or other sponsor driven reason, but not necessarily talent. Make them actually drive the car, at those speeds, and some will no longer be with us."

And why would that be bad? I thought this was a competition sport.

Yes, that would mean turning right. For all 43 cars.
Compared to what is spent on RP development, I think they'll figure it out.

racer1-14 - 02 November 2009 12:38 PM

"The problem with making the cars more difficult to drive is that we would lose a few of today's drivers. There are more than a couple drivers out there who got the ride due to looks and marketability or other sponsor driven reason, but not necessarily talent. Make them actually drive the car, at those speeds, and some will no longer be with us."

And why would that be bad? I thought this was a competition sport.

As much as I'd prefer that the no-talent types were gone from the sport, watching them die in violent wrecks is not the best way to get rid of them. For one thing, a talented driver could get caught up in one.

Lovey-Dovey - 02 November 2009 01:06 PM

racer1-14 - 02 November 2009 12:38 PM

"The problem with making the cars more difficult to drive is that we would lose a few of today's drivers. There are more than a couple drivers out there who got the ride due to looks and marketability or other sponsor driven reason, but not necessarily talent. Make them actually drive the car, at those speeds, and some will no longer be with us."

And why would that be bad? I thought this was a competition sport.

As much as I'd prefer that the no-talent types were gone from the sport, watching them die in violent wrecks is not the best way to get rid of them. For one thing, a talented driver could get caught up in one.

They are wrecking now.........slow the cars down and the danger level will be lower.....I didn't say make the cars any unsafer. The chances of injury or worse is always going to be there but if you slow the speeds down the chance of major injury will decrease.

The rear wing is the reason both Edwards and Newman went airborne. The wing provides LIFT when the car is spun backwards at high speeds. Nascar needs to provide a way to hinge it so it spoils the lift in reverse..

mjk807 - 02 November 2009 07:50 PM

The rear wing is the reason both Edwards and Newman went airborne. The wing provides LIFT when the car is spun backwards at high speeds. Nascar needs to provide a way to hinge it so it spoils the lift in reverse..

True, it should hinged to fold forward.

The problem with a hinged wing is, what do you do if the wing folds during the race? As much as we thing we have all the aero figured out on car it's possible the hinged wing could fold during the race. Then what?