Team owner Rick Hendrick says that NASCAR's "Car of Tomorrow" will add uncertainty to the 2007 season. (Photo: Getty Images/Rusty Jarrett)
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Spencer: Why are people against this 'car of tomorrow?'
France: People just don't like change by definition. In fairness, we have to get the car out and they have to get comfortable with it. It doesn't bother us to hear various points of view. Listen, we have a lot of people with various points of view. Our fans have opinions, big opinions. Drivers certainly do, and we can't make every decision with everyone in total agreement.
McReynolds: I did read something in that article (USA Today) that (John Roberts) mentioned - that I guess I never thought about because I'm here all the time - but maybe the length of the schedule, going Valentine's to Thanksgiving, do you think maybe the schedule is too long?
France: Larry, I'm going to let you tell one of these tracks that host one of these events that they are coming off the schedule. We've always had a long season, but I think it works to our advantage in a lot of ways. It gives corporations a chance to market to a 10-month season. Now, we only have one event per week. We don't have 180 games, or any of that business. I think we're okay and things are just fine with the length of schedule - and the racing's great.
Hammonds: The Busch Series champion was decided many weeks ago. I think you need to make some adjustments to at least that series to make sure you come in here and have a little bit more of a competitive deal. Do you see some things in the Busch Series
to make that happen?
France: We have looked at it and we'll continue to look at it. We like the uniqueness it gives the Nextel Cup, that's the premium series, obviously, in motorsports. We like to distinguish the divisions when we can and crowning the champions is one way of doing it. We'll take a look at it, but we're pretty comfortable with things right now.
Wallace: Do you think some people are jealous of NASCAR's success? And are quick to point it out when NASCAR falters a little bit.
France: It's always a thing with the media...
Wallace: Why would it make the front page of USA Today?
France: I thought their timing was really poor - crowning our champions this week. I thought that article was inaccurate and the timing was bad. Look guys, its one article and everybody wants to pile on. I don't think any of these fans here today are worried about what the USA Today says.
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