| Rules? Why start now? |
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As I read all the articles about Jr's roof infraction and watch all the TV shows, I start to wonder what we may be in for in the future. Nascar has set precedence with it's policy on NOT stripping a victory if the winner has violated the rules but isn't very uniform after that. Let's look at the fines levied this week and see how they stack up.
Bobby King, #90 Ford, Rear Deck Lid, $5,000; Michael McSwain, #28, Rear Deck Lid, $5,000; ok, those are even. Peter Sospenzo, #12, Fuel Cell, $5,000; Peter Sospenzo, #12, Underpans, $500; Chad Knaus, #92, Windshield clips (too small), $750; Jimmy Elledge, #55, Travel limiting devices (bump stops), $2,500; Slugger Labbe, #15, Rear window braces, $250; Paul Andrews, #1, Rear window braces, $1,000, hmm.. Paul got nailed for $1000 for the same infraction that netted Slugger only $250. And with both cars coming from DEI, I would assume they were the same braces. Paul Andrews, #1, Unapproved air deflector, $1,250; Donnie Wingo, #26, Unapproved air deflector, $250. Once again, Paul gets nailed $1,250 and Donnie only $250. That sounds fair. I know enough has been said about JR and his roof, but, did anyone see Ray Evernham on RPM2night? Ray summed it up excellently. He demonstrated how springs and the parts that hold them can, and do, bend during a race. He stated that the car can settle and 1/4" is very likely. So, most teams set their car at around 51-1/4" for pre-race and give room for settling. Jr's team passed pre-race, but apparently didn't give enough room for tolerance. Should the teams have to be psychic? You can pass pre-race with a roof at 51" flat. But if it settles, now you fail post race. The rules should be 51-1/4" pre-race and 51" post-race. Or even better, 51" with a tolerance after the race only of + or - 1/4". Also, Ray noted that 1/8" lower roof would help in qualifying but not at all in the race with the current Aero Package. Now, here is something to ponder. Nascar has mandated a new engine rule for next year to help keep costs down. I think this is great, but I fear how it will be enforced. Let me explain. The new rule states that you must race on the same engine you qualify with, unless it is an approved engine change. otherwise, you have to start last. LET'S EXPAND ON THIS: What constitutes "approved"? If your motor blows, do you get to change it with no penalty? Here are a couple of scenarios of how this rule can be exploited. 1) Take a guy like Kyle Petty who hasn't qualified for quite a few of the races. Everyone is qualifying on a race engine which is built to last for 500 laps, not just 2 laps of qualifying and is therefore a good bit slower than what they use this year. Kyle, or whoever, let's say Joe Racer, slaps a qualifying type motor in, lighter parts, etc.., and blazes the field. Now he is locked into the race. Now there are 2 ways to take advantage of this. A) Over rev the engine and blow it up on last lap of qualifying or B) Try not to look too obvious, and run it in practice where you know it will blow up. Nascar let's you change your motor and you start up front. If they say it is unapproved then you have to start last, but at least Joe Racer is in the field instead of going home. 2) Along the same lines, how many guys do you think will "accidentally" blow the motor in practice? Granted if they are starting up front they may not want to risk having to start last, but, if there motor let's go, Nascar has to let them change it, right? Would these guys be that devious? I think so. Reminds me of The Winston when DW's engine let go as he crossed the line for the win. You can't tech a motor that is in a thousand pieces.... I just wonder how Nascar will police this. How teams will try to use it to their advantage and how consistent the calls over "approved" vs. "unapproved" engine changes really becomes. Anyone else have thoughts on this subject or other rules related issues?? |