tool name
closeCOT signals NASCAR's role as supreme being
John Sturbin / Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Friday, Mar. 23, 2007
It is what it is. And it's a work in progress.
Like a roll of silver duct tape, NASCAR has used those two catch phrases to finesse its way through any number of recent hot-button issues. Certainly, no issue is more hot button than the Car of Tomorrow. The culmination of a seven-year project, the Car of Tomorrow will make its competitive Nextel Cup debut this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, where it will become the Car du Jour. (U.S. Patent Pending). In American, that's Car of the Day, in case you're wondering.
Anyway, the last time NASCAR mandated such a radical, across-the-model change was for the 1981Winston Cup season. Following Detroit's showroom lead, the sanctioning body switched to "downsized" model dimensions on wheelbases that shrunk from 115 to 110 inches. A generation later, this makeover is more radical in that NASCAR's Research and Development Center has assumed the role of God. Basically, NASCAR has gone from sanctioning body to supreme being of stock car racing with the COT. Considering the France Family Ranch is riding on this "initiative," NASCAR had better believe they got it right.
"It's a moment in history for NASCAR's premier series to make a very significant change, and one we hope will successfully carry us into the future for years to come," said John Darby, Nextel Cup Series director. "You can't help but be excited, whether that excitement is apprehension, wondering what's going to happen, to the expectations or the lack of and everything else in between."
NASCAR believes the COT will be safer, produce better racing, reduce inventories and control costs, as well as deter attempts at cheating. Despite testing on a variety of tracks, including the most recent two-day shakedown at BMS, opinions on the COT are all over the map.
"The Car of Tomorrow has so many questions," said Kurt Busch, defending champion of the Food City 500 and winner of five of the last 10 races at BMS. "Whether it's loading it into the hauler or knowing what the rear wing or the front splitter are going to do at speed. You just have to keep an open mind and stay cool-headed." Cool-headed Kurt will be driving a Dodge Avenger fielded by Penske Racing South.
As noted, the list of items that could require troubleshooting begins with the COT's front splitter and raised rear wing. NASCAR believes the "attack angles" of both elements will allow the driver and his crew chief to tune the car's downforce and aero balance to specific tracks. Darby's concerns include engine and brake temperatures, tires rubbing fenders, fatigue issues and even the all-new inspection process at venerable Bristol. The high-banked, half-mile concrete oval is NASCAR's version of March Madness. Speeds are down, relatively, aerodynamics do not come into play and the close quarters foster aggressive driving. Stock cars typically leave Bristol crashed and trashed.
"I wish we could crash all of them to where we don't have to drive them anymore," said two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart, who will wheel a Chevrolet Impala SS for Joe Gibbs Racing and apparently not like it.
Still, no one in NASCAR Nation has a problem with the COT's revolutionary safety items. The greenhouse/cockpit of each Impala SS, Avenger, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry is larger; each roof is 2 1/2 inches higher and the driver has been moved closer to the center of the chassis. NASCAR believes the boxy silhouette will further level the playing field.
"Actually, we're pretty equal as it is," said reigning Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, winner of two of the season's four races in that soon-to-be obsolete standby, the Chevy Monte Carlo. "I don't know how we're going to make it more equal out there. So we'll just have to learn with the car." The Car du Jour. (U.S. Patent Pending). As always, it is what it is.
PIT STOPS
Time to load and lock-in: There is a subplot to Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway, beyond the Car of Tomorrow. The Food City 500 is the fifth race of the season, and the last event in which the top 35 drivers in the final 2006 owner standings will be guaranteed a starting spot. Beginning the following weekend at Martinsville Speedway, top-35 status will be determined by the 2007 owner standings. Those outside the top 35 will be required to qualify on speed... or go home.
Heading into qualifying at BMS on Friday, only the top 18 in owner points are guaranteed a starting spot at Martinsville. All other drivers can fall out of the top 35 after Bristol. The cutoff for this calculation is 159 points over 36th place in owner points, the maximum a driver can gain on another car that starts the race. Shockingly, the handful of drivers in and around 35th is headed by Kasey Kahne -- winner of a series-high six races last year -- but currently 37th.
Martin content with sitting out: NASCAR Nextel Cup points leader Mark Martin is at peace with his decision to sit out Sunday's race at Bristol Motor Speedway, snapping a string of 621 consecutive starts. "You know, the people that are saying that they can't believe it, they haven't lived it," said Martin, whose exit will allow rookie Regan Smith to make his first Cup start for Ginn Racing. Martin said he will watch Smith drive the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet on a 42-inch plasma TV, complete with TiVo.
"I'll be replaying the wrecks, moving them back and going forward and watching them in slow motion," Martin said. "So I will be sorely disappointed if there isn't lots of wrecks, because it seems like there sure is every time I'm in the race there."
IHRA opens in San Antone: The 12-event International Hot Rod Association drag racing schedule opens Friday through Sunday with the Nitro Jam Texas Nationals at San Antonio Raceway. For more information, visit www.sanantonioraceway.com.
