Impound THIS, NASCAR

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Next to the “Top 35 Rule’ the “Impound Race” has to be one of NASCAR most ridiculous concepts going.

Talladega is the first of NASCAR’s five Impound races, originally designed to save teams money and drivers time at the race track. The original idea had some merit. If NASCAR teams weren’t allowed to touch their cars after qualifying; then there would be no need for special qualifying setups. That would save the teams money. No more special this, or special that to gain an advantage for the run to the pole. In theory teams would make their car setups based on what they thought would be good for race day not qualifying day.

In theory a good idea–I say. Letting teams, especially low funded teams, only have to worry about one setup would indeed save them not only cash but would also give their much overworked staff a little time to relax between qualifying and race day. Yes indeed a great plan.

But hold on here a minute cowboy. Let’s take that great concept–a worthy and noble gesture on NASCARs part and screw it sideways into the very teams that could most benefit from it–”the go or go homers”.

This group that resides outside the top 35; a group that must week in and week out spend more money qualifying for races and devote more time for that process than any of the big boys do, must now make some hard decisions. They are forced to set their cars up to qualify so as to be included in the 43 car field. If they become one of the three unlucky souls to miss the race, they will, and most likely have already been relegated to a season of qualifying disparity.

But, the impound rule now makes it doubly difficult to be able to race into good finishes thus elevating oneself into the top 35. The car that has been setup to qualify to just make the race, must run until the first yellow flag pit stops with a less than ideal qualifying setup in the car. All the while the big boys that didn’t have to worry about qualifying are out on the track running up front with the same setups that they were able to run with during practice and qualifying.

The gap between the haves and the have-nots is an ever widening one. NASCAR is seeing to it. Not only are they making life impossible for anyone outside the top 35 to make it into the top 35; they are imparting needless time and money constraints on those that can least afford it.

Come on NASCAR, if you must keep one of these silly rules, get rid of the other. Everyone is at the track already–let them work on the car to get them race ready. Maybe - just maybe - one of those back markers might have a chance.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.