When NASCAR designed the Car of Tomorrow, which has become the Car of Today, they wanted a vehicle that would be safer for the drivers and put everyone on a level playing field in terms of cost. They also hoped that their new development would produce better, more exciting racing in the long run.
In terms of safety NASCAR deserves an A+, a C in cost, and an F in hoping for better racing.
The new car has done a wonderful job in keeping the drivers safe—just ask Jeff Gordon about his Vegas crash or Michael McDowell about his Texas tumble.
However, it's hard to say if it's hurt or helped the car owner save money only because the American economy is hurting everyone. Exhibit A—if NASCAR's most popular driver is struggling to keep a sponsorship, everyone else should also be scared.
As for the racing, there have been some spectacular races last season and this year, but it appears that they are few and far between.
Look at last season's Martinsville race between teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. The last half of the race we watched as Gordon repeatedly beat on Johnson's back bumper as he tried to perform the short track bump-and-run. However, no matter how hard Gordon hit or how smashed his nose became, Johnson's car never budged and his bumper never bent.
Robin Pemberton explained, "When they used to hit nose-to-tail,the front of the car would put the rear wheels up in the air. Now, it [the COT] won't left the wheels up."
The problem this year seems to be drivers hitting an invisible wall of air everytime they try to pull out and pass the car in front of them or, more likely, getting stuck in the dirty air behind the other car.
That's been the case numerous times this season when a driver just could not close the gap and challenge for position. Then in a post-race interview we would hear about how hard it is to pass with the new car.
Most recently it occurred at Indianapolis when Jimmie Johnson, the fastest car in the field, could not gain any time on leader Denny Hamlin.
The car in the lead was destined to win the race, and Johnson would later prove that when he was ahead of Carl Edwards who found himself playing follow the leader.
"Carl put about as much pressure on us as he could. I knew from chasing Denny the run before that, even if he was a little bit faster, he couldn't get by us," Johnson said.
This past weekend at Pocono we saw Mark Martin struggle to make up the lost ground he had from two bad pit stops, and at the time Martin was the fastest car in the field.
It does need to be said that we have had great races this year, but the fear is that soon we may be seeing a long train of cars around the race track because it's become very difficult to maneuver this car.
And it's well documented how the drivers feel about the car, many saying that it just doesn't drive well and is much heavier than the old car. That could be part of the cause for the horrible race that occurred last week at Indianapolis. More weight puts more stress on the tires,—the result is the Bore-yard 400.
However, NASCAR doesn't want to hear what the drivers say—they had a closed door meeting earlier this year and told them to keep their mouth shut about the new car.
So if the drivers can't say it, I will: I truly fear that soon we may be seeing more of a driver just logging laps while leading and all the exciting side-by-side may soon become as extinct as the old car.
10 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Patti Rodisch 11 months ago
I agree 100%. I think that one of the reasons Kyle busch has won so many. He was out in front and no one could run him down. now that is not taking away from what he has done, but once the leader gets out in front after a restart the winner has been determined we saw that with kyle, with JJ, with carl. These cars are so boxy and punch such a big hole in the air that clean air is essential. which doesn't help those second on back. I hope they change something on these cars to get the racing better next year. becuase fans get tired of watching cars just log laps and no real good hard racing.
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L.J. Burgess 11 months ago
5 Starz writing there Kelly. You've got skillz no doubt.
I have to disagree, especially with Patti's Kyle Busch assessment, in that the #18 has had to PASS someone, more often than not a LOT of someones, to achieve the lead.
This "clean air" deal has been going on ever since teams got freaky with aero-push in the late '90's. I don't know if you've seen a 'stock car' from 2000-2007 up close but the bodies were sculpted to lean into the air to create more left turn down-force. It resulted in a whole new team of aero-engineers coming into the sport at a high cost to teams and, let's face it, a really, really weird, lopsided and ugly car that NASCAR couldn't template properly.
The COT was designed not only for safety but to prevent the escalation of 'aero-cars' to the point of being unrecognizable as stockcars. The COT has the general height, width and appearance of a more common 'street car' sold in showrooms. The 'old' car could easily fit in at Le Mans.
The car we see now has a front profile more in line with 'stock car' ideology, a throw back to the good old days if you will. This aero battle has been fought for decades and if you think this new car is a brick...take a look at NASCAR racers from the '70's, '80's and early '90's when Detroit had the Jeet Kune Do sense of style...the '80's Buick Regal's and Chevy Monte Carlo's were extreme old school examples of this new COT concept yet both won big and took all but 2 of the decade's 10 championships.
So I think what the COT has done is put the weight of success back in the seat and the engine room rather than a cubicle full of computers.
Kyle Busch's success is a result of skill. He has started an average of 11th on the grid this season...that means he's had to pass an average of 10 other cars per race to get to that clean air. And...it's not because Toyota is better either. Take away Shrub's 7 wins and Toyota only has 1 win.
Let's give props to the kid for driving it like it's stolen...
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Patti Rodisch 11 months ago
LJ .. I have to say I agree with you that kid can drive but when he's been up front, he pulls away along with anyone who has lead a race this year. But Kyle does have a lot of skill no doubt on that, but the margin of victory is what I am pointing out too. this car really does put more emphasis on the driver. and yea every driver has to pass someone to lead the race.. but I think I am talking more about the margin of victory for any race winner this year.
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L.J. Burgess 11 months ago
That's a good point. I haven't seen much down to the wire finishes lately.
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S M Napier 11 months ago
Great read, Kelly. Most military sponsorships are renewed yearly, depends on the budget and sure it's concerning. But remember in 2006, Happy won the Nationwide title, only to have the Coast Guard sponsorship not renew for '07 and Junior will find a sponsor. Much easier than half the struggling Nationwide Teams will.
Think another benefit for Kyle has been the Top 35 rule, JGR gambles with having the car set up to race at qualifing and with the Shrub able to race loose is the big secret to his success. Haven't really decided if I like the COT or would rather see them let the teams build the cars.
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L.J. Burgess 11 months ago
It would be interesting to see a 'stock' profile that templates uniquely...might force the manufacturers to create their own aero cars which would translate into better MPG on the dealer showrooms and for we drivers...and an end to this latest Chrysler design trend...which is just butt freakin' weird.
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Jen Preston 11 months ago
Love it Kelly! Nice job... you make a good point in saying that NASCAR has got to start listening to drivers. Good job again girl five stars all the way.
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Saraswathi Siriginia 11 months ago
Good article Kelly, made for a wonderful read.
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Adam Monte 11 months ago
I totaly agree that the COT is boring, but think about this... it saved McDowell at texas. He would have been a dead man. if you look at the crash newman had at daytona in 2003 and the way that the roof caved in; mcdowell's crash would have killed him or put him in the hospital and out of the sport for a while.
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John 11 months ago
For the record, NASCAR put the kiebash on the drivers complaints only because it got excessive. Whether it's the tires or whatever,
As far as the drivers go, let's AT LEAST hear some solutions on how to make the racing better.
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