Top Row Seat - Legislated Equality
Dateline: 03/18/97Over the last couple of years NASCAR has spent a lot of time and money trying to make sure that all competitors have a level playing field. The most visible examples of this are the numerous rule changes that NASCAR has implemented in an attempt to equalize the three car makes. They have been constantly allowing an extra quarter of an inch here and taking it away there to try to make all cars equal.
To say the least this has caused quite an uproar among many teams and fans. Some people believe that it's negating the hard work of the engineers at the factory. Others claim that the sanctioning body is playing favoritism. But nearly everyone complains that the "other guy" has a huge advantage and they're just lucky to finish on the lead lap.
Not to interrupt with the truth or anything, but let's look at the facts. So far in 1997 we have had four races, 2 won by Chevy and 2 won by Ford. At Daytona, Chevy dominated the top five. In Atlanta the Fords dominated the top five. At Rockingham and Richmond the Ford/Chevy/Pontiac split pretty fairly reflected the makeup of the field. This seems pretty fair to me.
Some people will look at those statistics and claim that with all of the rule changes NASCAR has just become a high dollar IROC series where everyone is driving nearly identical cars. Again, let's look at what we've seen so far in 97.
Let's start by throwing out the restrictor plate racing at Daytona where it is virtually impossible for any one driver to dominate. Now let's look at what we have left. At every non-restrictor plate race this year we have seen one or two guys control the entire race. Wallace owned them at Richmond and Jarrett punched out at the Rock and again at Atlanta. With all of this non-lead-changing going on somebody show me where all that equality is.
I am completely in favor of NASCAR attempting to level the playing field for the sake of competition. Nobody likes to see one driver lap the field, it's simply not entertaining. So let NASCAR take cars to the wind tunnel and continue to adjust the air dam, fenders, spoilers, roof line, etc.... The main focus here is in making the sport interesting. If entertainment were not the bottom line in sports then there would be no 3-pointer in the NBA and no 2 point conversion in the NFL.
I'll support anything which is good for NASCAR, and close racing and photo finishes are good for NASCAR.
Private Note For Gary Nelson
Excuse me sir, about those darn Chevy's. Don't you think that if you gave the Fords just another half an inch.....
Go Fast, Turn Left, Stay Safe!
