Jul
23
Written by:
The Commish
7/23/2010 10:14 AM
First, NASCAR and the manufacturers have to decide which kind of cars they want as their premier product. If Mustangs, Challengers, Camaros and whatever Toyota can come up with that's closer to a Ponycar than a sedan are destined to become the new Sprint Cup models, so be it. Loosen the bodywork rules to make the cars less identical and proclaim the latest incarnation of muscle cars to be at the top of the NASCAR ladder, if that's what the car companies want.
And let the Impalas and Fusions and Chargers and Camrys become the Nationwide cars. Or make the Ponycars the foundation for NNS with sedans remaining the basis for Cup cars. The only thing that matters is a visual difference in the race cars and a speed discrepancy.
Then establish a criteria that restricts qualifying Cup drivers to a maximum of races in the Nationwide or Truck series per season.
For example, if a Cup driver is in the top 20 in points (previous season for the first five races, then go by current standings) they can only race in 20% of the other series' races. So Kyle, Kevin, Brad, Carl, Denny, Joey, Clint et al would only be able to poach wins at seven races a year instead of all 35. If a driver is 21st through 35th he or she can compete in 40% of the races.
Cup teams can still compete but with drivers that are learning instead of schooling and cherry picking.
I'd also have fewer Cup/Nationwide doubleheaders and when they did run together I'd schedule both races the same day, after both series had practice and qualifying the day before.
That's what I'd do. But I'm just a fan with no stake in the game except my interest, viewing and sponsor loyalty habits.
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