Racing Thanks
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, some specifics that make us glad for all the on-track action
Regular readers of this column know I spend a lot of time complaining about things that should be fixed in NASCAR and other racing series. But I gripe because I love, and since November is the month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving, I’m devoting this column to some of the many things in the 2010 racing season for which I’m thankful.
Wings clipped After its experiment in adding rear-deck wings to the Car of Tomorrow didn’t improve Sprint Cup racing as hoped, NASCAR took a bold step by switching back to the old spoilers in mid-season instead of waiting until the end of the year to decide on an obvious change. I appreciate that positive, decisive action.
Riding the wave When NASCAR opted for double-file restarts last year, it also introduced the wave-around rule. This is the first full season with both, and I’m loving it, especially the proper repositioning of drivers at the end of the lead lap. I always hated it when cars were rolling chicanes for race leaders. Now instead of being right up front to get quickly relapped again, and perhaps causing a wreck in the process, they literally go to the tail-end of the lead lap where they belong.
Chase, schmase I also appreciate that, while NASCAR clings to its ridiculous and unnecessary playoff format, both the Indy Racing League and Formula 1 produced compelling, traditional championship chases that went right down to the wire. Coincidence or not, both of those series enjoyed much more successful years on a relative basis — F1 is much bigger than NASCAR, while IRL is much smaller — than NASCAR.
