How many true race fans watch a race for the competition aspect of the sport? Do you like a few wrecks thrown in and see pit crews in action? How about major accidents taking out packs of cars to see the winner through attrition? Well, that's plate racing at it's best and worst.
Didn't one of the sports greatest drivers and promoters of NASCAR and stock car racing lose his life several years ago because of a plate related blocking move like that? Only this time, with many of the safety changes that have taken place (thankfully) over the years due to the Intimidator's untimely death, the 18 got away with it this time (and a few others). That's a good thing.
Maybe the problem is that restrictor plates in general have been the major effort for many years to slow cars down to prevent speeds over 200 mph to improve driver and spectator safety. Is it the right thing to keep doing or is there something else that can be done to help the cars keep speeds down while increasing driveability and safety at the same time? Many classes of racing use plates to reduce horsepower, but are the same driveability problems present outside of the superspeedways?
Should we think about the Street Stock Nationals wicker bill effect of Frank Kimmel's design? It's real ugly, but if other aerodynamic changes like that could reduce the speeds that restrictor plates are now charged with, why not try it? Could that bring driveability, passing options and old school racing back to the driver's ability by eliminating the plates on the superspeedways? Food for thought.
Tell us what you think. Until then, we'll just wait for another "big one" and hope everyone comes through it okay.
|
