WickerBill
11-25-10, 09:16 AM
If I'm honest with all of you, I watch a few races a year and generally keep track of what is happening in the sport, even though the racing itself is really dull most of the time. I like to know how Montoya and a couple others are doing -- usually the ones who infuriate the rebel-flag crowd the most are the ones I want to see do well.
With that admission of gomerism out of the way, the changes that NASCAR is making to the Sprint Cup series over the last few years aren't addressing the real problem. And obviously, as with anything, you can't fix something if you aren't clear on what the issue is.
The issue is clear to any CART/Champcar/F1 fan: the technology in the cars has been in use for too long. However, give me a chance to explain why this is not just another rant about wanting technology for the sake of the "cool factor". The changes that have been made in no way change the reliability of the motor, drive chain, and (to an extent) chassis, so everyone's going to always stay on the track. Everyone knows every piece inside and out, and most importantly, everyone knows where the "wall" is -- that is, everyone knows doing XXXXX works, but XXXXY breaks the motor. There is no headroom for trying new things, there is basically no room at all to learn. The technology has simply been in use too long, and everyone knows every limit.
Without question, and with good reason, NASCAR can't afford to simply open up the specs, like we open-wheel people would like to see. However, they could solve this consistency/limits issue by issuing new specifications for engine and drivetrain every 5-7 years. And honestly, it wouldn't matter if it was "new technology" to the industry -- it just needs to be different technology to NASCAR. They could say for 2012-2018, we're using 3.6L V6s with five speed gearboxes. For 2019-2025, we're using 2.0L turbocharged 4cyl with four speed gearboxes and push-to-pass. For 2026-2031, we're using 2.5L turbodiesels with six speed gearboxes and variable ride-height technology. Hell, for 2032-2038, we're using 3.0L V12s.
The point is, NASCAR hasn't hit the "reset" button on the motor and drivetrain since the switch to small blocks about a thousand years ago. This has more or less removed the engine and drivetrain from the equation... almost everyone is equal or close to it in that department, and the wins and losses come from spending tens of millions in the wind tunnel, on suspension, and on pit stops. But stop and think about my premise -- the engine is a non-factor in NASCAR racing.
You change the motor and transmission, and you'll get excitement and intrigue. Jimmie lapped the field but his motor let go. Hamlin got the gearing all wrong for this track. Will Penske solve their reliability issue. Mario is slowing down. You get the idea.
Thoughts, insults, and laughter at my stupidity all welcome...
With that admission of gomerism out of the way, the changes that NASCAR is making to the Sprint Cup series over the last few years aren't addressing the real problem. And obviously, as with anything, you can't fix something if you aren't clear on what the issue is.
The issue is clear to any CART/Champcar/F1 fan: the technology in the cars has been in use for too long. However, give me a chance to explain why this is not just another rant about wanting technology for the sake of the "cool factor". The changes that have been made in no way change the reliability of the motor, drive chain, and (to an extent) chassis, so everyone's going to always stay on the track. Everyone knows every piece inside and out, and most importantly, everyone knows where the "wall" is -- that is, everyone knows doing XXXXX works, but XXXXY breaks the motor. There is no headroom for trying new things, there is basically no room at all to learn. The technology has simply been in use too long, and everyone knows every limit.
Without question, and with good reason, NASCAR can't afford to simply open up the specs, like we open-wheel people would like to see. However, they could solve this consistency/limits issue by issuing new specifications for engine and drivetrain every 5-7 years. And honestly, it wouldn't matter if it was "new technology" to the industry -- it just needs to be different technology to NASCAR. They could say for 2012-2018, we're using 3.6L V6s with five speed gearboxes. For 2019-2025, we're using 2.0L turbocharged 4cyl with four speed gearboxes and push-to-pass. For 2026-2031, we're using 2.5L turbodiesels with six speed gearboxes and variable ride-height technology. Hell, for 2032-2038, we're using 3.0L V12s.
The point is, NASCAR hasn't hit the "reset" button on the motor and drivetrain since the switch to small blocks about a thousand years ago. This has more or less removed the engine and drivetrain from the equation... almost everyone is equal or close to it in that department, and the wins and losses come from spending tens of millions in the wind tunnel, on suspension, and on pit stops. But stop and think about my premise -- the engine is a non-factor in NASCAR racing.
You change the motor and transmission, and you'll get excitement and intrigue. Jimmie lapped the field but his motor let go. Hamlin got the gearing all wrong for this track. Will Penske solve their reliability issue. Mario is slowing down. You get the idea.
Thoughts, insults, and laughter at my stupidity all welcome...