(photo courtesy Rusty Garrett/Getty Images)

The wing is gone and the spoiler is back.  Long live the spoiler!

The switch to the spoiler on the Car of Tomorrow (CoT) will now look more like the Car of Yesteryear!  It is also like team owners that change crew chiefs when things are not . . . → Read More: Hello Spoiler!]]>

(photo courtesy Rusty Garrett/Getty Images)

The wing is gone and the spoiler is back.  Long live the spoiler!

The switch to the spoiler on the Car of Tomorrow (CoT) will now look more like the Car of Yesteryear!  It is also like team owners that change crew chiefs when things are not working out so good for the team.  If it isn’t working, then let’s make a change and try something different!

The rear wing has been a sore subject every since its introduction, by the designer Gary Nelson, on the CoT three years ago.  The wing is a derivative from the wings that are on the Top Fuel dragsters in the NHRA.  Stung by criticism, Nelson was called in by the Bill France, Jr., at that time the chairman of NASCAR, for a discussion.  France, Jr. told him to do what he thought would work, so the wing was put on the race car.

Testing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway this week is likely to help teams learn more about the spoiler than prove that it will make the racing better. If nothing else, a technical change helps the rivals of driver Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports believe they might be able to find an edge against the four-time champion due to a change in the technical package.

Now with all the changes to the CoT, the changing of the wing for the spoiler is the easiest and most visible. But will it work?  Will the return of the rear spoiler lead to the same kind of controversy as the “Have at it boys” mentality?

Purely from the safety front, putting the spoiler back on the cars may allow the roof flaps to act more quickly and more efficiently is a strong possibility.  However, since speed is the deciding factor in producing lift, assuming that the speeds stay about the same, one can only hope that re-introducing the spoiler on the rear deck lid will help to destroy lift when the car gets turned around.  Additionally, maintaining the rear fin may be one of the most important developments in “dirtying up” or destroying lift as the air flows over the rear of the roof and rear deck lid in case the car gets turned around.

Keep a close eye on the Nationwide CoT cars.  These new cars may become a hotbed for possible changes for the Sprint Cup CoT.  The front end of the Nationwide cars are very different looking from the the Sprint Cup race cars.

The one good thing about NASCAR, the sanctioning body is not too proud to change things if it isn’t working out in the present form.

As Bill France, Jr. was quoted in referring to the wing on the CoT during its infancy, “Put the goddamn wing on the car and if it doesn’t work, don’t be too proud to take it off.”

What is your opinion?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(photo courtesy of Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images)

On the final day of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Media Tour, Brian France confirmed that the much discussed changes for the series will occur.  He reiterated that the purpose of those changes are to make the car drive better.

NASCAR, France said, is a “contact sport”, and . . . → Read More: NASCAR Makes The Changes For 2010 Official]]>

(photo courtesy of Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images)

On the final day of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Media Tour, Brian France confirmed that the much discussed changes for the series will occur.  He reiterated that the purpose of those changes are to make the car drive better.

NASCAR, France said, is a “contact sport”, and the leadership of NASCAR intends to let them “mix it up”.  “We are going to open it up”.  We want what you want”, France continued.

Those new changes were revealed at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. by series vice president of competition Robin Pemberton, and they include;

1. Elimination of the bump drafting restrictions.

2. Larger restrictor plates will be in place by Daytona.

3. Replace the rear wing with the rear blade spoiler, hopefully by April Texas race.

4. Beginning with Daytona, the Nationwide teams will be limited to 15 crew members, including driver, crew chief, spotter, and seven over-the-wall crew members total.

5. Nationwide teams may run no more than two races in 2010 without using an engine sealed by series officials.

6. Camping World Truck teams will use the double-file restarts, return to traditional style pit stops, and may use the new vented fuel cans which eliminate the catch cans.

However, the double yellow lines will remain in effect at both Daytona and Talladega for the foreseeable future.  Pemberton stated that the removal of the double yellow lines was not overwhelming desired by the drivers, so the double yellow lines stay in effect.

These changes stem from NASCAR’s desire to put the race back into the hands of the drivers.  France continued, “we intend to loosen up and make very good racing better”.

What is your take on the new rule changes for the 2010 season?

TILL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!