(By David Exum, Associate Editor, CupScene.com)
Posted: Thursday,January 21st, 2010
CONCORD, N.C. - Add Hendrick Motorsports’ Jeff Gordon to the growing list of drivers that would like to see NASCAR keep the yellow line rule at restrictor-plate tracks such at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway.
During a stop on the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour at Hendrick Motorsports on Wednesday, all four Cup drivers - Dale Earnhardt Jr., Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin - agreed that NASCAR shouldn’t tamper with the yellow line rule for the sake of safety.
“I wouldn’t be counting too much on the yellow-line rule to change,” Gordon said. “I do agree with Dale Jr., Jimmie and Mark that it would be cool if we could eliminate coming off Turn 4 on the final lap. We need to concentrate more on the bump drafting and the fans need to get ready for that. We were kind of policing it ourselves but it’s kind of go for it.”
CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 20: Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson (1L), driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2L), driver of the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, Mark Martin (2R), driver of the #5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, and Jeff Gordon (1R), driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, pose during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway, held at Hendrick Motorsports, on January 20, 2010 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images)
Gordon also disagrees with Kevin Harvick’s opinion that fewer rules would create better NASCAR racing. Denny Hamlin has also voiced his opinion that the yellow-line rule should be discontinued.
“Denny Hamlin is the new voice of the drivers in the garage area from what I understand,” Gordon said. “I love Denny and I hope he knows I’m only messing with him. (But) a rule is created for a reason. And it’s usually safety and that’s usually the leading factor.
Johnson is also a clear proponent of keeping the yellow-line rule.
“We need the yellow-line rule and I don’t think it’s a good idea not to have it,” Johnson said. “There are too many safety issues to consider.”
NASCAR’s yellow line rule says that no driver can pass below the “out of bounds” line to advance their position and is used at Talladega and Daytona. The penalty for doing so was a pass through the pits. However, controversial finishes over the last two seasons have the sanctioning body re-examining the ruling.
“What some of these guys don’t understand because they weren’t here before the yellow line rule was how crazy things were getting,” Gordon said. “The yellow line rule wasn’t as critical as it was but what do you do when you come off the trioval and there’s no yellow line rule. Right now, if there is a car coming off pit road, you know to stay down there. It helps maintain a little less chaos. I totally think we took things too far with the bump-drafting and I think we can police it ourselves.”
Dave Exum formerly worked as copy editor/web coordinator for NASCAR Scene. He also worked for the Boston Herald covering NASCAR for 10 years. He resides in Concord, N.C. Check out his blog: The Pit Stop
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