(By Sarah Farlee Managing Editor, CupScene.com)
Posted: Friday,February 5th, 2010
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.— Fans voiced their opinions and NASCAR listened. This year when NASCAR drew the line in the sand they used a twig instead of a log.
The message from NASCAR was blunt – “have at it, and have a good time”. Drivers were given the green light on self-policing, and general etiquette. The sanctioning body decided to loosen the reins on drivers. This move is not a new concept, but seems to have drivers excited about the possibilities.
Two-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart says that NASCAR isn’t necessarily going to stop enforcing rules, but rather allow the on-track etiquette to be handled by drivers. After all, said Stewart, that’s how everybody learns.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 04: Competitors drive during practice for the 2010 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday February 4, 2010. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)
“They’re still gonna police everything,” said Stewart. “Trust me, they’re still the father figures of the group here, and it has to be that way. When it comes to the etiquette side they’re putting it back into the drivers’ hands and I think that’s something that we’re all appreciative of.”
“It’s always been a situation when I started in this deal,” Stewart added. “The drivers kind of let you know what the etiquette was. That’s how you learned. I don’t think it’s bad for the drivers to kind of get back into that role.”
That role is something Stewart would not be shy of filling. Stewart adds that drivers tend to discuss issues pertaining to etiquette and when a driver ‘doesn’t get it’ then the ‘tough love sessions’ begin.
“I’ve never been shy about it in the past,” said Stewart. “I’m not going to be shy about it now.”
Kyle Busch says he doesn’t know how much control drivers will actually get, but says any change that has the fans in mind is a positive one.
“The fans want to see different things,” said Busch. “Left and right, a lot of things we’ve done over the past. The winner here with the restrictor plate change, with the spoiler coming on later in the season – that’s all fan- induced.”
“They wanted to see some better racing, some more excitement,” Busch added. “I feel like it’s something that NASCAR is actually paying attention to and doing better for the sport.”
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. agrees with the changes making competition better. Earnhardt says allowing drivers to self police is also a move in the right direction.
“I’m glad NASCAR is making the rule changes that they’ve made, said the things they’ve said,” Earnhardt said. “I feel like it’s going to be good for competition, which should help the way the races appear.”
“It will be interesting really to see exactly what gets penalized and what doesn’t,” Earnhardt added.
When it comes to being penalized, Ryan Newman says there is always a line.
“It’s simple,” said Newman. “I think if you wreck somebody on purpose in the middle of the straight then you will still get parked because that is putting somebody in danger.”
“But if you get in a corner and you tangle and you hit each other,” added Newman. “I think they will be okay with that.”
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