With the NASCAR season of 2010 being the year of "Boys, have at it," it is safe to say that the year of 2011 has been the year of the two car draft.
The two car draft, which started at Daytona International Speedway to start the 2011 season, turned to be a very controversial form of racing after three points paying restrictor plate races of the season. Teams now work together no matter what (for the most part) making similar pit calls, using the same spotter, and working on the same radio in a race. It is if two cars equals one team, but yet only one of the pair gets credit for the win in victory lane.
When it started, most people did not have any solid opinions of this foreign type of racing, especially since nobody actually knew what was going on and what the impact of this racing was.
Now, half way through the 2011 season, more people have made their opinions of it, saying it is either good, exciting racing, or saying it isn't real racing at all, and that the big packs of cars in the past were better shows at Daytona and Talladega. Some, are still on the fence about it.
Star drivers have also spoken out about the new type of racing in the recent weeks. Some, like Tony Stewart, say it is what it is, others like Ryan Newman, prefer this racing more than the old style, and drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr., have made their displeasure clear to the media.
Regardless of how exciting the racing is or which form is better, NASCAR needs to make a decision soon. By the time Speedweeks hits NASCAR again in 2012, NASCAR needs to be clear on which way they want the sport to go. NASCAR, using feedback from drivers and fans, needs to discover if this form really fits into the style in which NASCAR holds. Does this racing fit with what NASCAR was and is? All these questions and concerns remain controversial, but yet unanswered. It is now time for the sanctioning body to find the answers to them, so NASCAR Nation can move forward.
Nice work, Travis, and well said. Personally, I would like NASCAR to eliminate restrictor plates altogether as I think use of plates detracts from the caliber of racing at high speed tracks. If NASCAR is really serious about buys, have at it, they should dump the plates and watch the real racers have fun on the high banks.
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