November 2 , 2009
David Poole was Right about Talladega
By Dennis Michelsen
When Bill France built Talladega he never imagined technology making the cars faster than his new modern marvel of a race track could handle. Sunday at Talladega we got a vivid reminder that this track has out lived his usefulness in the modern era of NASCAR. Thankfully the safety of the cars prevented tragedy but we are all kidding ourselves if we think NASCAR can micro manage their way to safe racing here. Two cars flipped over and one driver needed to be cut out of his car. NASCAR dodged a huge bullet again this weekend but since no one got killed they will sell more tickets and do it all over again next season! But reflecting on this demonstration of speed (Sorry but I can't call it a race) we saw I am left thinking that David Poole was right about Talladega.

Drivers Need to be Represented
After seeing two cars glued together exceeding that magic speed number of 195mph that scares NASCAR they had two choices going into the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega. They could have handed out even smaller restrictor plates but NASCAR knew the two car phenomenon would still produce higher speeds. Instead Mike Helton went to the podium to warn drivers to keep daylight between their bumpers in the corners or they would be punished. Several segments of the race were long single file parades with not a single pass! All three times you might have noticed that a non-Chase guy was leading the pack so none of the Chase guys would be worried about losing the five bonus points for leading the most laps. Drivers would then match up and draft and despite many warnings NASCAR never threw the penalty flag! The drivers did a good job of sending a message to NASCAR that they are still in charge and can stink up the show if they choose to do so at any time! NASCAR needs to add a former driver with everyone's respect that can help them understand the driver's mentality about racing! Mike Helton, John Darby and the rest that make the rules don't understand what these drivers do every week! The drivers need to be represented by someone that understands the sport from a driver's standpoint.

Safer Cars Flipping Too Often
NASCAR will be spending all week patting themselves on the back for the safe racecars that allowed Ryan Newman and Mark Martin to walk away from roll over wrecks. But the ease at which both cars flipped over should worry everyone. The way the roof on the No. 39 car collapsed against the driver's noggin should worry everyone. The higher center of gravity of these cars does seem to allow them to flip over too easy. Years ago roof flaps were added to keep the old cars on the ground and those same size roof flaps are used with this car. More testing needs to be done to make sure everything is being done to keep up with the safety technology and keep these cars from getting airborne or flipping over. Thankfully this week NASCAR got away without serious injuries but there shouldn't be a death to get the cars better and bigger roof flaps!

Not Real Racing
Restrictor Plate racing at Talladega is turning these two races every year into a novelty act…this is NOT real racing! But the fans bought a lot of tickets and that inspires NASCAR to keep the insanity going for another year. Other tracks were forced to make changes to get the racing better and safer but Talladega has been exempt because this kind of event draws a lot of fans. Figure eight racing at Bristol would also attract fans but that would be a novelty act too. Feeding non NASCAR fans to the lions might also attract a huge fan base but I do believe that might be deemed illegal! Nobody was fooled into thinking this was the kind of racing that will bring more fans to the sport every week because the real fans want to see real racing. NASCAR didn't need to threaten penalties since the two-car draft is self enforcing! If drivers hook up too long they will cook their motor.

Memorial Bulldozers
NASCAR has tried to regulate driver behavior with rules to affect the racing at Talladega but nothing they try will work! Two times a year every year we will be sitting at the edge of our seats and a successful weekend will be one where everyone who came gets to go home in one piece. Racing is an inherently dangerous business and that will never change. But when a racetrack out grows the technology it is time to admit there needs to be a change. Since nothing can be done to the cars to make them adjust to the track then it might be time to adjust the track instead. Computer modeling and engineers can tell you what the magic number is when it comes to maximum banking on a track this size. If the track makes them slow down you won't get the huge packs but you will get better racing! Maybe David Poole was right about Talladega that the bulldozers need to take the banking down a few degrees.

Tune in tonight for Joe Castello's WFO RADIO and the Monday night edition of DOIN' DONUTS. Joe will look back at NASCAR, Formula One and the NHRA while Lori and I will concentrate on adding sprinkles to the night on DONUTS. The fun begins at 6pm ET so don't miss it!