Suggesting new rules for NASCAR

So much controversy has been created during this year’s race to the championship that I thought I’d help NASCAR out by suggesting some rule changes for next year.

First of all, set the rules up at the beginning of the year and make sure all teams have them in writing. If a violation of the written rules is found in the pre-qualifying inspection, the team is sent home. If the violation is found after the race is over, the team forfeits all its points for that race.

We know crew chiefs will try to find ways to go around existing rules, so if something questionable, and not covered by rule is found, no penalties occur for that race. The questionable tactic is discussed by the NASCAR officials during the week and the tactic is either approved for all teams, or it is added as a violation and disallowed for all future races.

The top 35 rule has been a pain in the rump for many teams and their sponsors this year. Let’s have the fastest 42 teams make the field for each race and only allow one provisional per team per year.

The team highest in the point standings gets the provisional. If no team qualifies for the provisional, the fastest 43 cars make the race. Qualifying takes place two days prior to the race allowing for a rain cancellation. Then if rain cancels qualifying both days, Set the field by points. For the first race of the year, the final standings of the prior year are used.

Seeing as there is no incentive for winning a race, award twice as many points for winning a race than the second-place team receives.

Then make teams really earn those leading lap points. For short tracks, less than a mile and a half, a driver has to lead at least five laps to be awarded the points. For the cookie cutter tracks, those more than a mile but less than two miles in length, a driver has to lead at least three laps. For the large superspeedways, two laps led are required for the points.

This may eliminate teams helping out other teammates, or a driver staying out an additional lap after a caution. Some teams may struggle during qualifying, so let’s reward drivers who can charge to the front by awarding 20, 10, and 5 points to the three drivers who advance the most positions from their qualifying position.

Now for the championship. Why are we having 43 teams race in a championship race? Teams out of the championship can only cause problems by getting in the way. Also, some smart organizations with three or four cars in their stable can manipulate a race in favor of their championship driver. Not that I say they would cheat, (they wouldn’t do that), but a teammate not in the chase could get in the way of someone racing for the championship, or even better yet, cause a caution flag to be thrown that would be most favorable for a driver in the chase.

Let’s have 22 drivers qualify for the championship. In a 36-race season, this would occur during the first 32 races. The season is over for all other drivers not in the championship. These 22 drivers would then have an additional four races to determine a champion. These four races would occur on a short track, a medium size track, a superspeedway and a road course.

These type tracks could rotate each year so all could eventually get involved in the championship.

Finally, let’s get some new tracks into the mix, like Kentucky Speedway.