Brains and braun

Colin Braun's just 19, but he could be the future of Cup racing, Larry McReynolds says as he dishes on racing's top young stars.

Gimme a break

The Cup guys are off this weekend, but DW isn't laying off the throttle as he runs down his idle thoughts during the break.

Ask the Pros!

Need an answer from our NASCAR experts? Pick a question from our interactive Ask the Pros feature and get educated.

Despite better racing, manufacturers anticipate more rule changes

by Larry McReynolds

FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds has more than 25 years of NASCAR experience as a mechanic, crew chief and broadcaster.

Updated: March 17, 2005, 12:48 PM EST

add this RSS blog email print

Last week at Las Vegas, I moderated a roundtable discussion with car manufacturers, Goodyear, NASCAR's tire manufacturer, and NASCAR's vice president of competition, Robin Pemberton, and we talked about the state of the sport.

NASCAR on FOX: Atlanta
Sun., March 20: Golden Corral 500 presented by M3Power from Gillette on FOX, 12:30 p.m. ET

Photo Gallery...
Photos: Johnson wins Vegas Cup race

Also...

POLL: Who's the sexiest driver?

Riding with Dale Jr.: Las Vegas

Analysis...
WALTRIP: Hendrick lights up Las Vegas
BEHRENDT:
DARBY Q&A:

You always get the feeling that these manufacturers know another rule change is lurking. You don't always know what it might be. It may be another 1/4 or 1/2 inch off of the rear spoiler down the road, and you get the feeling that they can't and won't quit thinking about it because the potential for change is always out there.

I was one of the guys who questioned cutting the rear spoiler and going to a softer tire this year, but I like what I'm seeing so far. We've been to two race tracks where we have struggled to find two grooves of racing and a lot of lead changes in the past. But we saw side-by-side racing with at Fontana and Las Vegas.

The rule changes have made the cars less aero-dependent. NASCAR didn't do anything to the front of the car, but when a car that's faster catches a car in front of him, he can drive around him. With the smaller spoiler, the car in front isn't poking such a big hole in the air and taking downforce off of the nose of the car behind him.

Speed Mail Larry McReynolds


SpeedMail Subject: Comment/Question: Name: Email: Hometown:

We had 2 1/2 to 3 grooves of racing at Las Vegas last weekend. I know there are still several race tracks on the schedule where it's hard to pass and track position is everything, but right now, the new package allows the drivers and chassis specialists to do more because aero push and the dependence on aero has diminished.

I wasn't sure if we just got lucky at Fontana, but obviously, we had some good side-by-side racing and cars that were able to run different grooves of the race track at Las Vegas as well so I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds has more than 25 years of NASCAR experience as a mechanic, crew chief and broadcaster. He and his fellow Crew Chief Club members take you behind the wall at www.crewchiefclub.com.

"Larry McReynolds: The Big Picture" is on bookstore shelves now, or you may order your own autographed copy from www.DWStore.com.

Please note by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

NASCAR HEADLINES

FOX SPORTS NASCAR VIDEO

Under the Hood: Record-setter?

No NASCAR driver in the modern era has won more than 13 races in a single season. FOXSports.com's Lee Spencer says with the way things have been going for Kyle Busch, 14 wins is a very realistic goal.

Race Recap: Chicagoland

FOXSports.com recaps all the action from this weekend at Chicagoland. Watch highlights of Kyle Busch's seventh win of the season and hear what he had to say about the win.