by Larry McReynolds

Updated: February 4, 2007, 7:04 PM EST

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It was a very productive meeting, and it's so good that NASCAR doesn't hide behind closed doors. The governing body and the broadcasters realize that this is a partnership. We're holding hands, doing the best job we can at promoting and broadcasting this sport. It was great refresher course on how everything works from freezing the field to rules on pit road to why NASCAR makes the calls they make.

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Capping past champs

They helped us understand the new championship provisional rule. In the past, there was no cap on using the championship provisional. A former title winner could use it in all 36 races. Now, a driver must have participated in at least one event the previous year. For example, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip would not be eligible for it in 2007. Starting this year, it can only be used six times by one driver or team.

It will keep teams from hiring Bill Elliott for six races and then hiring Terry Labonte for six more races. Labonte doesn't plan on racing this year so the rule mainly will affect Bill Elliott and Dale Jarrett. Nothing against those drivers, but this rule change is long overdue. No one had done anything wrong, and a lot of people made great business decisions to use it. But the intent of the rule was being circumvented.

No free pass changes

Brad from Forest Hill, Md.: Have you heard any word from NASCAR in regard to limiting the number of times a driver can receive the Lucky Dog (free pass back onto the lead lap) during a race in 2007?

Larry McReynolds: Great question because it was asked at our seminar, but the Lucky Dog rule won't change this year. I am a fan of the fact that it has made freezing the field work, but I'm a proponent of limiting how many times a driver can get it in a race. At some races, it can get a little ridiculous how many times one driver actually uses it.

One great limit that's been implemented involves drivers who have been penalized. If a lead-lap car is involved in an accident with another driver, and NASCAR makes a discretionary call that it's rough driving, they will hold that driver for a one-lap penalty. For the remainder of the race, the driver can't make up that lap by virtue of the free pass. He would have to make up that lap by driving by the leader on the race track under green. If he goes another lap down, he can make up that lap with the Lucky Dog.

COT not for Busch

Mark from Jackson, Mich.: Is the Car of Tomorrow only for Nextel Cup, or will it be used in the Busch Series as well?

Larry McReynolds: Right now, it will only be used in Nextel Cup. It's not even being considered for Busch. If indeed by 2009, 100 percent of Cup races will be run with the Car of Tomorrow, it would do a better job of differentiating the Cup cars from the Busch cars.

No Buschwhacking limits

Nick from Lincoln, Neb.: I know that NASCAR has to please sponsors for the Busch Series, and to do this, bringing fans into the stands and watching on TV is key. But do you think there will ever be a time when NASCAR limits "full-time" Cup drivers on racing attempts in the Busch Series? It could allow young talent to prove them selves in good cars. The downfall is major sponsors for the teams might not be willing to have an unproven rookie even race in the Busch Series. How can some of these young guys be competitive when they are racing against NASCAR superstars? I'd rather see the future of NASCAR racing on Saturdays than a preview of Sunday's race.

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Larry McReynolds: Former Busch Series owner, Greg Pollex, put his finger on the real problem facing the Busch Series. Pollex said that he didn't have a problem racing against Mark Martin, Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and all of the others. "If our driver is not good enough to outrun those guys, I need a different guy," Pollex said. He said that his team was struggling to outrun Hendrick, Childress, Gibbs, Roush, Yates and DEI.

I don't know how NASCAR can fix or control that problem, but there won't be nearly as many drivers doing double duty this year. A lot of them aren't entertaining the idea of racing a lot of companion events with the Car of Tomorrow because they don't see the point in doing it. Over time with the COT, this problem could almost fix itself. But it's not the drivers; it's the organizations that make it tough on these standalone Busch teams.

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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.

"How to Become a Winning Crew Chief" is on bookstore shelves, or you may order your own autographed copy from www.DWStore.com.