Testing, testing, 1-2-3
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Can you dig it?
I think the reason it is coming about is because NASCAR has learned its lesson on the tire leasing program for testing. One of the reasons they went to the tire leasing program was to cut down on testing so teams wouldn't go out and get other brands of tires to use. But it has ended up costing the teams more money because instead of testing on the tires they race on and use every week, the teams were testing using old tires and other makes of tires from other manufacturers. It really has turned into a fiasco and never really accomplished what NASCAR had intended.
Remember this when we talk about rules that affect the teams. When they start talking about saving money, I don't think there is anyone in NASCAR today that realizes you can't save these teams money. It shouldn't be NASCAR's responsibility. They are not the accountants for these race teams. They should be worried about the cars at the track and what happens to those cars when they are under their control.
When those cars leave the race track, NASCAR shouldn't concern themselves about where teams go, what they do, how much they test, what they spend on technology or how many times they go to the wind tunnel. That is not NASCAR's problem. But they make it their problem and I think it has been a big mistake.
Listen to me: This is the rule of unintended consequences. NASCAR sits down and analyzes situations. They don't just knee-jerk every time they turn around. Until they own a race team (and they should have realized this after the amount of money they spent developing the COT car), you can't save money when it comes to racing. It's an oxymoron. It just doesn't work.
With the test leasing program, teams had to go out and spend more money to buy tires that really weren't even close to what they needed to be testing on because NASCAR wouldn't allow Goodyear to release tires to them.
I was a car owner. I paid my own bills from 1991 'til the spring of 1998 so I know what I am talking about. I speak from experience. I know what it takes to operate a race team. I realize it was 10 years ago and things have only gotten more expensive and things have only escalated.
One of the most frustrating things about the testing policy is that you have to run all over the country trying to find places to test. People now go to Kentucky, Nashville, Milwaukee, Iowa, Road Atlanta and so many others every day. If it's paved, they will go there. Big races tracks, small races tracks, road courses — it doesn't matter. These teams have test teams and R & D rigs and this is all they do, run all over the country and test.
An open testing policy will help everyone from big to little. I have always been of the opinion that they should open the track a day early. I have said this a million times but people always say, "Well, that's another day at the track." So let me get this straight: You don't mind flying people all over the country and driving up and down the highway, but you don't want to spend another day at the track? There's something wrong with that, isn't there?
That's why NASCAR can't help these guys, because they can't help themselves. Open the track a day early. You are at the right race track. You are there with everybody else. Let them put telemetry on the cars plus they will have the right tires at the right track. The information and data you get will be applicable to that track and that race.
That's why I always thought opening the track a day early was smart. We used to have a lot more practice time at the track than they do now. Now you only get a couple hours of practice time, then you go qualify, maybe a little more practice time and then you go race. We even used to have Happy Hour after the Nationwide race because track conditions for Sunday would be similar.
So open the track a day early. You don't have to come; it wouldn't be mandatory. If you didn't want to test, fine. But if you do, then you could have telemetry, two cars to try, NASCAR officials there, you are at the right track. And more important, you get information that is current and can be applied to that race weekend.
To me it is simple. Why they complicate it the way they do is beyond me. My final thought is NASCAR should do their job at the track and let teams do their job back at the shop. We have the COT because NASCAR thought they could build a better race car than these teams could — and that is just not possible. Let the teams be teams. Let the teams do what the teams do. NASCAR, well you be NASCAR and do what you do and don't try to be all things to all people.
Oh, by the way
Be There!
Visit SPEEDtv.com for the latest NASCAR show schedules.
I don't know if you have seen the story that was released to the media. Unbeknownst to me, someone at my dealerships in Franklin, Tenn., read a story about a young man that got ripped off on the Internet trying to buy a car. My dealership GM, John Gallagher, called me and filled me on this story of this decorated war hero who came home from Iraq, had saved his money to buy a car and got ripped off. So we decided to help this nice young man out. We weren't doing this for the publicity. We were, in our small way, just trying to help and make a difference to a war hero. He was totally blown away when we gave him the keys to the car. I just wanted to share it with you that we didn't do it for the publicity, we did it because it was the right thing to do for that young man who has done his part to help defend our country.
Oh, by the way II
We are going to be at Daytona this weekend. This will probably clear up some muddy water of who is going where and who is doing what in 2009. So things will be clearer after this weekend and then by the time we get to Indy for the Brickyard 400, that probably will be a big weekend for some announcements too. It should be pretty clear by then what folks are going to be doing next year, but if you want to know what they are doing simply go back and read my previous couple of columns.
Oh, by the way III
Folks, I am old school. I must be because my brother tells me I am every day. I write my columns from my heart and what I feel at the time. I try to share with you what I am thinking and share as much insight as I can. I love feedback and I love hearing what you think. But very seldom on the comments following my stories do I see comments about the story I wrote. You folks are talking to each other. I am glad you are coming here and using the site. How about while you are in the process of communicating with each other at least let me know what you think about the column? It doesn't matter if you disagree with the story. Let me know, 'cause I would love to hear your opinion.
Oh, by the way IV
Speaking of Daytona, I think you are going to see the battle of the Gibbs cars and the Hendrick cars. I think someone who hasn't won a race this year, out of either of those two camps, will win the race Saturday night. That is my prediction. So watch the race and see if I'm right. Talk amongst yourselves and let me know what you think.
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