Tuesday, 17 May 2011

11 Years of Change To NASCAR

   I am impressed and deeply appreciate NASCAR's actions on upgrading the safety feature and technology inside the race cars. After the great Dale Earnhardt Sr passed away from an accident in the 2001 Daytona 500 they started investigating on procedures they can do. Eventually they changed the entire shape and aerodynamics of the cars in order to have the large amount of safety features inside the cars. As a result the cars carry a lot more weight now than they did before and they almost guarantee to save a driver's life no matter how brutal the accident is.


   I find that the excitement builds up more and more now throughout each Sprint Cup season knowing that the Chase is getting closer and closer. I think it's fantastic that NASCAR has it's own version of the Playoffs, it also allows 9 drivers to be almost even with the points leader to have a better chance at winning the Championship. Fans find it more interesting as they are always looking forward to the beginning of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The "safer barriers" installation on most areas of the wall at all NASCAR circuits has drastically decreased the impact to the driver from making contact with the wall. At these insane speeds there are bound to be the rare incident where a driver will collide with the wall at a speed like 160 mph. The safer barrier is another great way to keep drivers safe. It's rare to see a driver hit a spot of the wall where there is no safer barrier installation, but when it happens the drivers often notice the difference and comment on the radio about the impact.

   The new points system format that NASCAR came up with for the start of this season is something I am not sure if I agree with yet. However what I do know is that this has caused the new biggest key to success in the standings is consistency. One DNF can send you back three or four spots in the standings, so this is causing drivers to not take big risks so they can stay alive in terms of the Chase. Drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, and Kevin Harvick are doing very well in the standings because they are good at being consistent.


   Mark Martin in that #5 car, but after some bad luck early in the season he finds himself in 11th in the Standings after the Dover race (May 15th). Mark finished 2nd in that race after electing not to pit while he was running about 14th. Staying on topic... drivers like Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, and Kasey Kahne are struggling in the standings because of DNF's and poor finishes. Jeff Burton is even further behind in the standings, he is 23rd in the points with no top 5 or top 10 finishes after 11 races in 2011.

   I expect for Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, and maybe Kasey Kahne will improve their consistency for the remaining events this season and will make the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup. I also predict that Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman who are currently inside the top 10 in points will find themselves not in the Chase this year. I would like to see Mark Martin make the Chase this season, but I have to admit I doubt it will happen. One thing is for sure... these drivers have had a lot to adapt to over the past 11 years. Now instead of Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, and Jeff Burton being the top drivers... unfortunately it is now Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, & Carl Edwards.

Written by: Tyler McMurter
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2 comments:

  1. TyMac1117 May 2011 at 22:04

    There was a night race at Phoenix in 2007 called the "Subway Fresh Fit 500". Tony Stewart was leading the race until Jeff Gordon made a risky, but clean pass on Tony to take the lead with about 12 laps to go. The 4 time champion would go on to win his 76th career Sprint Cup Series race.

    I thought it was amazing to see Jeff Gordon do a lap around the Phoenix circuit with a #3 Earnhardt flag instead of the checkered flag tradition. It truly showed how much respect and admiration Jeff has for the Intimidator, the 7 time champion. Gordon was honored to tie Earnhardt on the all-time wins list with 76 victories, after all Gordon dedicated his 2001 Sprint Cup Series Championship to Dale Earnhardt. It was the 2001 Daytona 500 where Earnhardt unfortunately passed away.

    I have two questions for everyone now:

    1. Did you find it offensive or respectful of Jeff Gordon to honor Dale Earnhardt after winning his 76th career win?

    2. Where do you classify Jeff Gordon when it comes to the best all-time NASCAR drivers? Where do you classify Earnhardt? Give me a top 10 list if you like!!!

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  2. Forced To Apply19 May 2011 at 07:41

    1.absolutely not, Gordon showed respect doing this

    2. Gordon is probably one of the all time best drivers. If you look at it, the chase has ruined his chances on two more cup championships putting him at 6. That is insane. Another reason is, he is the only standing driver to be with the same #, team, sponsor for over 18 years. That is a mark in itself. Another note to add is he found and saw talent in Jimmie Johnson. He brought him under his wing and brought him to Hendrick Motorsports. Now look at what JJ has become. Gordon, part owning the 48 team was another great decision made by Gordon. He didnt leave to go make his own team like most of these guys do, he has stuf with Hendrick his whole career which is remarkable. Gordon has struggled the past few years but he is getting much older but i still believe he can win and get another championship. He just needs Ray Evernham back haha.

    Earnhardt was the fuel to this sport and still is. I believe if he was still alive, we wouldnt have Toyota, the Chase, etc which would be awesome and I guarantee JJ would NOT have 5 championships. Everyone misses Earnhardt and we all Die Hard NASCAR fans know when racing was racing back in the day with him.

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