CAN NASCAR BE FIXED?

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NASCAR's over-publicized closed-door meetings following the debacle at the Memorial Day UN-Classic "Coca-Cola 340" have now come and gone. The ideas, if any, of the superteams and the scripted, prepackaged millionaire "star" drivers are now rattling around in the seemingly empty heads of the NASCAR bosses.

Did NASCAR actually listen? More importantly, will NASCAR someday listen to racing fans, who are the ones that really are paying the billions (directly and indirectly) for the "show?"

Truth With Speedzzter doubts it.

Undoubtedly NASCAR will take some action to prop up the status quo. It will be mostly window dressing and will not address the growing structural problems that undermine fan interest in "stock car" racing.

The real question is, can NASCAR BE SAVED FROM ITSELF?

If NASCAR is to be saved, fundamental changes are necessary.

Here's a few of the problems (and some modest solutions):

1. The fans cannot identify with the cars anymore.

Solution: return to production-based race cars and engines; dump the "common template" FUNNYCar-of-Tomorrow (COT).

2. The fans cannot identify with the superteams.

Solution: return to production-based race cars and dump the "common template" COT so that 100+ crewmen and engineers aren't necessary to run a "Cup team;" Force the superteams to disclose all of their engine, chassis and body specifications to the public on the Internet (which wouldn't really be a problem with a more production-based formula) and to sell cars and engines to whomever wants to buy them (or require participating OEMs to sell turnkey NASCAR racers, similar to Ford Racing's FR500 Mustangs); Ban the "big rig" transporters and put strict limits on crew sizes; institute a separate championship award for single car teams; Limit the number of chassis and engines that a team can use for a season (tracked with VIN numbers and permanent markings).

3. The fans cannot identify with all of the "riding instead of racing" and stroking.

Solution: return to production-based race cars and dump the "common template" COT so that there's a greater possibility of passing; cut the maximum engine size to 300 cid, require modern OEM production EFI V8s and allow production OHC/DOHC; change the points system to encourage more battling for the lead: payout prize money and points based on position at the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and full race distances.

4. The fans cannot identify with cookie-cutter tracks.

Solution: fewer visits to the "McOvals;" protect the unique, historic "Wrigley Field' tracks like Darlington, Martinsville, Bristol, Richmond and Dover; ban new ovals longer than 3/4 miles; Put more short tracks and wide road courses on the schedule; institute a "cup" class at the 24 Hours of Daytona.

5. The fans cannot identify with highway robbery ticket prices.

Solution: Cut the prices; Get rid of the Camping World Trucks and the Nationwide Series and make all of the support series races run "cup-spec" cars; add more variety to events (i.e. "Roval" support or qualifying races for an oval "cup" event; run an event or two on dirt).

6. The fans cannot identify with rain delays and cheap, rain-shortened wins.

Solution: Rain tires and windshield wipers. Red flag only torrential downpours. Cut the points and prize money awarded for rain-shortened races.

7. The fans cannot identify with single-file, "follow the leader" "racing."

Solution: Double file restarts or perhaps even Indy/WOO-style 3-wide restarts at some tracks; encourage development of an OEM production KERS system for "push to pass" power boosts; allow production-based six-speed transmissions with multiple top-gear ratios so that drivers will have an Indy-style option of a cruising gear and a passing gear.

8. The fans cannot identify with single car qualifying and the protected "Top-35" rule.

Solution: Qualifying heats and fields inverted on season points.

9. The fans cannot identify with "Toyotas" in NASCAR.

Solution: Limit the series to U.S.-Headquartered manufacturers and cars designed and built in North America; require current, production-based car engines (no truck engines; no "clean sheet" racing engines; no "common-template" engines).

10. The fans cannot identify with "the aero push."

Solution: return to production-based race cars and dump the "common template" COT; raise the ride height; reduce downforce and make the cars more dependent upon mechanical grip; reduce speeds at most tracks with smaller engines and reduced aerodynamic "slickness" (increased drag); return to harder bias-ply tires that produce fewer "marbles," are more "forgiving," and which will smoke when over-driven in the corners; force track owners to repave and/or prepare their tracks for multiple grooves.

Don't count on much, if any, of this happening. NASCAR is dead and the France Family apparently has no clue how to reanimate the frigid corpse.