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NASCAR goes soft on bump
NASCAR at Talladega
Date published: 4/28/2006
By JIM McCONNELL Drivers insist "bump drafting," or running into the rear bumper of the car in front of them to make both cars go faster, became necessary when NASCAR mandated the use of horsepower-sapping restrictor plates at Daytona and Talladega superspeedways. That hasn't stopped the sanctioning body from regulating the controversial practice twice already this season. Responding to a number of incidents during the Budweiser Shootout, NASCAR established "no zones"--areas entering the corners where bump drafting was prohibited--prior to the season-opening Daytona 500. The subject faded into the background as the Nextel Cup Series moved on to a series of shorter tracks, where the cars aren't subject to restrictor plates, but resurfaced earlier this month when NASCAR announced another safety-oriented rules change. When the 43 cars roll onto the track for the start of the Aaron's 499 Nextel Cup race Sunday at Talladega, their front bumpers won't be reinforced with heavy steel plates as many were two months ago in Daytona. In theory, at least, the "soft" bumpers are intended to limit drivers' ability to simply roll up behind another car and slam into it at full speed. "I give NASCAR 1,000 percent credit for being proactive. Hopefully it's the right thing," Tony Stewart said. "It's something we discussed with them in February. You know, if it's something that makes the racing better for everybody and keeps everybody out of that situation, then it's done its job." Stewart has been widely credited with bringing the issue of bump drafting into the public consciousness. That's because the defending Nextel Cup champion basically called out NASCAR after the Bud Shootout turned into a wild slam-fest. Stewart, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, said somebody was going to get killed if NASCAR officials didn't do something to stop the incorrect use of bump drafting in the corners. The no-zones seemed to accomplish their intended mission, namely making drivers more aware of where they were on the track when they rammed into the back of another car. But several drivers joked about the nebulous nature of the restrictions, pointing out that it's hard to know whether you're bumping someone in a prohibited zone when you're going 185 mph.
Date published: 4/28/2006
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