HOME > INSIDE NASCAR

March 2, 2007

NASCAR News Rewind
That New Car of Tomorrow Smell Edition
By Dennis Michelsen

Every week so much happens in the world of NASCAR. As a public service we will attempt to wrap up the three biggest stories of the week in one easy to follow story every week. Just because we can't resist being wise guys we will also present our take on the news!

COT Full time in 2008?
NASCAR officials won't rule out the possibility that the "car of tomorrow" might run full time in 2008 instead of another partial Nextel Cup season. With more than 50 Nextel Cup teams testing at Bristol Motor Speedway today in preparation for the new model's debut in the 2007 race, talk about the difficulty of teams and drivers competing with two models is growing. NASCAR officials have been hearing that for some time, and speculation has been rampant that the series would move up the schedule for running the model in all series races. The car of tomorrow will be used in 16 races this season and is currently slated for 26 of the 36 points races in 2008. "We're hearing a lot of talk already about it and understandably so," Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby said of changing to a full schedule with the model in 2008. "It's difficult to run the two programs. It's difficult for our side to run two programs knowing what rules apply to what car." Would the sanctioning body consider making that change? "If the garage says, 'Look we're all in,' we're all in," he said. (Scene Daily)

My Take: If the COT is successful in its part time duty this season there is no reason not to implement the COT full time in 2008 and beyond. Teams and drivers will have a hard time bouncing between two unique cars. Also the cost for maintaining two separate production lines to build and maintain both car types will be horrible on the teams. NASCAR wants to reduce costs and even the playing field with the COT. While there is still a debate whether that plan will work, there is no doubt that the longer two different car types are run the big teams will have the advantage!

Burton Comments on Martin; Martin testing at Bristol
Mark Martin signed up to run 22 races in the #01 US Army Chevy in 2007. However, with his success in the first two races cause him to re-think that plan? "I'd bet almost anybody right now today that Mark Martin runs all 38 races" said fellow driver and long-time friend #31-Jeff Burton. "Matt (Kenseth) and I told him (Martin) before the Daytona 500 that we both bet that he would run every race. I believed it before the year started and I believe it even more today." Burton felt all along that if Martin would be up front competing for wins it would be almost impossible for him to give up his ride to Regan Smith for 16 races. "I know him really well" said Burton. "I hate to use this analogy but he's like a drug addict that can't get away from it…and that's a horrible analogy but this is an addicting thing and when you're having success it's much, much harder to walk away. The only way that he wouldn't is if they'd gone to Daytona and got in a wreck or gone to California and had some kind of problem. Mark Martin isn't going to have a car owner look him in the eye and say, "Hey, we have a chance to win a championship and him say well I'm not riding. I know he's not going to. He can say all he wants to but he's not scheduled to run Bristol but who's doing the Bristol test? Mark Martin." While the official Bristol scoring rundown indicates Regan Smith was testing both US Army cars, Martin was in fact turning laps in the teams' "A" machine. (PRN's Garage Pass radio show)

My Take: Mark Martin is a man of his word! When he says he is going to retire…well I better stop myself right there. Martin might someday eclipse the number of Rocky sequels with his retirement tours! All kidding aside Mark Martin is a class act and whether he decides to stay or go after the first five races let's wish him well in that decision. When you have done as much for the sport as Mr. Martin has done you have earned the right to have the fan's support in anything you choose to do!

Baldwin to crew chief Mayfield?
Hearing that Tommy Baldwin Jr. will crew chief the #36 360 OTC Toyota that Jeremy Mayfield at Las Vegas and beyond. Derrick Finley was the crew chief for the first two races but the team has failed to qualify for the first two races of the 2007 season. (Jayski.com)

My Take: It is sort of fitting that Jeremy Mayfield has had a headache-producing season to this point, considering his sponsor! Tommy Baldwin Jr. is just the guy to remove all doubts whether it is the car setup or the driver that is failing to get the job done. Take a look at the difference in qualifying efforts between the two Bill Davis Racing cars and you see which driver is more talented. Jeremy Mayfield will battle Jamie McMurray for the title of "Most disappointing driver" in 2007.