NASCAR 2010 Season is Here!

It's been a long off-season, at least for me. I'm so glad NASCAR racing is back. There were a few changes that have been made to make racing more exciting. Personally, I believe racing is exciting, just by definition. NASCAR instituted double file restarts in 2009 for Sprint Cup and then for Nationwide. This year there will also be double file restarts in Camping World Trucks. I like that move. You get to watch a brand new race start after every caution.

NASCAR is putting an end to no bump drafting. Last year NASCAR mandated that they have to "see sunlight" between the cars around the corners. That was a disaster. Nothing like watching 43 cars riding around the track on the top, nose to tail. This year they can do what they want. Of course all drivers are aware that if they push a car in the corner, that car will probably wreck.

NASCAR is also letting the drivers be more aggressive without them having to worry about a penalty. "Rubbing is racing". But I have to wonder if crashing is also racing. Is it more exciting to have more cautions? I have to admit it will be great to see retaliation again. You got into me, now take that! However, it does sound ominously like a wreck-fest. And to me that is not racing. Can't they race up to the car ahead and pass without getting into that car? To me, racing is passing, not wrecking.

I guess we'll see how it goes. The Gatorade Duels, the qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were great. Both of them had very close finishes. And not too many cautions. So, maybe the drivers are giving us fans what we want, after all. Good, hard, close racing. Without the need to crash the other driver out. I like it.

The media is giving NASCAR Fan Council credit for the changes. I'm proud to say I am on the Council. Now if they could only listen to those of us who want to get rid of the chase. The media loves it because they have something to talk about. The fans don't like it because that's all they talk about. Who is in or not. Even before the Daytona 500! It was better when NASCAR had fans of 43 drivers watching, instead of fans of only 12-15 drivers watching. Something for NASCAR to consider. What will make the fans watch? The chase, in my opinion, isn't doing it. Especially the last ten races. Fans of 43 drivers could be watching. Instead only fans of 12 drivers are watching. And die-hards, like me.

Thanks for listening, NASCAR. Now go one step further. Put the season back to 36 races so more fans will watch and more Sponsors will want to participate.