On the Loose Side
A NASCAR BLOG BY Kenny Bruce
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Wide-open testing would help NASCAR, not hurt it
Jun
29
LOUDON, N.H. – NASCAR officials tossed crew chiefs in the Sprint Cup Series a big, fat softball Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when meeting to discuss the testing schedule for 2009.
In effect, crew chiefs were told that the sanctioning body was open to suggestions ranging from the current limited schedule to a wide-open testing program that would allow teams to test as often, and at as many places, as they deemed necessary.
That’s good in theory, but the bottom line remains unchanged. NASCAR still has the final say in what the testing schedule will look like, and while opening it up to unlimited opportunity might seem like a good idea, it’s unlikely to pass muster when the final decision is made.
Still, a no-holds-barred approach to testing is probably best for the sport today.
Would such a move drive up costs? Not drastically. Teams already test as often as they can. When they aren’t taking part in a NASCAR-scheduled test, they’re rushing off to Kentucky, Virginia International or some other such track.
The costs associated with the sport aren’t going to drop if such a policy isn’t adopted. And they won’t remain unchanged. They’ll continue to rise regardless of NASCAR’s decision. But the fact that the past few years have seen the arrival of dedicated test teams and an increase in testing at non-Cup tracks, continuing to limit testing isn’t going to save any teams money either. Teams, big and small, are going to test as much as their budget allows. Because in this sport, a penny saved is a second behind.
Auto racing is big business today. But at its core, it’s still entertainment. Fans want to see the best drivers and teams put on the best show possible each week. Unlimited testing would be a step in allowing that to happen.
While it may also increase the gap between the super teams and those that are struggling, this isn’t 1965. The sport has changed. Wanting it to be “like it used to be” isn’t going to change things nor is it reasonable.
In effect, crew chiefs were told that the sanctioning body was open to suggestions ranging from the current limited schedule to a wide-open testing program that would allow teams to test as often, and at as many places, as they deemed necessary.
That’s good in theory, but the bottom line remains unchanged. NASCAR still has the final say in what the testing schedule will look like, and while opening it up to unlimited opportunity might seem like a good idea, it’s unlikely to pass muster when the final decision is made.
Still, a no-holds-barred approach to testing is probably best for the sport today.
Would such a move drive up costs? Not drastically. Teams already test as often as they can. When they aren’t taking part in a NASCAR-scheduled test, they’re rushing off to Kentucky, Virginia International or some other such track.
The costs associated with the sport aren’t going to drop if such a policy isn’t adopted. And they won’t remain unchanged. They’ll continue to rise regardless of NASCAR’s decision. But the fact that the past few years have seen the arrival of dedicated test teams and an increase in testing at non-Cup tracks, continuing to limit testing isn’t going to save any teams money either. Teams, big and small, are going to test as much as their budget allows. Because in this sport, a penny saved is a second behind.
Auto racing is big business today. But at its core, it’s still entertainment. Fans want to see the best drivers and teams put on the best show possible each week. Unlimited testing would be a step in allowing that to happen.
While it may also increase the gap between the super teams and those that are struggling, this isn’t 1965. The sport has changed. Wanting it to be “like it used to be” isn’t going to change things nor is it reasonable.
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