Post by dalejrfan on Apr 13, 2006 13:06:02 GMT -5
NASCAR is hoping that a new, less-rigid bumper configuration on its Nextel Cup cars will cut down on the bump drafting that has been blamed for some of the worst crashes in recent years.
The new bumpers will be in use for the first time in the race April 30 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Bump drafting is the art of banging into the rear of the car in front to gain momentum to make a pass. It works well on the straightaways but is not as effective in the turns, where a bump in the wrong spot can cause a car to spin out.
Two-time series champion Tony Stewart became so concerned about bump drafting after the exhibition Budweiser Shootout at Daytona in February that he said NASCAR needed to do something before someone was killed.
Before the next week's Daytona 500, NASCAR officials set up "No Zones" in the turns, where drivers were not allowed to bump draft. Officials also said overaggressive driving would be penalized, but that only slowed down the bump drafting a bit.
Softening the bumpers could make a lot more difference.
"I'm excited that NASCAR is doing something," said four-time Cup champion and four-time Talladega winner Jeff Gordon. "I was hoping for something like that a while ago."
www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/04/13/bumpers.dega.ap/index.html
The new bumpers will be in use for the first time in the race April 30 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Bump drafting is the art of banging into the rear of the car in front to gain momentum to make a pass. It works well on the straightaways but is not as effective in the turns, where a bump in the wrong spot can cause a car to spin out.
Two-time series champion Tony Stewart became so concerned about bump drafting after the exhibition Budweiser Shootout at Daytona in February that he said NASCAR needed to do something before someone was killed.
Before the next week's Daytona 500, NASCAR officials set up "No Zones" in the turns, where drivers were not allowed to bump draft. Officials also said overaggressive driving would be penalized, but that only slowed down the bump drafting a bit.
Softening the bumpers could make a lot more difference.
"I'm excited that NASCAR is doing something," said four-time Cup champion and four-time Talladega winner Jeff Gordon. "I was hoping for something like that a while ago."
www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/04/13/bumpers.dega.ap/index.html