NASCAR Mailbag: Should NASCAR change its post-race penalty policies?

Do you think burnouts hide violations? Consider the fall Talladega race, Oct., 2011.  Chad Knaus telling Jimmie Johnson emphatically to damage the back end in the burnout.  NASCAR basically buried it, because, well, this is champion JIMMIE JOHNSON. That team can't be hiding anything...right? – From William

William, this question was also brought up a few weeks ago. My answer remains the same as then. In theory, an area of the car which had been manipulated prior to or during the race could be "covered up" per se from damage during an extensive burnout. But that would require foreknowledge by the crew chief, the pit crew and the driver (who actually does the burnout). In reality, NASCAR has never found any team guilty of using a burnout to cover up a rules violation. So in essence, right now there may be a perception problem but there has been no proof of an actual one. – Jim Utter

Why can't NASCAR implement an if you are caught cheating your car doesn't get on the track for the next race policy? – From Phillip

Phillip, the old adage, ‘If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying,’ is part of a long-standing cat-and-mouse game in NASCAR. Still, NASCAR can’t afford to lose car counts at this time. So parking a competitor is out of the question. However, if the sanctioning body wanted to send a message, it would start taking away wins immediately. Teams know they can “buy” wins by paying fines for cheating — if the infractions are discovered. For the top teams, cheating is worth the risk for a win. Bill France’s philosophy of wanting the fans to know who won the race before leaving the track doesn’t wash in the age of social media. – Lee Spencer

Concerning the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte. What would make the track owners, and NASCAR think that a road course race there would be any different in ticket sales? Do you think that it is time to do away with the Bank of America race? Do you think it is time to bring back North Wilkesboro and Rockingham? The Bank of America 500 race could easily be replaced. And probably should be. Thanks for your time. – From James

First of all, North Wilkesboro isn’t viable at this time. NASCAR attempted to run trucks at the Rock and the fan support wasn’t there. With the current contracts in place between NASCAR and tracks, events are moving anywhere. The Roval may be a novelty but as we have seen on other road courses, the multiples turns and chicanes create artificial passing zones that don’t naturally occur on 1.5-mile ovals. With the dwindling support for the Charlotte fall race, if the Roval can attract new fans or bring back old fans, I’m all for it. Would I prefer a traditional road course in the playoffs? Absolutely. But I commend Charlotte Motor Speedway for thinking outside of the oval. – Lee Spencer

Do you think the cars at Talladega and Daytona need a small adjustment to yield more passing for the lead? It seems now the cars are just stuck in line. – From Brent

Thanks for the question Brent. No. There were 30 lead changes in last weekend's race at Talladega. In April, which was considered one of best races of the season, there were 26. Last year, there were 31 and 37 lead changes, respectively, at the Talladega Cup races. Sunday's race was not out of the ordinary. – Jim Utter

How soon could Ford switch to the Mustang body in Monster Cup? – From Tony

Tony, under Section: 20.4.1 APPROVED BODY DESIGNS in the NASCAR Rule Book, Ford would have had to submitted the Mustang design by Sept. 1, if the manufacturer wanted to compete with that body for the 2019 Cup season. NASCAR has a 25-page document of the parameters that OEMs have to follow once the design is formally submitted that includes testing and development through final submission. – Lee Spencer

With Nascar announcing the new rules on no ride heights for the cars in 2018 at plate races, Does that change help the cars handle in the pack? – From Kevin

Kevin, speaking to a Cup series crew chief, the ride height change on superspeedways will do several things - cars will require a lot less parts; the cars will be faster; and they are likely to handle better, particularly on the straightaways and dogleg areas of the tracks. – Jim Utter