NASCAR restrictor plate racing. How can it be made better?

[groucho]

If you can get rid of restrictor plates, what can you do to safely improve Super Speedway races? Reduce cubic inches? Add weight? Less "aero"? Smaller tires? Discuss

[STINEY]

Hmmmm....how about race actual "stock" cars?

I gave up on nascar somewhere in the 90's......... the IROC series was boring enough, they had to make it the norm.

[TheSilverBuick]

Hmmmm....how about race actual "stock" cars?

Exactly. Make them run hotrodded engines that come in the cars they represent. Kill some of the aero too. Start with a stock car, gut and cage it, install roof flapper things, lower and allow an air dam/splitter and spoiler.

[38P]

I say outlaw the purpose-built, non-production NASCAR V8s and require manufacturers to run a production-based five-liter engine . . . and allow DOHC and multi-valves if production-based. The cars would be more relevant to what's in the showrooms, and the speeds could be regulated better with smaller V8s.

Also, NASCAR needs to add more drag to the cars (especially the front), so that slingshot passes will work again (the current car does not generate enough "wake" for drafting passes. GEN 1, 2 and 3 NASCARS weren't as "slick" and thus made for more exciting action)

I would also consider a move back to bias-ply tires, which tended to place a bit more emphasis on raw driver talent and strategy, tended to smoke more in corners when driven hard (looks great on TV), and were more forgiving if overdriven.

[Bamfster]

Kinda like a stock eliminator car for nascar ....

BUT!.... this begs the question, why is everyone always wanting to slow stuff down? Improve the safety, race at your own risk as well as spectate at your own risk ...

[TheSilverBuick]

I say outlaw the purpose-built, non-production NASCAR V8s and require manufacturers to run a production-based five-liter engine . . . and allow DOHC and multi-valves if production-based. The cars would be more relevant to what's in the showrooms, and the speeds could be regulated better with smaller V8s..

If that ain't a bias statement. If the Ford's can run DOHC, the Chevy's should be allowed 6-7 liters. Doesn't Ford have a larger 6.2L engine or something?

[Aircooled]

Shrink the tires and limit aero downforce to force the drivers to slow down going into the turns.

[Bucky67]

I say outlaw the purpose-built, non-production NASCAR V8s and require manufacturers to run a production-based five-liter engine . . . and allow DOHC and multi-valves if production-based. The cars would be more relevant to what's in the showrooms, and the speeds could be regulated better with smaller V8s.

So, if we allow five-liter, DOHC production based engines; I guess we should outlaw the 4-speeds and move up to 6-speeds for Ford and 7-Speeds for Chevrolet?!?!

While we're making the cars to represent what can be bought on the show room, hell, go ahead and throw in traction control and active stability assist as well. Then let's throw in some Eco, that way they can conserve even more fuel. Hell, let NASCAR be like Indy and actually have a button on the steering wheel that controls how much fuel you use and don't use.....

Yes, ALL of this makes perfect sense to me!!!

[1970camaroRS]

1. No restrictor plate
2. Stock bodied production cars
3. Stock block engines that are available in that body type
4. Make them heavier
5. Smaller tire

The idea is to make the car harder to turn, slow down the corner speeds, and improve brand indentity. Make it more about the driver's skill in the corner and the ability to power down a straight. Also, make the cars identifiable. Different stickers on the nose isn't enough.

[Admirall2]

Pull the plates. That will definately get people's attention.

[Bucky67]

Pull the plates. That will definately get people's attention.

Agreed!! Then they'd have to slow down in the corners and handling would become an issue.

[Barry Donovan]

they could do lot of things..but its less thunder.

a whispering benz crank v8 would make an ass of all of it at 3.6 liters and a 4000 pounds. Who the hell wants genius taking it easy at 200mph anyway...?

back to stock cars screaming wobbly counterbalanced truck engines (as per every year of american v8 usual)... is back to fun.

if anyone has not noticed, it is 180 degrees away from formula precision...in a direction that should be extinct by now, but no. We all stand our ground.

[Chassisman]

Random snipers and random arming landmines......ya....that would do it..... :-)

[Deaf Bob]

Isn't the purpose of the plate to slow down the cars so the tires aren't oversped?
Speeds were too great, tires were not keeping up..
In the big block days, speeds were not as high ..
How long did it take to make up lost mph when the switch went to small blocks?

[JeffMcKC]

The Races are going just like they want, 43 sponcers on the TV for 3 hours, its not about racin

You want better Racing up the power and cut the spoiler off so they have to let off and pick the throttle up.
As long as they are flat footed and hooked up it will stay the same as a glass of water you slide pennies into up the power and its like dropping them all in at once.