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NASCAR, once listed as the fastest growing spectator sport in the country, is undergoing major changes over the next few years. What impact will these changes have and, will they be good for the sport?

We'll start with the changes in the Race for the Cup. The final ten races of each season are considered as the Chase. In the last few years, only the top ten drivers in points and anyone within 400 points were eligible for the Chase. This year, the 400 point window is gone and the Chase will include the top 12 drivers. Each driver will be given five thousand points, plus an additional ten points for each victory they had during the first 26 races. Will these changes make the Chase more exciting? Only time will tell. It is good marketing strategy though, if it works and the Chase is more exciting, we'll have to tune in to find out. If it doesn't work and the Chase is boring, we'll have to tune in to find out. Either way, sponsors will have a captive audience to sell to while we see which way it goes.

There are several drivers coming over from other racing series to join NASCAR. Will open wheel drivers be able to contend in stock cars? I think they will but it will take some time for them to adjust.

Toyota is joining NASCAR this year, becoming the first foreign car to compete in American stock car racing. Will they succeed? Can they succeed? They will probably struggle in the beginning but will eventually be able to keep up. The bigger question is does Toyota belong in the sport? Opinions vary on this but don't count on NASCAR listening to any of them. The decision has been made and unless Toyota pulls out on their own, they are here to stay.

Another big change is the Car of Tomorrow, or COT as it's called. This idea is supposed make all teams equal as far as the car goes. Will it work? Who knows. Teams are divided on the idea. Some of the drivers like the COT and some don't. Small teams are worried about the financial impact it will have. This season and next season, they will have to build two types of cars; the COT and the currently used models of Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge. This increased cost will certainly have an impact on teams large and small. So, how do the teams balance out this added expense? Well, it's actually pretty simple, increase incoming money. But how do they do this? Well, Roger Penske and Haas CNC racing both have ideas for doing just that. Which brings us to the next big change: Teams building their own test tracks and wind tunnels.

NASCAR has set dates for testing and use of the wind tunnel. If a team, such as Penske racing, has their own test track they can test whenever they want then NASCAR can't stop them. If they were to rent out that track for other teams to use, NASCAR can't control that either. Which solves two problems, money for the added expense that the COT will bring, and gives other teams the ability to test when they want as long as they rent the track. Now, for Haas CNC racing building a wind tunnel. This will basically be the same as Penske's test track. It can be rented out for other teams to use and increase cash flow for the owners. Any team can rent them out for use when they are available and anyone who has the cash to spare do it. Will these two events have an impact on the Sanctioning body of NASCAR? Will NASCAR be forced to open up more tracks and test dates for teams to use? Only time will tell.

But, once again, we will have to tune in to find out.

Learn more about this author, Chris C.
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