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for the drivers. Fuel cells will hold less gas, so the cars are on pit road more often for tires and to bring back the "team" aspect of racing. All these changes were made with competition and safety in mind.

Many drivers have complained about the new car, but I suspect as they get more time behind the wheel and realize this car is here to stay, they'll do what they have to do to get used to it and make it work. Kurt Busch is not one of those drivers, though, as he turned the fastest time during Preseason Thunder in a COT at Daytona in January. If this car does what its promised to do, it will bring the cars back into real competition and should make the racing more exciting. To be sure, there may be a few surprise winners this year as they phase it in.

Finally, NASCAR is switching to unleaded fuel beginning at California, the week after Daytona. This is a switch that has been anticipated for a few years now. Last year, the switch was made in the Truck and Busch series. The cars showed none of the expected problems, so NASCAR has bumped up the timetable to this year from next year. There will certainly be a few blown motors because of this, but again, its something engine builders will learn to make adjustments for.

Are these changes good for NASCAR? Well, they can't hurt. NASCAR's TV ratings and attendance have stabilized over the last few years. Surely, there are other sports that would like to have these same ratings, but NASCAR expects more. Only time will tell if these changes deliver all the excitement and fun promised.

Learn more about this author, Jim Becker.
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