BROOKLYN, Mich. — NASCAR president Mike Helton agrees with Dale Earnhardt Jr. that the sport should always be looking for ways to improve. Where he differs is over Earnhardt’s suggestion that NASCAR’s redesigned race car needs wholesale changes.
Speaking at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday morning, Helton said officials are looking at potential improvements to the new car, which was referred to as the Car of Tomorrow, or CoT, in the run-up to its 2007 introduction.
But Helton said officials aren’t considering major or hasty changes — something Earnhardt deemed necessary in an interview Friday.
“I think where we are right now, the consensus in the garage area — which leads us to our consensus — is that there’s not going to be a major change to this car,” Helton said.
On Friday, Earnhardt said that NASCAR’s brand of on-track action has fallen flat and needs an injection of excitement. He pointed to the new car as one area in need of an overhaul, although he did not suggest specific changes.
“We’re not really where we want to be, I don’t think, as a sport,” Earnhardt said. “We need to do things to excite corporate America, excite the fans. And we need to be proactive immediately, because we haven’t.”
But Helton doesn’t think springing major technical changes on cash-strapped racing teams is a good idea. And he doesn’t see anything wrong with NASCAR’s on-track product.
“Urgency could create more havoc or more expense that we don’t need,” Helton said. “And oh, by the way, I’d make the argument that the racing we’ve got on the racetrack is as good as I’ve seen it in a long time. So a reaction from us could interrupt that.”
The CoT made its debut in a handful of races in 2007 and was used full-time in 2008. It was designed to save teams money and improve safety, and is generally considered a success on those fronts. But there have been complaints from drivers that the new car just doesn’t put on as good a show.
Keselowski wins Nationwide race.
Brad Keselowski swooped past Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch to take the lead in the final turn, then held on to win the Nationwide series race at Michigan International.
Keselowski took two tires on his final pit stop, then took advantage of a furious battle for the lead between Vickers and Busch on the last lap. Vickers finished second and Busch third, and they exchanged some heated words on pit road afterward.
“Brian was doing what he needed to do to win the race, and just kind of got snookered by us in the end,” Keselowski said.
It was a rough afternoon for Carl Edwards, whose hopes of a championship in NASCAR’s second-tier series took a hit when he crashed early.
Lucas leads in top fuel
BRAINERD, Minn. — Morgan Lucas raced to his second No. 1 qualifying position of the season in a rain-shortened session at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.
Lucas powered his top fuel dragster to a 3.868-second run at 307.16 mph to earn his fourth career No. 1 effort. Larry Dixon was second with a 3.886 at 304.60.
Mike Neff (funny car), Mike Edwards (pro stock) and Hector Arana (pro stock motorcycle) lead their respective divisions.
The Associated Press
Today’s races
NASCAR SPRINT CUP Carfax 400
Site: Brooklyn, Mich.
TV: ESPN, 11 a.m.
Track: Michigan International Speedway (oval, 2 miles)
Race distance: 400 miles, 200 laps
Next race: Sharpie 500 on Aug. 22, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.
On the Net: www.nascar.com
NHRA
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Site: Brainerd, Minn.
TV: ESPN2, 8 p.m. (tape)
Track: Brainerd International Raceway
Next race: Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals on Aug. 21-23, Maple Grove Raceway, Mohnton, Pa.
On the Net: www.nhra.com
