Budweiser Shootout Raises Concerns About Pack Drafting

by MattWeaver on Feb 19, 2012 2:33 AM EST

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. - The Budweiser Shootout could be viewed as an extended test session for next week's season-opening Daytona 500. After watching this year's race, the stars of the Sprint Cup Series have some work to do.

The Sanctioning Body made a lot of changes in advance of Speedweeks and it appeared to have overwhelmed the top-25 drivers from 2011. The drivers, mostly accustomed to the two-car tandem from previous seasons, were often aggressive and downright out of control at several points during the 80-lap exhibition.

The first multi-car accident occurred on lap 10 when David Ragan turned Paul Menard sideways, collecting Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Michael Waltrip. A second accident occurred with 20 to go when Marcos Ambrose turned Joey Logano and collected Martin Truex Jr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kenseth for a second-straight time.

The third accident was more of the same, as Jeff Gordon turned Kyle Busch and collected Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray. What was the common denominator in all three accidents?

One driver pushing another's left side and turning him into the field.

The drivers have to take responsibility. They practiced in race trim and knew these conditions would be prevalent. The drivers have to exercise better caution and patience. Much like in previous seasons, these guys can't bump draft in the corners - especially on the left-rear quarter-panel. These cars are just too sensitive in the draft and at 200 mph.

The drivers aren't completely at fault.

NASCAR essentially blinded their drivers when they took away the ability for teams to cross-communicate during a race. With the near-elimination of the two-car draft, outlawing the cross-communication of teams was a pointless endeavor. The drivers need to communicate with their peers just to let them know how what they're planning.

There's more than enough surprises at 200 mph - let's not add another to the long list of shocks.

A lot of these problems will be alleviated through trial and error. This was the Budweiser Shootout - an exhibition race. The non-points format created a 'win or crash trying' atmosphere and that's exactly what happened.

A combined 23 of 25 starters received damage at some point. Phoenix Racing owner James Finch even told driver Kurt Busch to "bring the checkered flag or bring the steering wheel."

Finch barely received his steering wheel.

Ultimately, the Shootout was an excellent start to Speedweeks. Drop a little race rust and get some help from the sanctioning body and 2012 may present the most exciting races in NASCAR history.

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Two articles and not one mention of Kyle Busch winning the race?

What he did last night was nothing short of amazing, and it is high time he is shown a little more respect.

That was one of the greatest displays of driving prowess I’ve ever witnessed. His two saves were outstanding, and his coming around the outside to beat the Champ (in an untouched car) with his banged up jalopy was…. oh wow. I woke up thinking about it.

Follow @RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Feb 19, 2012 8:12 AM EST reply actions

I'm a one man rock band, Mr. Bailey.

I only have so many posts in me a day, especially when track internet starts to crash.

I know we’ve been anti-Busch over the years but I promise this isn’t a case of bias. Go back through the race thread and my Twitter timeline and you’ll see tons of praise for the younger Busch.

I’m know you’re likely busy, but if there’s a certain aspect of Busch’s talent you’d like to have brought up — post in in the fan post section and I’ll promote it. I’ll repeat what I said last night:

Kyle Busch is the most-talented wheelman in the history of motorsports. It gives me goosebumps when I think of what he accomplished last night. What a fantastic drive for Mr. Busch!

Follow me on Twitter @MattWeaverSBN

Senior Writer and Editor for SBNation's NASCAR Ranting and Raving

Correspondent for SBNation's IndyCar Pop Off Valve Blog (http://www.popoffvalve.com/)

by MattWeaver on Feb 19, 2012 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

Those wrecks certainly raised my concern

At the same time, those wrecks continue to show how safe these cars have become. With that said, it makes me question more and more if it would be any less safer if they just ended the restrictor plate era and let the cars run at higher speeds. I am not a mechanic or engineer, but aren’t there other ways to increase the drag and therefore reduce the speed? The lack of a restrictor plate has appeared to work for the Truck Series the last 10+ years, and I know they have used other methods to put restrictions on the trucks.

Although that was a nice maneuver for the win yesterday in both races, it doesn’t always have to occur after the last turn of the last lap to make me happy. During the off season, I watched some Daytona and Talladega races from the 1980s on YouTube. There were still some wonderfully executed slingshot passes during the closing laps and it appeared it was more in the driver’s hands. The leader wasn’t as much of a sitting duck like what happens so often these days.

by ajcrdstr24 on Feb 19, 2012 11:07 AM EST reply actions