Is it just me, or was the race at Bristol rather unremarkable?  It seemed a little mild for my taste.  Bristol has always been my favorite race, but not Sunday.  I was disappointed.  It wasn’t exactly boring, but it wasn’t exciting either. Everyone seemed to be driving around in circles, trying to stay out of trouble. Well, maybe not everyone, there was a little racing going on.  I like the bumping and banging at Bristol. I like white-knuckle, sitting on the edge of your seat racing.  I love the bump-and-run.  I’m sure it’s tough on the drivers, but I bet the real racers don’t mind.  They probably enjoy the thrill as much as I do.

I’m a fan of old school NASCAR.  I’m a fan of real stock car racing; not COT, aerodynamics or restrictor plate racing.  I liked it when the cars came right from the showroom floor and were tweaked a little and then raced.  I could go to my local dealership and buy the same car that they were racing in on the track. That’s why I prefer NASCAR to open wheel or Indy. Those were the days when racing was about more than just going fast, it was also about a driver’s skill. It took skill and knowing how to handle the car to get in the corners and to get around other cars. It took control to hold on and not hit the wall when somebody got you loose or outright hit your car. Part of the fascination with NASCAR is that I could be driving the same car they were driving.  And I was known to race a little when I was younger (although I never did the bump and run on anybody). It was exciting and exhilarating back in the day!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, NASCAR today is not stock car racing. It hasn’t been for some time now.  In recent years all the cars have been made with a template mandated by NASCAR.  The cars aren’t the same Monte Carlos or Impalas we are buying.  The Taurus, Fusion and Charger are different cars on the track than at the dealership.  They are no longer stock.  And now we have the COT.  They're all just alike and it isn't something you or I would go out and buy to drive. 

How do Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge and even Toyota feel about the COT?  Do they feel comfortable putting their name on a car that is not truly one of theirs? Do they have any input in the making of the COT, or is it strictly a NASCAR deal?  I can’t help but wonder how the manufacturer’s points are going to go this year if everyone is driving the same car. 

I know the COT is supposed to be safer for the drivers and I do want the drivers to be safe.  And I know they say the COT is going to be better on the smaller teams as far as cost goes, but if the cars weren’t made to be lightweight and aerodynamic, they would be safer.  They could still add safety features without actually changing the car. And if they were all right off the showroom floor, then how much money the team had wouldn’t be such a big issue anyway.

Maybe the racing will get better with time.  I know it hasn’t gotten better in the last several years and it seems less likely to improve now. But, so far, there’s only been one race with the COT.  I guess I need to give it more time.  Maybe Martinsville will prove to be a better race. Or, maybe it will take a little longer.  Only time will tell!

All I know is that I sure miss the good old days!