Cross' Words: Martinsville

Is there a happy median for the Car of Tomorrow? NASCAR continues to put on the corporate happy face, but drivers have openly chided the IROC-esque model of today. The answer to the question is yes, there will be a point where NASCAR and the drivers settle -- for better or worse -- on the COT. Maybe the question should be: Which side will give the most?

NASCAR wants a safer, more cost-effective model. For the most part, drivers want anything but the current COT. After two short-track races it's clear that both sides have their work cut out for them. As Jeff Gordon said, "We're wasting our time trying to even comment on the Car of Tomorrow at Martinsville and Bristol."

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He has a point; the true judge of the COT will be at intermediate tracks and superspeedways, where high-speed pack racing and drafting are keys to success.

In the wake of Martinsville's 500-lap test drive, NASCAR has a couple of issues -- braking and safety foam, to name only two -- which it has to address. Add 'em to the list; the COT is nothing more than a working prototype. The rub with fans is NASCAR's perceived nonchalant attitude toward addressing the drivers' concerns. If the drivers are complaining, why isn't NASCAR doing X, Y and Z to rectify the problems?

NASCAR is not going to throw out the baby with the bath water -- and the COT is in its infancy. The drivers have raced 1,000 laps on short tracks and many miles remain before the 16-race test is complete.

Nextel Cup director John Darby addressed the safety foam issue: "We had three last week, and one obviously this week. If it's as big of a problem as I think it is, we've got to find out why and stop it, obviously. But there were a whole lot more cars that didn't [have it] than did, and that's a good thing."

On the other hand, Robbie Reiser was the voice of experience: "NASCAR said we didn't have one," he said when asked if the damage to Harvick's car on Sunday was similar to what Kenseth's car suffered at Bristol. "We put it in wrong. I'm not getting involved. I'll end up paying the price for it."

Read between the lines and you have the answer to the questions. (Continued)