More tests will solve some problems, but cause others

There are a couple of things of about racing that are pure and easy: the passion we all feel for the sport, and the ecstasy of victory.

Everything else is complicated and hard. Especially this year.

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When news broke last week that NASCAR was considering a change in its official testing policy for Nextel Cup teams, my immediate thought was, "That's a no-brainer." Then I thought about it a little more.

This is going to cause a lot of headaches for a lot of people.

Which isn't to say that a change in the way Cup teams have been testing this season isn't needed, because it is. In the worst possible way.

The trouble began in 2006 when NASCAR announced its intentions to campaign the COT on a limited basis during the 2007 season. Sensing opportunity, a few of the well-funded teams began an unofficial, albeit completely legal, testing program outside NASCAR's official testing schedule. These unofficial tests are held at tracks that do not host a Nextel Cup race and the tires they test on are either very old Goodyears or on tires from other manufacturers.

Think about it, if you could invest the manpower, money and resources to give your racing team a genuine advantage in 16 of 36 races, would you do it? I absolutely would. But if my racing team couldn't afford it, or if I hung my hat on the spirit of the law, if not the letter of the law, I'd also be complaining to NASCAR early and often.

The loophole was big enough to drive about seven COTs through. And it's created a series of problems that NASCAR probably should have seen coming. There are teams complaining about too much testing, and teams complaining about not enough opportunities for official testing. By official testing, I mean testing at tracks that host Nextel Cup races and on tires supplied by Goodyear.

And let's not forget about the fans. As historic as the Hendrick juggernaut has been this season in general, and in COT races in particular, many are flat-out fed up with it. Hendrick's success is directly related to its aggressive testing and R&D programs. (Continued)