Do the numbers support today's Golden Age label?

The sanctioning body recently issued a statistical analysis in an attempt to prove that "racing since 1970 has become more competitive and more unpredictable than ever."

Certainly from a standpoint of cars on the lead lap and average leaders per race, there's no comparison. Twenty cars finished on the lead lap at Michigan. In 1974, only 12 drivers finished on the lead lap at any point in the season.

Golden Age?

A NASCAR statistical analysis attempts to prove that "racing since 1970 has become more competitive and more unpredictable than ever." Read NASCAR's contention, then Mark Aumann's opinion in Head2Head -- and weigh in with your take.

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• 'Golden' open to interpretation
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So what are the factors that play into why present-day racing appears to be more competitive?

Increased cashflow

In 1974, the season when only five drivers won races, champion Richard Petty's total winnings came to $432,019 -- and that was with 10 victories. By comparison, Elliott Sadler made $407,153 for finishing sixth in the 2007 Daytona 500.

Even when factoring in inflation, Petty's income in 2006 dollars comes out to $1,893,756, a paltry sum when compared to Jimmie Johnson's $15,875,125 payday for winning the 2006 Nextel Cup championship.

A rising tide floats all boats, and that's never been more true than in the amount of working capital available to NASCAR's top teams in today's environment.

Increased manufacturer involvement

In 1974, Petty, Cale Yarborough and David Pearson combined for 27 of the 30 wins.

Petty drove for Petty Enterprises, the factory Dodge team. Yarborough drove for Junior Johnson, with assistance from Chevrolet. And Pearson's Wood Brothers organization was under the Mercury banner. The overwhelming majority of the rest of the field in 1974 was made up of independent teams, running without assistance. (Continued)