Smack: The crystal ball is blurry regarding Newman (cont'd)

3. NASCAR has taken 10 Nationwide Series engines to its research and development facility for examination. Does that circuit need rule changes to level the playing field?

David Caraviello: You know, NASCAR used to make a habit of changing rules in mid-season, and to their credit, they've gotten away from that. There's no reason to start doing it again now.

Joe Menzer: Well, first of all, I applaud them for taking the engines to the R&D center for a closer look. As long as they share what they find with the media, and therefore the fans, as well as the teams themselves, it should put to rest many questions.

David Caraviello: But Joe, are these engines failing inspection? I mean, what's their reasoning? If they're legal, and they're passing inspection every week, then what's the problem?

Raygan Swan: I would agree that mid-season rule changes are not good. I don't mind rules, but next season would be the better time.

Possible changes

Following the Nationwide race in Chicago, NASCAR took 10 Nationwide Series engines to its research and development center for evaluation.

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Joe Menzer: Then test 'em and tell the world they're legal, and also tell everyone once and for all that there is no major difference in horsepower between the different manufacturers' engines. Backing up, J.D. Gibbs addressed this at Chicagoland -- pointing out that his guys have worked very hard, changed the way they approach the whole Nationwide deal, and then they have success and everyone wants to say, well, it's because the Toyota engines they're using are more powerful.

David Caraviello: Well, here's the thing: there can be a difference in horsepower, even if they're all legal. Everybody assumes that if somebody does a better job of building something, then they're cheating.

Joe Menzer: If they're more powerful because these guys are working harder within the box NASCAR has put them in, then, hey, more power to 'em! Nothing wrong with that.

Raygan Swan: Certainly NASCAR will get a smaller box then, like the Sprint Cup Series.

David Caraviello: Agreed, Joe. If those engines are better, and they're building them within the same constraints as everyone else, and they're passing inspection every week -- then everybody else just needs to get better.

Joe Menzer: It's funny, too, that last year Childress enjoyed very similar success in the Nationwide Series -- winning, what, 13 races? I don't recall an uproar then calling for an investigation into their GM engines.

David Caraviello: I mean, this is like saying Carlos Zambrano must be doing something illegal because he's a better pitcher than most others. Some people do a better job of building cars. Some people do a better job of driving cars. And some people do a better job of building engines.

Joe Menzer: At the same time, all I'm saying when I say I applaud them for taking the engines in for a closer look is that now they can look at them and then come out and say, OK, this is the deal. Or if something illegal is being done, then pounce on that, too.

Raygan Swan: I can see how rules can hamper innovation and competitive edge, sort of like some complain about in the Cup Series.

David Caraviello: And correct me if I'm wrong, but NASCAR hasn't said they're considering rules changes. That's being inferred because of NASCAR's actions.

Joe Menzer: As far as actual rule changes, I think we're all agreed that they shouldn't change anything in the middle of a season. That's ridiculous and NASCAR has been ridiculed for doing that in the past. That would be like us saying Bill Kimm is allowed back to do Track Smack in the middle of a season, when we all know that is not going to be the case. Unless we're desperate and five or six people go on vacation again.

David Caraviello: Or if Joe's laptop crashes for the second time today. I remember back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, NASCAR tinkered with rules almost on a weekly basis to try and keep all the manufacturers happy. They got hammered in the national media for it. Nobody wants to go back to those days.

Raygan Swan: I wish my computer would crash right now, because I have no opinion on this topic of rules! I think we already have too many.

David Caraviello: Sounds like it's about time to wrap this up. Maybe it's time to take Joe's crashing laptop to the research and development center for examination.

Joe Menzer: Amen, brother. Are you guys using Toyota computers? They seem to have more power than mine!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers