Smack: In these economic times, best to stay or go? (cont'd)

2. NASCAR made a rule change saying that lead-lap cars will start up front in double-file restarts, with lapped cars in the rear. How big a difference will this make?

Joe Menzer: Well, if Lennie is right and they're all in horse buggies by the end of the year, it means it's about to get real interesting ...

David Caraviello: I would think restarts would be a little less hazardous, because you won't have all those lapped-down guys to the inside fighting the leader to get their lap back and causing havoc. But man, it sounds like it's going to be really tough to get a lap back now.

Dave Rodman: I think there's no question it will make for better racing, because -- not to minimize guys racing to get laps back, but they're laps down for a reason -- the cars racing with the most on the line, you'd like to hope, will race the most vigorously if they can get to the people they're battling with.

Doubled up

NASCAR announced a change to its race format with the addition of double-file restarts throughout each race, and many welcome it.

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David Caraviello: And Dave, I would think that with leaders on the outside and inside, guys will have a little more respect for one another on restarts -- at least until the final 20 laps or so, when it will surely be just as crazy as it's always been.

Joe Menzer: In all seriousness, and I know many drivers have already said this, but people pay to see guys race for the lead -- not to get their lap or laps back. Sorry for the guys who run in the back all the time, but that's just the cold, hard reality.

Dave Rodman: The lappers won't race any harder, but there'll be more of them potentially in position to get laps back if they don't pit. And if more mayhem results and there are more "instant cautions," then in effect, they'll get laps back and then be able to pit on the "second" cautions. I hope that's all it ends up being.

Joe Menzer: Bottom line here is that this is something different. They've done it in the All-Star Race and it's helped produce some really exciting racing. With attendance down and TV ratings down, shake it up a little and see if you can bring more excitement back.

David Caraviello: That's true, Joe, until Jeff Gordon or Dale Jr. falls a lap down. That was the whole purpose of the free pass, to allow drivers fans want to see race get back up front. But hopefully this will cut down on the "cautions breed cautions" syndrome we've all become too familiar with.

Joe Menzer: But the free pass will still be in effect. So guys can continue to race hard for that as well. They just won't be in the way of the guys already on the lead lap on the restarts.

Dave Rodman: God bless Kyle Busch -- there may not be as many "going through the middle of the two leaders, three-wide" moves, but I think the opportunity to pass the leader early in a restart, to get laps-led bonus points and take advantage of clean air is going to create more opportunities for racing.

David Caraviello: I mean, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that cautions are up. But is that really because of the restart format? Or is because you have a lot of guys racing in the premier series who wouldn't have sniffed it 10 or 20 years ago? I will say it seems the spectrum of ability in the Cup Series seems as wide now as it's ever been.

Joe Menzer: Well, let's see. Ten years ago, Joey Logano would have been about 8. So I guess you're right about that. But speaking as his fantasy owner, he's getting better every stinkin' week! And older, too.

David Caraviello: I'm not talking about Joey -- who's holding his own, even though 20 years ago he'd still be racing late models somewhere. But you have to admit, driver development has fallen off so much, and team owners are sometimes so desperate to find somebody, that maybe you have some guys who should be in Nationwide mixing it up with the big boys every weekend.

Dave Rodman: At Dover, Jeff Gordon never came close to getting anything back -- but this new format might have helped him. Let's give it a shot. I think it's going to help the leaders race, and everyone else is gonna be racing as hard as they ever have.

Joe Menzer: As for Kyle Busch, that dude could drive one of Lennie's horse buggies to the front.

Dave Rodman: If they were in buggies, does that mean they'll be trading whip-slaps instead of paint?

David Caraviello: I will say it does seem strange that you have this big "town hall" meeting, you have this huge come-to-grips moment about competition, and the answer to it all seems to be ... tweaking the restart format. But hey, it's a start, and it shows NASCAR is listening to its competitors, which is a positive thing. But I really wonder how much tangible difference this is going to make.

Dave Rodman: I think this was a case of listening to the fans -- and that's always a start of something positive.

Joe Menzer: I guess we will soon find out. Next thing you know, the fans will start betting on who's going to win, place and show.

Dave Rodman: Don't they already do that is some places? (Continued)