Johnson poised to take his seat in racing history (cont'd)

3. By all accounts, the new generation Nationwide car is earning rave reviews for both its appearance and performance. So why didn't the Sprint Cup version come out quite as well?

Duane Cross: Because NASCAR learned from its mistake. Period. Or maybe it's the whole "return to roots" initiative and someone noticed the words "Stock Car" in the "National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing".

The new look

New cars are getting rave reviews for both appearance and performance.

• Gallery: new cars
• Favorable marks at testing

Dave Rodman: Good call, Duane. And of course, we all heard that since the competitors were more involved in the design and development of the Nationwide car, that it might become the Cup version, and the current Cup car would migrate over to the Nationwide Series. Now, that might be a break for all those beleaguered Nationwide owners.

David Caraviello: Mistake? Well, maybe I'm in the minority, but I think this new car has turned out just fine, thanks. Yes, it's not exactly pretty to look at, and we hear it's a bear to drive, but Ryan Newman's crash offers another example of why this is the finest vehicle in NASCAR history. NASCAR has always told us that safety is their No. 1 priority ... with the current Sprint Cup car, they're living up to it.

Dave Rodman: No one questions its performance, both in driving difficulty and safety. But aesthetically, it's something else again. And even though the paint scheme on Roush Fenway's car for Colin Braun did the slickness of the Mustang design no justice, that Challenger is stock-looking and attractive.

David Caraviello: Sure, the new Nationwide car may be more fun to look at, and drivers say it's a dream to drive, but ultimately will it keep them safe? Will accidents like Newman's on Sunday, and Carl Edwards' this spring at Talladega, and Michael McDowell's a few years ago at Texas all have the same thankful result? That will be the true test of this vehicle.

Duane Cross: The new Nationwide car will be equally as safe -- and actually looks like a stock car (or does more so than the COT). C'mon, David -- you can build safety into anything; it doesn't have to be a brick. And for the record, Newman's wreck wasn't any more spectacular than Rusty Wallace's -- at the same track -- in 1993. And Wallace walked away, too.

David Caraviello: They sure as heck didn't build safety into the previous model Sprint Cup car. I think that's easier said than done. You have to compromise a few things to make cars as safe as the one used today in Sprint Cup. And I believe Wallace was transported via helicopter to a Birmingham hospital with a concussion after that crash, if memory serves me correct. And was that before or after the accident where Bill Elliott broke his leg? Hmmm, I forget.

Duane Cross: Here's another glass of Kool-Aid, David. Yes, the cars are safer ... but it's not like the previous model was a rolling casket! You can break your leg in a Volvo at 55 mph, dude. Safety is the most over-used catch word in this sport when it comes to justifying a position. I'm not against the safety initiative, I just believe that it was a crutch used to quantify why the COT wasn't built as a stock car.

David Caraviello: I am dumbfounded. After what this sport went through in the earlier part of this decade, safety should have damn well been the No. 1 priority in this car, and thank goodness it was. Hey, who knows, the Nationwide model may be just as safe. Goodness knows it has to be better than the current Nationwide model, which is tough to get out of when the thing is on fire. But if you have to compromise looks and performance so drivers can walk away from accidents ... do it every time. Every time. If fans have a problem with that, they need their heads examined.

Dave Rodman: I'm not saying Newman's wreck didn't get your attention, but spectacular? No. He actually only turned over twice, tops, I bet -- though that last dynamic was extreme -- capital E on that. But anyway, it'll be interesting to see how this new Nationwide car takes off.

David Caraviello: Yes, too bad Ryan didn't finish it off with a double axel and then stick the landing. Sheesh.

Duane Cross: "Takes off" -- nice, considering the lift off that that wonderful wing on the new Sprint Cup car initiated. Thankfully, the Nationwide car has a spoiler.

Dave Rodman: Yep, and I bet that'll mean the roof flaps work a lot closer to the way that they were designed. And speaking of design, I think this Nationwide car might speak more to the fact that the manufacturers were more involved in it, rather than NASCAR doing more of a job of dictating what the COT would be. At least, I think that's close to the truth.

Duane Cross: OK, let's just agree that it seems as if there needs to be a bit more tweaking on this end-all, be-all COT. Again, the cars are "safer," we agree on that. I also contend the Nationwide cars will fit that bill and yet still look more in line with a stock car.

Dave Rodman: The Nationwide car sits on the same chassis, and they look attractive, which proves it could be done. That's progress, boys.

David Caraviello: What's progress to me, Dave, is Ryan Newman crawling out of that wreckage on Sunday. Of course, hell, I'd send them all out there in Sherman tanks, which I hear can produce quite the draft at top speed of 24 mph!

Dave Rodman: And their bumpers match up great, too.