Waltrip, White see bright side of sport's problems

As NASCAR continues to feel its way through a rather unusual offseason, one devoid of "sanctioned" testing during an economic downturn that keeps turning downward, at least two guys think it all could turn out for the better in the Cup Series.

Those two are Lee White, president and general manager of Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A.; and Michael Waltrip, owner of Michael Waltrip Racing and driver of the No. 55 Toyota.

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Talking on a recent teleconference call with reporters from around the nation, they expressed optimism about the general future of racing and even suggested that the current conditions will help make the Cup Series stronger in the long run.

As far as curtailing all offseason testing at tracks where NASCAR events are held (except for the occasional Goodyear tire tests that are considered a necessary evil, sort of like, in some minds, the Goodyear tire itself), White and Waltrip said they are in agreement that it can do no harm to the competitive side when it comes to holding actual races during a season.

"Not going to these NASCAR-sanctioned tracks to tests, I don't want to be naïve, but I really don't see how a negative can come from it," Waltrip said.

"I just know that in desperate times, you have to take desperate measures in order to try to stay afloat. Banning our ability to go to these race tracks to test and limiting the tracks that we can go test on will save the teams money."

White went a step further. He suggested that the limit on testing -- which has continued and will continue at tracks that are not "NASCAR sanctioned" such as Rockingham in North Carolina, New Smyrna in Florida and Texas World Speedway -- will make the actual races at the other tracks better for fans to watch.

"That is part of the mystery of how this whole thing will turn out, and I think that's why it's fascinating to watch," White said. "On the other hand, when we went to Daytona and tested for three weeks, everyone ended up running the same speeds. And that's what everyone hated, because nobody could pass anybody. (Continued)