Drivers discuss upcoming rules changes for 2010 (cont'd)

Another major change expected to be announced Thursday is the possible removal of the yellow-line, out-of-bounds rule on the aprons at the Daytona and Talladega superspeedways. That probable rule change -- supposedly still not "set in stone" by NASCAR officials -- was met with skepticism Wednesday at Hendrick Motorsports, where the four Hendrick drivers debated its merit, or lack thereof.

"We need a yellow line rule, in my opinion," four-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said. "We do not need to be racing below that yellow line and onto the apron down the back straightaway at Daytona or at Talladega. At Talladega you can probably race on the apron through the corners. It might be cool for one race, and [then] we'll have one big pileup and it will be 40 cars in a wad, and a damn boring race after that."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added: "The yellow-line rule is there for a reason. If we took it away, I think we'd definitely be reminded quite quickly why we have that rule, and why it's there in the first place."

Johnson said he likes a suggestion made by Hendrick teammate Mark Martin for an adjustment to the yellow-line rule that has prevented passing below it under all circumstances at superspeedways.

"Mark had an idea I am in favor of," Johnson said. "On the last lap coming off Turn 4 to the start-finish line, anything goes that point. There are just too many other safety issues to consider not having a yellow line rule throughout the course of the race."

Martin admitted he had floated the idea to his Hendrick teammates, but added that even he's not sure about it.

"In a perfect world, no, I wouldn't have that," Martin said. "But if we're really trying to treat the race fans, I'm willing to wreck from Turn 4 to the start-finish line on the last lap -- for The Show. I just don't want to do it the first 10 laps or whenever. I want to get at least that close to the finish before all hell breaks loose."

Other rules changes expected to be announced Thursday include one that would permit bump-drafting again at Daytona and Talladega and one introducing a larger restrictor plate to be used at the Feb. 14 Daytona 500 and, if all goes well there, at subsequent superspeedway races down the line.

Jeff Gordon said he was excited about "the biggest restrictor plate since 1989" because it would give drivers "more power under the hood." Gordon added that teams also have been told by NASCAR that drivers will have a greater opportunity to police themselves in certain situations in 2010 as well -- which he said he welcomes.

"I think sometimes it's appropriate for them to get involved, but usually the drivers are pretty good at policing themselves," Gordon said. "I know [owner] Rick [Hendrick] has been part of some occasions when they had to get involved, but I love the idea of, 'Let's just go race.' That's what this sport was built on, that's what fans love. That's what drives this sport and creates advertising and sponsorship opportunities and puts fans in the seats and glued to their TVs at home.

"So I think we've got some really cool things in store for 2010. ... I think NASCAR is ready to let us put some really great racing out there."