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“The Car of Tomorrow will eventually create the most dynamic change in racing in the long history of Nextel Cup,” he said. “As drivers and crews continue to adapt, the racing will be more competitive and we will see a significant increase in side-by-side racing.”
NASCAR has been pleased with the car through its first five events and cites an average margin of victory of .505 seconds — compared with 1.286 seconds in the same five races last season — as proof the car has improved racing.
It also says there have been six fewer did-not-finish results through the same race sequence, and 13 teams have used the same chassis for three of the five races.
NASCAR recognizes the car is a work in progress. Series officials had hoped teams would want to use the COT full time in 2008 because more use produces more information on how to make improvements.
“We feel like making this decision now gives teams an idea of what is coming and lets them put more resources into the new car,” Pemberton said. “Teams can work on program for next year and everyone will be able to get a better grasp on the entire project.”
The Toyota teams have been the loudest proponents for going strictly to the COT because focusing on one program could alleviate many of the manufacturer’s struggles. Toyota’s teams have struggled to make races this season, the automaker’s first in the Nextel Cup.
“It will help us tremendously because we’re a startup organization and it would help us streamline our efforts,” said Michael Waltrip, who is running a three-car team. “It will save everybody money. It will be more competitive going forward and I look forward to it being all-in right away.”
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