"Some guys need to learn how to bump"

Dale Earnhardt Jr. summed it up the best, "Some guys need to learn how to bump, a couple of them, they hit too hard, and it doesn't accomplish anything." When we as fans begin to think about these words, it's not hard to look back at the many instances where this type of racing has come under a lot of criticism. This after all is one of the drivers biggest fear when coming to Talladega, or Daytona that are known for its close side by side racing at speeds in excess of 185 M.P.H.

Ever since the introduction of the restrictor plates to slow down the cars because of the high speeds they were attaining, modern technology was to blame for the cars being able to go faster year after year. Then you add the high banking along with the length of the track, NASCAR felt that the speeds they were traveling at was making it more and more dangerous not only for the drivers, but the fans as well. All the plates did was tighten up the racing, and bring the cars closer together, which in turn made the draft the only effective way to pass at these high banked superspeedways.

Basically the draft is the low-pressure wake behind a group's leading car, which reduces the aerodynamic resistance on the front of the trailing car, allowing the second car to pull closer. As the second car nears the first, it pushes high-pressure air forward so less fast-moving air hits the lead car's spoiler. The result is less drag for both cars, allowing faster speeds. The only way to maintain sufficient horsepower and to be able to pass is to have a "drafting partner," or another driver that you feel comfortable with that can execute the draft the proper way, without getting the both of you in a wreck. Bump drafting is another technique that is used more and more on tracks such as Daytona and Talladega. Bump drafting starts out while 2 drivers are already in the draft. The driver in the rear will bump the car in front of him with just the right amount of pressure or "bump," to push the driver a little faster so that he can maintain his momentum.

If done properly, it is a very effective way to push another driver out to the front of the pack. But if it is executed too aggressively, or while entering a turn, the results can easily alter the handling of the car in front, which in turn will cause it to lose control and wreck as we have seen many, many times. Dale Earnhardt Sr was a master of both the draft, and of bump drafting. The drivers who raced against him knew that he had it mastered, and were always looking for him towards the end of the race. But time after time, it was Earnhardt who would use the draft to his own advantage, and he usually came out on top. Earnhardt was able to grab 35 total race wins at Daytona using the draft, while only winning 1 Daytona 500 back in 1998. How ironic it is that the same track where he had most of his race wins is also the same track that took his life back in 2001?

Year after year, the drivers as well as the fans look forward to the excitement that these 2 superspeedways bring us, but not without the controversy of the dangers of plate racing. How else can NASCAR keep the drivers and fans safe, without slowing the cars down and still have some sort of excitement? The risk factor jumps up tremendously by letting these cars race around at speeds in excess of 220 M.P.H. Rusty Wallace tested a car some years back at these speeds and his first reaction was, "someone is going to get seriously hurt if and when they wreck." Not only that, but he was also talking about parts flying off during a wreck, and going into the stands. NASCAR is doing all it can to keep the drivers and fans as safe as possible. All we can do is continue to support them, whether they are right or wrong. Because the bottom line is, do they even listen to us? I'm Out