Analysis: NASCAR should consider relaxing ban on testing

Analysis: NASCAR should consider relaxing ban on testing

 

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

 

(August 6, 2011)

 

LONG POND, Pa.—In the aftermath of Brad Keselowski’s frightening wreck Wednesday during testing at Road Atlanta, NASCAR should consider relaxing its ban on testing at racetracks that host events in NASCAR’s top touring series.

 

The one good thing about the timing of Keselowski’s crash, which fractured the driver’s left ankle, is that it coincides with the time of year when NASCAR typically conducts an evaluation of its testing policy, which has been in effect since the end of the 2008 season.

 

Despite the ban, teams have demonstrated they will continue to test, if not at NASCAR facilities, then at tracks that are not NASCAR-sanctioned and often are without the safety enhancements required at sanctioned tracks.

 

“There’s a reason why there are certain tracks on the schedule that are on the schedule,” Keselowski said Friday at Pocono Raceway. “They’re great facilities. They’re nice facilities to drive on, and when things go wrong, usually people won’t get hurt. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a wreck in (Sprint) Cup where a driver has been seriously hurt—let’s knock on wood.

 

“I was real lucky. That has to do with the facilities you go to. I had a good time testing at Road Atlanta, but at the end of the day, there’s a realization that there’s a reason why it’s not a Cup facility. It’s not up to the requirements that it takes.”

 

Even though the track wasn’t up to NASCAR’s safety standards, the choice is to forgo testing and not being prepared for the Cup race on the road course at Watkins Glen.

 

“Those are the things we have to do if we want to remain competitive, if we want to find the edge, if we want to go to Watkins Glen and unload as a competitive team,” Keselowski said. “You’ve got to take those chances.

 

“This Wednesday, when we took those chances, we paid the price for it—and almost paid a much larger price.”

 

With the ban in place, NASCAR can’t stop teams from testing at outside tracks. Nor can NASCAR provide cover for teams testing at tracks NASCAR doesn’t sanction.

 

What NASCAR can do is allow teams to test on a limited basis at NASCAR tracks. Not only would that be a safer option for the competitors, it also would provide an additional source of income for tracks that already support NASCAR racing.