Are the All-Star Rules a Step in the Right Direction for Short Tracks?

For drivers and fans opposed to the tightened regulations on track limits, they were quick to express their displeasure at the development.

But it soon became clear that introduction of the curbs wasn’t necessarily done to deter drivers from using that section of the track — it was done to protect them from it.

Kyle Larson raced with a mouthguard in last year’s Cup race at Watkins Glen, and the data from that particular turn showed that he was receiving an average of 11.7 g’s every time he ran through the bus stop. On one lap, he received as much as 18.77 g’s.

If those numbers or charts are confusing, just know that 11.7 g’s is well, well beyond the normal amount for a driver to take in a corner.

Given the sharpness of the newly installed curbs, they should likely do their job in keeping drivers inside the racing line and out of harm’s way once the Cup field makes its return to the track in September.

2. What about those new rules for the All-Star Race?

It was announced on Tuesday (April 23) this year’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway will come with a twist: required use of multiple tire compounds.

After the excessive tire wear at Bristol Motor Speedway produced an incredible Cup race by accident, NASCAR and Goodyear have turned to increased tire wear to serve as a fix for the mediocre racing that the Next Gen car has produced at short tracks and flat tracks.

That will be on display at North Wilkesboro on May 19, as teams will have the options of prime tires (tires developed by Goodyear after tests at the track in March), option tires (tires that have more grip on short runs but wear out quickly) and the normal wet-weather tires in the event of rain. The teams will use prime tires in qualifying, option tires at the start of the main event and any tire of choice in practice, heat races and the Open.

First off, I want to say that…