NASCAR plans to crack down on aggressive driving and bump drafting beginning with Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway, particularly regarding two-car breakaways that have become commonplace with the new car. Track officials hope they got the attention of drivers when they parked #55-Michael Waltrip for pushing #48-Jimmie Johnson’s car through the corners during Friday’s second practice. “It at least sent a good point of conversation out there in the Motorhome 500 lot,” series director John Darby said after Saturday’s qualifying was rained out. The new car has presented a problem because two cars that match up well are able to pull away from the pack.(ESPN.com)(11-1-2009)
UPDATE: At the drivers meeting Sunday morning in Talladega, NASCAR President Mike Helton warned drivers that there would be no pushing or bump drafting allowed in the turns through the entire race, including the last lap. The penalty for a first offense will be a drive through; on the last lap it will be a time or position penalty. Any offenses beyond the first will be NASCAR’s discretion. See Helton’s quotes at Hampton Roads.(11-1-2009)
