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Friday, August 24
Martin wants standardized engines
By Chuck Cavalaris
Scripps Howard News Service
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BRISTOL, Tenn. -- In light of increased safety concerns and unprecedented technological advances in the past five years, NASCAR veteran Mark Martin is making a plea on the eve of the annual August night race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Amid the roar of these Winston Cup muscle cars, he hopes it doesn't fall on deaf ears.
"I think we need to go to standardized engines," Martin said Thursday. "It's ridiculous the amount of testing and tinkering that's going on -- in addition to everything else. If you just leave it wide open, people are going to spend all the money in the world and hire all the people in the world because they want a competition edge.
"These cars are up to 800 horsepower and you have to draw the line at some point -- it has to end somewhere."
Martin also spoke out on a unique approach to safety concerns. He believes several of the larger speedways either being built or recently opened -- and at least one in operation (Talladega Superspeedway, supposedly) -- should have the same master plan. He nominated the 2½-mile track at Pocono, Pa., as the perfect blueprint.
Revamp Talladega?
"I will leave it at that," Martin said, grinding his teeth when asked to elaborate. "Pocono is a great race. It is one example."
It also is a far cry from the cozy .533-mile concrete track at BMS with 36-degree banking. A sellout crowd of more than 147,000 is expected to join a national television audience for Saturday night's Sharpie 500.
"This is a fabulous facility and it certainly provides great racing for the fans," Martin said. "But you won't see tracks being built for $100 million like this anymore because it is so space-confined and the infield is too cramped."
Like so many other sports, bigger translates into better and Martin fears the same thing has happened to the engines. He said his race car has gained 100 horsepower in five years and some teams have added 40 horsepower this season.
"And it's not just me," Martin said. "Rusty (Wallace) has added 25 horsepower since February. I have not killed an engine this season, but people seem to be wondering why it's happening more or why belts are breaking more. Just look at what we are doing on the track and everything else that's happening behind the scenes. These engines can
blow up if the car is driven a quarter mile past the distance it was supposed to. The only thing I am saying is that with power comes risks."
Martin, who is still seeking his first victory of the season, sees the situation only getting worse because of increased pressure and demands on drivers. The engines aren't the only thing getting stressed.
"I have forgotten what a day off is like," he said.
NASCAR is about a third of the way through a grueling series of 20 consecutive race weekends to end the season, and 39 in all. Between the racing and qualifying, testing, team meetings, personal appearances, media or business commitments, Martin said it has become a grind.
"I'm not saying what the fix is," he said. "The way we race is fine, but we need more time."
Chuck Cavalaris writes for The Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee.
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