What’s New in 2010? Bump-Drafting

There were several major announcements made Thursday afternoon during the Sprint Cup Series Media Tour at NASCAR’s Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina. One of which is sure to delight long-time, old school race fans. The bump-drafting ban has been lifted!

Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

“As it relates to the Spring Cup Series,” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said. “The bump drafting (policy) as we know it at Daytona and Talladega over the past few years will be totally eliminated. We will put it back in the hands of the hands of the drivers and we will say ‘boys, have at it and have a good time’. That’s all I can say.”

Bump-Drafting:

(Nationwide Series -- Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009)

NASCAR started to police bump-drafting over the past couple of years due to safety concerns. If done incorrectly, too aggressively or in the turns, bump-drafting can be the cause of very bad wrecks.

“Over the past 10 years we’ve dramatically increased safety and that mission continues,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said. “However, it’s time for us to allow the drivers to drive. We don’t want the rules and regulations to get in the way of great racing and fantastic finishes.”

(Sprint Cup Series -- Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2009)

“NASCAR is a contact sport. Our history is based on banging fenders,” said France.

If we remember the fall Sprint Cup race at Talladega, drivers ran around the track single file for well over half the race which prompted even the announcers to question the bump-drafting ban -- calling racing at Talladega boring.  For the AMP Energy 500 race report, click here.

Even though NASCAR has relaxed the bump-drafting policy, drivers who are too aggressive on the superspeedways could still face stiff penalties and fines for their on-track actions.

Is lifting the bump drafting ban the right move for NASCAR to make?