NASCAR CEO on encumbered wins, penalties and possible use of automated yellow flags
“But do I dislike, two things,” Brian France states on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
“One is having to deal with penalties or infractions. Even though, we have to. We have to keep the playing field even. We have to do what we have to do.”
“The second part is, I would prefer to not talk about the business side of NASCAR. That’s important too.”
“All of it takes away from what happened on Sunday or Saturday or Friday night with any of our National Series.”
I know the teams are pushing right to that last inch.
-Brian France
“I look at it this way… I never get worked up over anything. I know the teams are pushing right to that last inch. Every once in awhile, they flop over the line. It’s very rarely that it’s somebody trying to egregiously get an advantage.”
Related: NASCAR CEO is happy with stage racing & playoff format
We have to have restrictions.
-Brian France
“But, it’s true that we have to have restrictions. Obviously, tight rules and so on. The teams are so close to that line that they’re going to create a P1 or P2, whatever it’s going to be.”
“I don’t get worked up for that. That’s auto racing. If we weren’t having some of that, then they’re not competing hard. They’re noting trying to out-think or out engineer other teams.”
We issue the penalty and not make it a big deal.
-Brian France
“I’d rather just do what we do. We issue the penalty and not make it a big deal. But, I realize it’s easy to get caught up in it.”
Technology
Next year, camera’s will be teching racecars. No, templates. 5 stations, cut into 3. 6 minute inspections, cut into just 90 seconds.
Related: NASCAR has a new inspection process
At the same time, NASCAR still has a human error in the display of the yellow flag. Pre-mature cautions were a big talking point following Richmond Raceway.
In the future: Will camera’s determine throwing the caution?
“Perhaps,” Brian France tells Trading Paint.
“I’m a big believer that technology and innovation solves, almost, all problems. Not every one, but almost all, over time.”
“So, we’re committed to that. It’s consistent with the OEM’s. There so much involved with automated cars and you know, the technology. It’s very consistent with where we’re going.”
“It solves so many problems. It makes things more efficient. We’ll have to see exactly how it plays out. But yeah, we’re committed to technology and innovation.”
