The Bump Drafting Debate

By Mark Young and Keith Ott

 

With the Presidential race heating up and having to deal with all the hype surrounding the debates, Keith and I have put together our own debate regarding NASCAR. This week’s discussion…….Bump Drafting. To some it is a necessary evil while to others it has grown into a two-headed monster. Check out what we have to say and weigh in with your thoughts.

What has NASCAR done regarding bump drafting?

Keith: NASCAR has a big dilemma with the BD because it’s big TV.  No-one confesses to wanting the big one, but it’s good TV.

Mark: NASCAR has a dilemma with BD because they have designed a car that invites drivers to do it. The big one is a result of restrictor plates, not the bumpers. Those guys would find other ways to have a big one.

Bump drafting has been used for a while? Why is it so bad now?

Keith:  There has always been the bump, but BD evolved because of the last decade’s car’s aero.  It couldn’t pass, or passing was made easier with the bump. It became accepted.

Mark: Bump drafting has been around as long as the restrictor plate. Like Keith said the aero packages NASCAR has mandated. The BD used to be an art used at the right time at the right place. It has become necessary in order to pass.

Why is bump drafting so much different now than in the past?

      Keith: BD, accepted or not, had consequences with the old car.  There was a known penalty to pay because the bumpers didn’t align back to front…caution was needed.

Mark: Like Keith mentioned, with the old-style cars the bumpers didn’t line up. Hit the guy in front too hard and you would be replacing a radiator or blow up. But NASCAR allowed teams to reinforce the bumper regions of the chassis and bump drafting became slam drafting.

Keith: The CON has no such limitation.  It still can’t pass, but, it’s a perfect bumping machine.  Everything lines up and if the car can’t race to the front…Let’s bump it up there.

Mark: I have to disagree here Keith, the CON can pass. Did you see Almirola and Earnhardt hook up and look like a missile through 3 and 4 on the high side? They bump draft because the plate levels the field engine-wise.

Keith: Just where did Amirola and Jr. finish? The draft is viable, the bump is viable, but 43 cars pretending they belong at Busch Gardens isn’t racing. Ask Carl.

But doesn’t bump drafting make for better racing?

Mark: It doesn’t create better racing. The problem is with the plate. Give these guys a little more power and then the slingshot pass will be back. Give them more power and they will spread out thus creating room to pass and, in situations where handling is an issue, will require the use of lifting the gas and using the brakes.

Keith: It’s not racing if it’s the only venue for passing.  I mean guys with all that talent, driving that closely, have to push or be pushed to the front. That’s not racing.

If you could change something at the restrictor plate tracks what would it be?

Mark: Like I mentioned in the last question, I would open the holes in the restrictor plate and let these guys really race. The pack would thin out and drafting would mean something. We would still see the bump but it would be used differently.

      Keith: I’d want softer noses, or rear panels. Something to put more thought and consequence back into the bump. 

 

Keith: What Presidential race? Tell me they are not going to make that old guy try to run! What if he goes below the yellow line?