Why is NASCAR trying to improve the racing with the Gen 6 car?

three things...

1.) NASCAR thinks that maybe having a car that looks like their street counterparts so fans can actually tell the models apart...might help the sagging ratings and the empty stands at some tracks.

2.) its an attempt to improve racing on the 1.5 cookie cutter tracks, and to eliminate tandem drafting at daytona and talladega, and bring back the pack racing that most fans want to see.

3.) bottom line, the dreaded COT in the words of Tony Stewart, was indeed a "flying brick." while it was by far the safest car NASCAR has had up to this point, it never caught on to the fans. if i remember correctly, i believed the vast majority hated it cuz it was a generic box. it also made racing at some speedway tracks unexciting with the increased downforce that came from the bigger sized cars. It DID make superspeedway racing exciting by increasing passing, and enabled drivers to beat and bang more on short tracks and road courses without wrecking the other guy's car or wrecking your own car.

The last few years NASCAR has listened to the fans more, and a lot of people have griped for a while now about how all the cars look the same and there are minimal, if any, real differences between them. So NASCAR has made the new car to appease those fans. Hopefully this doesn't lead to the same problems NASCAR had in the 90s where one or more makes essentially had a huge advantage from the start of a race due simply to aerodynamic differences and NASCAR was making rules changes all the time to help or restrict the manufacturers. Be careful what you wish for...

I do hope people are right and this improves racing. But I also remember what it was like in the final days of cars being different. I can't imagine what it was like 40 years ago when they were REALLY different. I figure NASCAR is taking steps to avoid this, but I don't think you can completely eliminate it if cars are even cosmetically different.

But NASCAR does have a vested interest in making racing more exciting. While competition is as great as it's ever been, races last year were a mixed bag. Boring races are unavoidable and will occur from time to time, but there were several last year. The old cars were apparently very easy to drive and that made for hard passing sometimes.

Don't speak as if it were fact the races were boring. That is simply your opinion. Outside of plate races, I've never watched a race and thought it was boring. Races are long and the margin of victory is only one factor. Talladega generally has close finishes, but the first 95% of the race I find hard to stomach. Some races are very intriguing but end up with a car winning by several seconds. The bottom line is, 43 very fast cars have a race and how boring can it ever be? There is always strategy, speed, and excitement of some kind. A story is told each and every race. I watch every minute of every race and I don't remember that '11 was any better than '12.

I think maybe the reason I never find races boring is that I watch the whole picture. It's not just about how wins. I see every position as a race. There are always story lines. Maybe its, oh RCR is finally running better on 1.5 mile tracks or, Roush is struggling at Martinsville. Always something to think about. I follow lap times closely, and I have access to the scanners. Always a good time. Except 'Dega and Daytona.

TV ratings,Hon. So many races the last two seasons have been snooze-a-thons and aero push has made passing almost impossible. NASCAR was built on lead changes and close finishes. Kinda sad when the most exciting finish in NASCAR history happened so long ago that of the two guys involved one you can only see as an analyst (Ricky Craven) and the other NEEDS an analyst (Kurt Busch).

Bonus points if you know where and when that fantastic finish occurred,the make of cars driven,the teams that owned the cars and who sponsored each car. Yes,I know every answer. Ought to,I was at that race. Turn 4,20 rows up. Same seats I still own,all these years later. Saw it all.

No. It used to be real quick and a fascinating approach. It added drama to the race and made it so anybody who hooked up with a just right associate would be out entrance. It expanded the chances of passing and likewise lessened the danger of the large one. At this point in time with these cars and all the restrictions NASCAR has placed on them with out the two automobile draft it will be like gazing the one file memorial day parade go through at 200 MPH minus the firetrucks and the tossing of candy.

Sometimes I wonder why you even bother watching NASCAR. As I've said before, the racing is far better today than it has ever been; the competition is nothing short of unbelievable. 2012 was no exception; it was a phenomenal racing season.

You will continue to be disappointed if you're expecting some drastic change in the racing next season. I know we will see faster lap times and probably more wrecks at the plate tracks (that will make you happy) but other than that, there is nothing that should change the actual racing up much at all.

You wont like this answer but Nascar listens to fans to much. Unfortunately they listen to the casual fan who tend to whine the most about the racing. The racing last year was the best in years but because of the lack of wrecks the whiners did what they do best, Whine about the lack of action! Racing is best if left alone, let the drivers do what they do best. Race!

The gen 6 actually , kinda looks like something we would drive to work. Back in the day was the motto "win on sunday, Sell on monday" Them cars were starting to look ridiculous for a minute. When they had the goofy wing and the splitter. At least they kinda look like=e something you could buy.

Driers are saying that this car has more downforce than last year, which is a good thing. More downforce = more grip = drivers can run closer and make more risks = better racing.

I thought 2012 was a good year, but unfortunately my favorite drivers failed my expectations.

almost every race in 2011 was a fuel mileage race. thats why the racing was so close majority of the time and that there were so many winners.