Changes coming to Cup? Mayfield, NASCAR in court

A NASCAR spokesperson hinted at possible changes coming this season that could alter the racing and address some issues fans had this past season. While they wouldn't reveal details, a story on Foxsports.com states that NASCAR might replace the wing with a spoiler on Cup cars a few races into the season.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston on the spoiler and possible changes said Thursday: "We are currently meeting with drivers and owenrs to discuss a number of options. Going backc to the spoiler is one of them under serious consideration. We'll make an announcement in the coming weeks.''

UPDATE: Earlier I wrote here about the issue of spoilers and the issue or cars getting airborne and if that was a factor for a possible change. Since, someone with knowledge of the situation has stated that any change from th wing to the spoiler would be about making the competition better. That will be tested in the wind tunnel and if the results come back better than with the wing then one could expect a change to be made.

A few other things:

# Red Bull Racing announced that Ken Schrader will drive the No. 82 in the Bud Shootout. Schrader is eligible as a former winner of the event and Red Bull's driver in the 82, Scott Speed, is not. This is just for this event only. Reports have stated that Bill Elliott might get into the 6 car of David Ragan for the Shootout, doing the same thing as Schrader since Elliott is eligible. Another driver eligible is Derrike Cope. Have heard he plans to compete in his own car in the event.

# Kevin Harvick Inc. announced that Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler the two will drive in 15 of 25 Truck races in the No. 2 truck  this upcoming season. Sadler will drive for the team at Daytona and in seven other races. Harvick is set to drive in seven races.

# While the Nationwide series has followed the truck series with crew member limits at the race track, that won't happen in Cup this year, a NASCAR spokesperson said.

# A new thing NASCAR is doing at Daytona is holding a seminar for rookie drivers. Kind of like what other sports do for rookies. This will be for all Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates and any driver under the age of 22 in NASCAR's top three series. It will give these drivers a chance to meet series officials, better understand rules, along with dealing with the media and even security-related issues.

# NASCAR and Jeremy Mayfield were back in federal court Thursday in Charlotte. It was a hearing set up by the judge to go over issues both sides were having on exchanging information. However, the biggest concern for Judge Graham C. Mullen is the issue of NASCAR Chairman Brian France's residency.  Mayfield's side has raised that question, noting in one court case last year France listed his residency as Charlotte, N.C., and in another listed it as Florida. If the residency is determined to be NC, then the case would move from federal court to state court. It's NASCAR's preference to keep it in federal court and NASCAR is confident that it will be proven that France is a resident of Florida. What this means is that France will likely have to make another apperance in court at some time. He wasn't there Thursday. Also, France will have his deposition on Jan. 19 and it will be in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Mayfield was there Thursday. He sat in the front row with his wife in what was a 10-minute court session. Outside the courtroom, Mayfield said little about the case, although he noted it was going to get "interesting'' on the France residency issue. As for what he's doing these days, Mayfield said: "Just trying to survive like everybody else.'' He did say he likely would have another auction at his property possibly in the spring.

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