BUMPDRAFTING has become the hot topic at this years Daytona with allot of hand-wringing and speculation about the "big one". NASCAR has added officials around the track to curb the aggressive practice in the corners and will penalize those who think they are racing each other on a playstation 2.

For years I have looked at topics like this and discussed them among friends and family. Many consider my ideas "revolutionary", sometimes years before their time. In 1983 I worked with a friend to put a Commodore 64 in a drag bike to collect data. I wrote a few race teams offering my services but didn't get any replies.

I first addressed this problem here May 2 in the post "A easy way to stop the BIG ONE" http://groups.google.com/group/rec.autos.sport.nascar/browse_frm/thread/19d327b277e24af3/664593483be05e0b?lnk=st&q=bump+group%3Arec.autos.s port.nascar&rnum=69&hl=en#664593483be05e0b.

I also followed up that on May 5 with "Stuff to fix restrictor plate tracks" http://groups.google.com/group/rec.autos.sport.nascar/browse_frm/thread/fa82040b4d7b8333/325d6f697c0fb8ec?lnk=st&q=bump+group%3Arec.autos.s port.nascar&rnum=68&hl=en#325d6f697c0fb8ec .

My common sense approach has finally trickled up to the decision makers and the "talking heads" in this sport. I am happy to see them embrace safety over spectacle no matter how slow the wheels of progress turn.

I hope NASCAR continues to improve our sport. I also hope they acknowledge my contribution to this issue.