NASCAR's overwhelming popularity can be traced back to the infamous fist fight between the Allison brothers and Yarborough in the 1979 Daytona 500. This successful combination of racing, fisticuffs, and TV continues today.  Watkins Glen was deemed one of the best races this year, partially due to the helmet-grabbing showdown between Harvick and Montoya.

What's the problem?

Fighting is nothing new in sports.  Athletes in intense competition with high emotions often come to blows.  Isn't that the definition of hockey?   Watching clean cut drivers Kenseth and Gordon, shove on pit road or hearing mild mannered Edwards threaten to "bleed" Stewart is nothing but pure entertainment.  Fans love it, so does NASCAR.  This isn't the problem.  Road Rage, intentionally using the car as a weapon, is the problem.

Psychology says...

NASCAR has to guess if angry drivers are going to just be entertaining, or if they're going to cross the line into Road Rage.  Rather than guessing, NASCAR should use basic psychology.  Most people think when we get angry we "explode."  Actually, this isn't the case.  Psychology teaches us that anger comes from multiple smaller incidents, building up over time, until 'someone' punches a photographer.  As Stewart learned in his anger management class, you have to recognize and stop this build up before you reach your breaking point. 

Racing is full of small incidents. A bump here, a rub there, the next thing you know you are intentionally taking someone out.  Heated rivalries continue across races and even seasons.  All this creates a recipe for driver Road Rage. 

Here's the solution...

It's impossible for NASCAR to police the "build up," so they will have to punish Road Rage incidents swiftly and consistently.

NASCAR set a precedent in 2002, suspending Harvick for one Cup race after aggressive driving in the Truck and Busch series. NASCAR gave Robby his this year.  Any Road Rage incident should lead to a one race suspension.  NASCAR is reluctant to sit drivers because of massive financial consequences to sponsors and owners if their driver misses a race.  NASCAR must not bow to the pressure and send a clear message: If You 'Rage' You 'Watch.'

The backlash from sponsors and owners alone should be enough to keep most drivers in line.  However, NASCAR needs to go one step further.  NASCAR must teach all drivers Anger Management before each season.  This will allow them to police themselves out on the track. Drivers know the mechanics of their cars, they need to learn the mechanics of anger. Small incidents add up to big consequences. Drivers need to identify the tell-tale signs of their own breaking point, rather than rely on NASCAR's guesswork.

Stewart learned Anger Management. Harvick watched a race.  Both still express their anger quite freely, but neither has exploded.  They got it.  Will Robby?  Giving drivers the skills to control their anger is the only way NASCAR can eliminate Road Rage and keep the racing entertaining and safe.

Hey NASCAR! I am happy to consult!

For a sport born out of moonshine, racing at night makes perfect sense! Running under the lights creates a vivid spectacle of flashing colors, flying sparks, and glowing metal in an electrifying atmosphere (literally!). In 1978, NASCAR started night racing with a single race at Bristol. The 2007 Cup schedule includes nine point races run at night (Bristol, California, Darlington, Daytona, Lowe's (2), Phoenix, and Richmond (2)) plus the Budweiser Shootout and the All-Star Challenge.

Ask any NASCAR fan and they will tell you they love night races and here's why...

• Racing under the lights is more exciting, it just is!
• Travel arrangements are easier. Travel on Sunday and no missed work on Monday.
• Rain on Saturday, race on Sunday. No lying to your boss on Monday morning!
• Cheaper. Two days are cheaper than three. Period.
• Cooler on those hot summer days. No temporary "8" tattoos sunburned onto your skin or heat stroke from drinking too much Miller Lite in the sun. (Nod to my sponsor!)
• Setting up the cars for a changing track adds drama.
• No more choosing between NASCAR and football.
• Less "Bushwhacking". Cup drivers are less likely to pull double duty with the shortened weekend, giving those Busch drivers a chance.

So why not add more of a good thing? It's complicated...

• Tracks and local economy lose money with a shorter weekend. We all know NASCAR isn't in the business of losing money.
• West coast vs. East coast time problems. What is prime time? Darlington 2005 finished at 11:30PM EST. Too late.
• Conflicts with local Saturday night short track racing forces hometown fans to choose. Small tracks do lose money when NASCAR is in town.

What to do? NASCAR can afford to add a few more night races but will have to make some adjustments first...

• Have no more than 15 point races at night on the Cup schedule. This will preserve the "special" status night races seem to have.
• Have 3 distinct race times. Day: Green flag drops no later than 12 pm EST. 'Tweeners: Late afternoon start and finish under the lights. Night: Race starts and finishes under the lights.
• Add Night or 'Tweener races at tracks with two races already on the schedule. Atlanta and Texas have lights they are not using. I would highly recommend that Pocono, Dover, Martinsville, and Michigan install them! These tracks already have double the profits, so one shorter weekend won't hurt.
• Night races should be shortened. No more than 400 miles so everyone can be awake for the finish.
• Local short tracks move their races to Friday night or Sunday during NASCAR weekends. Add appearances by NASCAR personalities and even more fans will come.

NASCAR will never go back to moonshine runs every weekend, but there is no denying the draw of Saturday nights. Come on NASCAR, pay attention to your fans! With minor compromises, we can ALL shine on.