Could rivalries be going back to the way they were in the “good ol’ days?” Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison duke it out after the 1979 Daytona 500. Photo Credit: RacingOne Multimedia

During last month’s media tour in Charlotte, NASCAR announced that it would loosen the reigns of power a little to let drivers police themselves more and let their personalities shine through.

“We are going to have an eye on putting things back in the drivers’ hands,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said during a press conference on Jan. 21. “They are going to mix it up a little bit differently, because we are going to loosen it up.”

This should make for more exciting racing action on the track, as well as possibly sowing the seeds for some rivalries and maybe even continuing rivalries that have already sprung up – Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin, for example.

The move toward letting drivers show and act on more emotions should delight fans watching in the grandstands and at home. After all, was racing really meant to be a non-contact sport? You know what they say – “Rubbing’s racing.”

Fans have been complaining for years that drivers have become too politically correct, many of them even referred to as “vanilla.” Maybe a little bumping and rubbing will bring some of these drivers out of their shells.

Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, spins into the infield during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. (Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

“Do this, don’t do that.” NASCAR seems to be all about rules. Rules are spelled out in intricate detail for each race weekend as to what the race has in store, how things are going to be monitored, and even how the drivers should (or shouldn’t) race. But isn’t all of this just a little too much? After all, who is NASCAR to tell these guys how to race? Isn’t this series widely regarded as the highest level in all of motorsports? Aren’t these the most talented drivers in the world? NASCAR seems to be making a habit of regulating the races, and telling the drivers how to race. Yes, as of late, NASCAR has made some good decisions regarding the race fans (earlier start times, double-file restarts). But, there needs to be a line drawn in the sand somewhere.

(Center to right) Team owner Jack Roush and Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 26 IRWIN Marathon Ford, celebrate in McMurray’s third career win in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday in Talladega, Ala. Despite his recent win, McMurray is one of several drivers jockeying for a ride in 2010. (Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

It’s that time of year again — time for NASCAR’s version of musical chairs. Of course, in NASCAR’s version, there’s usually enough chairs — or cars — to go around, with everyone looking to move finding a new home with a new team.

With team mergers and cutbacks, so is not the case as teams and drivers prepare for 2010. It wasn’t all that long ago that Chip Ganassi Racing was a three-car operation and Dale Earnhardt Inc. fielded three cars in Sprint Cup competition. The two organizations have since merged to become a sing two-car team.

Before that, Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises merged to form a four-car team. That team, which became Richard Petty Motorsports, recently announced another merger, joining the two-car Yates Racing to form one four-car organization.

Then you have Roush Fenway Racing. The Roush organization has been running five Sprint Cup Series cars for years, but at the conclusion of the 2009 season, the team must scale back to four to comply with NASCAR’s four-car cap.

There’s just nothing like being at the racetrack! (Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Why is it that we always leave the racetrack so happy? After all, most people walk away with a sunburn that would make a cherry blush, that hotdog they ate is giving them heartburn, and someone spilled beer all over their new Dale Jr. T-shirt! How is that enjoyable?

Well fans, that’s racing! With every cloud, there is a silver lining. The Dale Jr. shirt may have a stain, but it will come out with some good elbow grease. The hotdog may be paying you back now, but at the time it was delicious! And, you may be burned to a crisp, but you were cheering on your favorite driver on a sunny afternoon. Who could ask for more?

A NASCAR race is all about the experience, not necessarily the event. Fans flock to the parking lots hours before the gates open from Fri.-Sun., and many don’t leave until well after the race is over. They’re not just sitting there tailgating either. NASCAR has a traveling troupe of merchandise trailers, sponsor tents, and entertainment stands (oh my!) that go to each and every race almost every weekend of the year. Therefore, fans are given an array of things to do while they spend a day (weekend!) at the races.

Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Mark Martin, driver of the No. 5 CARQUEST/Kellogg’s Chevrolet, races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday in Loudon, N.H. The Chase continues this Sunday at Dover International Speedway with Round 2 in the AAA 400 at the Monster Mile (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Nine to go and it certainly looks unpredictable. Eight different teams, the most ever in the Chase, will be represented by 12 drivers in the final stretch of the 2009 NASCAR season . Who will win, nobody knows, and wins is exactly the issue here. Let’s venture away from the “Oh no, Kyle Busch has four wins and missed the Chase . . .” mantra, and look more at the drivers in the Chase since they’re the ones that matter. Consistency is obviously the key to success in this series, but is that what the fans really want? Most fans aren’t sitting there yelling “top 5, driver, top 5” on their sofa with some wine. They’re in the grandstands with a Budweiser in one hand and a sign in the other that says “Go for the win!” We have four winless drivers in the Chase that got in by consistency, points racing, and playing it safe. Is that really what we want? No way! We want a points system where you cannot, will not, and should not win the championship unless you’re winning races and going for the win!