Why Does Nascar Allow One Car to Push Another?

During the 2010 racing season, NASCAR allowed drivers to perform a technique known as "bump drafting," in which the driver aggressively bumps, or pushes, into the race car in front of him to maintain momentum through a turn. NASCAR previously had banned the practice of bump drafting because of safety concerns.

  1. Background

    • In April 2009, drivers Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski were involved in a serious crash at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. In the middle of a bump drafting attempt, the drivers' cars locked together and crashed into the catch fence, injuring several fans. NASCAR president Mike Helton then ruled that bump drafting would not be allowed.

    Developments

    • In January 2010, NASCAR decided to relax the rules against bump drafting after many fans and drivers complained that the rules had hurt the competitiveness of the races. Helton encouraged drivers to be more aggressive.

    Benefits

    • In auto racing, drafting is a technique in which two racers align closely to reduce the effect of wind and help maintain speed, especially through turns. Bump drafting is more aggressive and dangerous as the 2009 incident between Edwards and Keselowski shows, but it makes it easier for drivers to pass and for races to be more competitive.