Auto Racing Capsules: NASCAR wants to reduce two-car drafting this year

The sport enjoyed one of its most exciting seasons ever last year, culminating with Tony Stewart winning his third Sprint Cup championship in the last race of the season. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said the sport is "in a very good place" as it moves toward another season beginning next month with the Daytona 500.

But France also believes it can be even better.

So while NASCAR will pretty much leave well enough alone, they will make a few minor tweaks including taking some measures to address reducing two-car tandem racing at Daytona and Talladega.

"We have had a breathtaking number of close finishes at those tracks, but the fans want a mixture of styles including a return to a more traditional 'pack racing' and that close side-by-side competition that's unique to Talladega and Daytona," France said Thursday at NASCAR's annual preseason press conference. "NASCAR and the teams are working hard on this and based on the test earlier this month, we're encouraged that we're making progress."

France said the two-car tandem racing "evolved into something that no one saw coming, and now we're going to deal with that."

NASCAR's vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said some changes will be made to the cars including adding a slightly larger restrictor plate, a smaller spoiler and softer springs.

Those changes will be made beginning at Daytona next month.

"All of these combinations will help the qualifying be more exciting," said Pemberton. "... The changes we made in the cooling system and the aero package we believe will aid in getting back to the more traditional style pack drafting that we've come to expect at Daytona and Talladega."

Pemberton also said NASCAR will be implementing some similar adjustments to the Nationwide and the Camping World Truck Series.

"We know that the fans want to see more of the traditional style pack drafting, and so do we," said Pemberton. "We won't be able to totally eliminate the two car push. It will be a valuable tool that the teams will be able to use from time to time. However, we do believe that we've come up with a rules package that will help it be the exception rather than the norm."

Pemberton said test results at Daytona earlier this month were productive.

"We've received great feedback from the teams, and it was unprecedented, it really was," said Pemberton. "The communication was second to none."

While the 2012 season will be one of continuity rather than major change, NASCAR will introduce electronic fuel injection into the Sprint Cup Series.

"EFI excites the manufacturers and technology companies," said France. "To attract new companies (to the sport), we've had to take a little different view of that."

France said NASCAR is "very encouraged" by increased television ratings across its three national series - the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series.

He also pointed to attendance gains at a number of venues.

"While we are still in a tough economic climate that is still difficult, we are pleased with some positive steps we saw last year," he said.

NASCAR did make some changes off the track this week. They announced Wednesday they'll make all fines public in the future, a change from past years where they were kept secret.

The big changes for NASCAR will come in 2013. That's when the re-styled NASCAR Sprint Cup cars from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota will make the sport more relevant to manufacturers and technology companies. Ford earlier this week unveiled its 2013 Fusion prototype with the other original equipment manufacturers to follow in the near future.

A closed test of the cars is scheduled early next month with additional testing to follow before final specifications are drawn.

"This is certainly a milestone in our sport," said Pemberton. "We've worked very closely with the manufacturers on the new car and the four new models are simply outstanding. I think the fans are going to love them and it is going to be such a positive step in helping our race cars become more and more relevant with our fans past, present and future."

France pointed to initiatives begun a year ago including a simplified points structure in all three national series and a "wild card" twist in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup that placed a greater emphasis on race victories.

All of that culminated in what France called "a championship battle that will be talked about for decades to come."

Pocono Raceway founder Mattioli dies at 86

Bob Pleban, the vice president of administration at Pocono Raceway, confirmed the news to The Associated Press, saying family members informed him Mattioli passed away around 1 p.m Thursday at Lehigh Valley Hospital Center in Allentown, Pa. He said Mattioli's family members were gathered at his side at the time of his death.

Mattioli, a dentist known as "Doc" to friends and associates, founded Pocono Raceway in the early 1960's and ran the speedway for more than four decades with his wife Rose. Under his leadership, the track grew in stature and has hosted 68 very successful NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events.

Mattioli and his wife, Rose, retired last year, handing over control of Pocono Raceway to their eldest three grandchildren.

His passing leaves a void in the NASCAR community, according to NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France.

"He was a friend from the very beginning with my grandfather and I'm sad to hear the news," France said. "I'm very close with the Mattioli family. Obviously our hearts go out to them. He was a great man and cared a lot about this sport."

Added NASCAR president Mike Helton: "Doc was symbolic of the passion of our sport. When you say Pocono everybody has their own different interpretation. But it's certainly shows the character and passion and impact that Doc and Rose made on our sport, and that is one that will be forever engrained in that track. I'm sad to hear of his passing."

Pocono Raceway is the only remaining family owned and run track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule.

A release by Pocono Speedway said Mattioli "kept his fingers on the pulse of stock car racing and read everything printed concerning the sport. He was in the office daily, until last fall, and oversaw all aspects of the Pocono Raceway operations."

At age 83, Mattioli spearheaded an ambitious solar energy project. He built a three megawatt photovoltaic solar energy system on 25 acres at Pocono Raceway. It is the world's largest solar-powered sports facility, making Pocono Raceway a leader in the renewable energy and environmental fields.

In 2009, he received the Philanthropic Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his generous and continuous contributions to local civic organizations, hospitals, schools and charities.

Mattioli served in the Pacific during World War Two as a Navy medic.

Using the G.I. bill, he enrolled in the dentistry program at Temple University, where he met his soon to be wife, Rose.

Upon graduation, he developed his dental practice into a very lucrative business by working extensive hours. He began investing in and developing properties in Philadelphia and Northeastern Pennsylvania where he became involved in the startup process of what would become Pocono Raceway.

Mattioli is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dr. Rose, daughters Louie and Michele and son Joseph Mattioli III, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

-- Steve Reed

Ward Burton to race NASCAR Truck Series at Daytona

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Former Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton is getting back behind the wheel in NASCAR. He's bringing his son along, too.

Burton signed with Hillman Racing and will drive in next month's season opening Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Hillman also agreed to start a driver development program for Burton's 19-year-old son, Jeb.

Jeb Burton has been racing in NASCAR's Whelen All-American Series and eventually will drive Hillman's No. 27 Chevrolet in the Truck Series.

Ward Burton last competed in a Sprint Cup race in 2007. He has made 375 starts at NASCAR's top level, earning five wins and 24 top-five finishes. Burton also has four Nationwide Series victories in 161 starts.

Driver details for the rest of the season will be announced later.

RPM forms Nationwide team for Annett

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Richard Petty Motorsports has formed a Nationwide Series team for Michael Annett. His car will be sponsored by Pilot Flying J and will run for the Nationwide championship.

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — MillerCoors has signed contract extensions with NASCAR and Penske Racing. The multiyear deals with the brewer's two biggest brands was announced Thursday.

The deal extends the sponsorship of Coors Light as the official beer of NASCAR. That program began in 2008 after Coors Light ended its sponsorship of the No. 40 car.

Miller Lite also extended its relationship as primary sponsor of Brad Keselowski's No. 2 car with Penske Racing. Miller Lite has partnered with Penske and the No. 2 car since 1991.

Grand Am

He knew his car was fast, but given that the team had just two weeks to tune it and then failed to turn a lap in the first practice session because of engine failure, sitting on the pole was hardly expected.

Nonetheless, Dalziel bested Max Angelelli, Chip Ganassi's two-car powerhouse team and IndyCar regular Ryan Hunter-Reay on the road course at Daytona International Speedway.

Dalziel turned a fast lap of 1 minute, 41.119 seconds in Thursday's qualifying session. He will lead the field to the green flag for the 50th running of the around-the-clock event. The race begins Saturday and ends Sunday.

"To get the pole is very rewarding, but it's a long race," said Dalziel, who drives for Starworks Motorsport. "The pole doesn't mean too much. It proves to us that we have a fast car, but we already knew we had a reliable car and had a great crew."

Angelelli will be on the outside pole. Scott Dixon will start third in one of Ganassi's two entries.

Ganassi's other car, the one driven primarily by two-time defending series champions Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, will start near the back of the class. The car blew an engine in practice and failed to make a qualifying lap in the DP class.

Hunter-Reay qualified ninth after landing a last-minute deal to drive another car for Starworks. It looked as if Hunter-Reay, who had been slated to drive with IndyCar regulars Tony Kanaan and E.J. Viso, would miss the event after funding fell through. But team owner Peter Baron asked Hunter-Reay to step into another ride.

Andrew Davis topped qualifying in the GT class, edging Jeff Segal and NASCAR rookie of the year Andy Lally.

The GT class could have as many as 46 cars in the starting lineup. The DP class is considerably smaller at 14, and Dalziel believes his team can compete with anyone.

Dalziel gained confidence last September when he and teammate Enzo Potolicchio won the Grand-Am finale in Lexington, Ohio, giving Starworks Motorsport its third victory in seven seasons.

"Last year, we deserved to get more results than we did," Dalziel said. "I think sometimes the underdogs are not expected to beat the powerhouse teams. But what's happened with Starworks the past four or five months is we've tried to create a powerhouse team. I think we've hired all the right people and put together an unbelievable car.

"I think the (No. 8) car is going to be a contender not only this weekend, but it's going to be a contender for every race this year. I don't think we have a weak link in our chain. I really am pretty excited about this."

Starworks got the new Ford Riley chassis in December, had the body fitted in January and only got an hour of seat time before qualifying.

"I think everybody's a little bit unsure what to expect at this point," Dalziel said. "I'm sure we're going to find out pretty quickly when we get started here. It'll be interesting to see if everybody really did run flat out."

Angelelli, who has finished second in the series the past two years, was disappointed with his qualifying effort.

"I wasn't expecting ending in P2," he said. "I still feel our car is really good, is really fast. I still feel for the 24 hour, we'll be the car to beat."

Like Dalziel, Angelelli also isn't sure what to expect with so many new cars making their Grand-Am debut.

"We have no idea what's going to happen or what could happen," Angelelli said. "We've never run longer than one hour and we're going to have another 23 to go. So I'm expecting issues for everybody. I can't believe we'll see cars finishing the race without an issue."

-- Mark Long