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Although the cars and stars of NASCAR racing have changed in the past 20 years, one element that has remained the same
is the level of anticipation of the next event. The objective for drivers and teams is a
constant that lead footers of the past still seek: the keys to Victory Lane.
Looking back at NASCAR in 1991, it's clear the sport has evolved in terms of popularity.
Even with the twilight years of Richard Petty, fans had Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace,
Davey Allison, and Darrell Waltrip to turn to for entertaining on-track action.
Those wheelmen traded paint if they had to win a race, waging battle on the asphalt arenas much like today's stars who
consistently drive their machines as if every lap was a qualifying effort. However, when looking at a few aspects at
some of the competitive variations of 1991 and 2011, it's almost like looking at a different sport.
For example, consider the margin of victory in 1991. Of course, this was before electronic scoring was implemented,
so this statistic only accounts for races in which the margin was measured in seconds, not with caution enders or car
length scored wins. Of the 29 races run in 1991, there were 21 that had a green flag finish. The average margin of
victory was 5.3 seconds. In today's sport, that would seem like a disparaging number for fans who want
competitive and close finishes.
Keep in mind the margin was was before the "free pass" concept was implemented, as well as variables
such as double-file restarts and the green-white-checkered rule, which have all impacted the finishes. Racers in 1991
had to earn their position back on the lead lap by beating the race leader to the stripe
if a caution flag flew, which sometimes resulted in chaotic situations if danger was on the racing
surface (ie. another car, debris, etc).
Some of the early events in 1991 were impacted by oft-reworked pit road rules due in part to a 1990 incident
that claimed the life of Mike Ritch, a tire changer on Bill Elliott's team. NASCAR officials worked on limiting the
pit road traffic that became a hazardous zone during the races by enforcing a pit road speed limit, which still exists to
this day.
Also, the early races that year featured some confusing pitting rules, such as odd/even starting position cars pitting on
certain laps as well as the banning tire changes during caution periods. Just imagine today's competitors being forced to change
tires only under the green flag.
How competitive is NASCAR Sprint Cup racing now compared to 1991? Consider that 20 years ago, on average, only eight
cars would finish on the lead lap. Not surprisingly, the road course races at Sonoma and Watkins Glen produced races that
saw 18 and 17 lead lap finishers, respectively. The speedway races saw lead lap racers ranging from
two to nine drivers, which in today's racing is a stark contrast. As mentioned, some rules changes since 1991 have played a factor
in the number of cars that not only finish on the lead lap, but compete for race wins.
Today's races produce an average of 36 lead changes per race, somewhat heightened by the restrictor plate races at Daytona
and Talladega. Taking the plate races out of the equation, there would still be an average of nearly 23 lead changes per
race - a testament to closer competition. The next time you hear a racing fan talk about the "good old days" of the 1970s or 1990s, the truth is that it's
definitely not your father's Cup series. Far from it. It's as competitive as it's ever been.
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