Tony Stewart finally got NASCAR’s attention in a good way by speaking out about the dangers of bump drafting.

"It is out of control,” Stewart said. “We're going to kill somebody.”

The last thing NASCAR wants is another death on the racetrack. It’s been five years since Dale Earnhardt lost his life on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Stewart does not intend to be the next victim, nor is he interested in any of his fellow competitors suffering such a fate.

“I was watching TV before we came down here and they were talking about the tribute to Dale Earnhardt. Five years from now, we're probably going to have to do another tribute to another driver.”

To Stewart’s credit, the Indiana native did more than just express his concern to the racing public and the media. Stewart waited patiently outside the NEXTEL Cup transporter while driver Carl Edwards and then crew chief Chad Knaus had sessions with the top brass. Two days later NASCAR officials decided it was time they cracked down on the situation.

“Long-term, we're looking at some different bumper configurations in the R&D center now,” Pemberton said when asked about how NASCAR intends to control bump drafting.

“It's obvious that we can't do that right now. Our goal is to not take away any part of the safety of the cars. So when we make that change, they'll have to be at least as safe as they are now and absorb the same energy. We just may have to reconfigure the bumpers where when you do bump-draft, it might disturb the nose or bend it permanently where you'll lose your aero advantage.”

Until that day comes, NASCAR will post officials through the turns to monitor the situation. If an official feels the situation is not safe it could result in a drive through penalty (driving down pit road at reduced speed) for the offending driver.

Just the possibility of a penalty for bump drafting, in the corners only, may well be enough to rein in the horses. When passing under the yellow line became a major problem NASCAR reacted in a similar manner. Since that time, the tactic has almost completely disappeared.

Better for a strategy to go away, than another driver.   

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