Waltrip suggests more NASCAR changes

Three-time champion Darrell Waltrip says NASCAR needs to make several changes — other than the test ban for 2009 — to help the sport. One major change he would make is with the schedule.

"You’ve got to get the season shortened up, so we’re not competing against the NFL," Waltrip said of the fall portion of the schedule. “I firmly believe this would help TV ratings and it would also give us an offseason."

"I’d race on New Year’s Eve,’’ he said. “I’d go to Fontana. I could pack the joint. I’d have a race that afternoon, and I would have fireworks that night. People would love that.

"I’d race on Super Bowl Sunday. We could start the race at 1 o’clock like we used to, everybody is at home and parties are going on for the Super Bowl, plus I get to watch a race."