Gordon approves softer bumpers

The issue of bump drafting was one of the major topics during the series' last visit to a super speedway, February's Daytona 500.

Reigning champion Tony Stewart believes that drivers could be killed if the level of bump drafting - where a driver literally pushes the driver in front to enhance their position - continued.

NASCAR policed the problem in Daytona by creating no-bump drafting zones on the track, but are planning to go stage further and mandate a softer front-end.

A softer front bumper will discourage bump drafting with the aggressor possibly having to suffer a large aerodynamic penalty for hitting the driver in front and damaging their car, or having their engine overheat through the damage.

"I'm all for it," Gordon said. "I've been hoping for something like this for a while because I think the bump-drafting has just gotten out of control.

"NASCAR took the first step in Daytona by incorporating some penalties. This is the next step.

"I'm real curious how they're going to govern that because there's so much behind that front bumper, duct work, it's going to be difficult for them to really get behind there.  There may be some teams that are still trying to hide things back there that they're able to use that bumper."

Gordon did warn however that bump-drafting would likely still be prevalent in the closing laps when victory was at stake.

"In the closing laps of the race, the bumper's not going to mean anything," Gordon said. "In that last two or three laps, guys are going to go for the win.  They're going to be - they're going to be using their front bumpers. They don't care whether it overheats or not.

"The only reason you soften the front bumpers up is so you can't hit the guy because it overheats the engine with the radiator ducting."