Gluck: NASCAR should listen to drivers and act Rules package needs change now to improve racing, fan experience

Jeff Gluck | USA TODAY Sports

Show Caption Hide Caption What to watch for at NASCAR Axalta 400 USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck on what to watch for at Pocono Raceway.

NASCAR took a giant first step last week in meeting with an organized drivers council for the first time in years.

Superstars such as Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart were among those who met with officials and exchanged ideas on competition, safety and the direction of the sport.

Now those officials should do more than listen.

It's time to act on what the drivers are telling them.

In the last five years or so, NASCAR has gotten exponentially better about seeking feedback from many areas of the industry. But when it comes to the racing, the drivers' opinions often have not been heeded.

Take a look at the current rules package, for example. For the last few years, drivers such as Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin – who helped organize the council -- have stumped for a lower-downforce package both publicly and privately, believing less downforce would help them put on a better show for the fans and create more passing opportunities.

This year, NASCAR decided to make a slight downforce reduction. But the sanctioning body also cut horsepower, which negated the downforce reduction and actually raised corner speeds to perhaps unprecedented levels.

The result has been a disappointing season on the track so far. So-called "clean air" -- which has been a factor for some time now -- seems more pronounced this year as drivers struggle to catch the leader or pass. There simply hasn't been good racing – not the kind that passes the eye test, anyway.

The All-Star Race last month was a dry, follow-the-leader affair. That was followed by a Coca-Cola 600 that only had intrigue thanks to the prospect of a new winner and a fuel-mileage finish. And the Dover race last week had too many moments which could be described with the dreaded 'B' word.

With the oft-uneventful Pocono Raceway on deck, followed by Michigan International Speedway, the next two weeks aren't exactly brimming with anticipation.

That's not good for a sport which is seeing a continued decline in television ratings – now a decade-long trend. For the first time in 10 years, the Indianapolis 500 drew more viewers and a higher TV rating than the Coca-Cola 600, Sprint Cup's longest event.

You'd think the powers that be would do something about all this. When the world's best stock car drivers say they can't pass or put on a good show – yet they find the cars easier to drive and handle than ever – that's a problem.

It doesn't appear that the 2015 rules package was ever meant to be more than a temporary stopgap until a bigger adjustment was finalized. All the drivers believed sweeping changes were coming in 2016, and NASCAR had planned to have that tweaked rules package ready to showcase in the All-Star Race last month.

But those plans got scrapped when officials ran into a couple roadblocks. First, team owners were not in favor of major changes because it would be expensive; second, it was unclear whether Goodyear could come up with a tire that supported the package.

Maybe, officials said, the 2015 package would stick around for next year. The number of different winners and green-flag passes were among the data cited as evidence the racing was fine.

Suddenly, the garage seemed to grow more vocal. There was a tangible sense of unrest. Was everyone going to be stuck with this rules package for at least another year and a half?

That was likely one of the topics during the drivers council meeting at Dover. And whatever suggestions were communicated to NASCAR about the competition should be taken to heart.

No, the drivers' opinions don't always represent what's best for the sport. But in this case, the competitors behind the wheel might know best how to shake up the stale competition and put on the kind of show that fans are getting increasingly desperate to see.

What has the sport got to lose?

Follow Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck