NEVER SATISFIED; Does NASCAR want even more control?(Motorsports)

Byline: AL PEARCE

The top line of the business card reads, "BRETT BODINE.'' Then, in smaller letters below, the title, "Director of Cost Research.'' Nowhere, Bodine quickly says, does his job description say anything about helping NASCAR move into the car-building and car-selling business.

That's what some NASCAR-watchers fear is coming. They think the sanctioning body (which already owns or controls almost everything) wants to eventually build and sell cars to Nextel Cup teams. And why not? After all, Mike Helton (NASCAR president) and the Frances have made their cars so "aero-matched'' (read: virtually identical) that it is difficult to tell a Ford from a Chevrolet from a Dodge. Other than brand-specific decals, sponsorship livery and grilles, most fans and TV cameras can't tell one from another.

But neither Bodine nor anyone else polled during Coca-Cola 600 weekend thinks NASCAR has any interest in supplying 14 to 20 cars to 40-something teams, most of which already have that capability. Granted, the vast majority of the 33 templates in pre-race inspection are common to every brand, but that is more a function of safety and competition than a model for generic cars for over-the-counter sale. Besides, has anyone noticed that at least two or three of each brand are capable of winning almost every weekend?

Still, some critics don't think NASCAR is satisfied with its current embarrassment of riches. It owns tracks that host about half the races and wants more. It owns a radio network and website, and it might as well own Speed Channel. And it is always trolling for more. It lists 37 "official sponsors'' on its hauler and is always making deals to generate more cash. So it is inconceivable that the new R&D Center in Concord, North Carolina, might become a manufacturing and sales point for brand-neutered race cars.

"Oh, I don't see that happening,'' Bodine said of the oft-repeated scenario. "That's certainly not part of what I was hired to do. My primary areas of concern are safety, competition and cost containment. Right now, I think we're doing a good job because we're not hearing the complaints we used to. Nobody is arguing on a weekly basis that his brand isn't getting a fair shake. A team's job is to use everything it has to make cars go faster. Our job is to enforce the rulebook and make sure there is not a manufacturer of the month. The playing field is as level as I've ever seen it. As a former owner/driver, that's a good feeling. Nobody's handicapped and everybody has a chance, the way it should be. Building cars for sale to teams? No, not gonna happen.''

Some people see some ...