FAST FORWARD.(International Federation of Automobiles postpones introduction of standardized aerodynamics and mandatory energy recovery systems)(Formula One cars of Honda Motor Company Ltd. mit enormous amounts of carbon dioxide)(Subaru of America Inc. introduces Subaru Impreza WRC2007 rally racing cars)

NASCAR might promote its Car of Tomorrow to full-time status next year. The original plan called for 16 COT races this year, then 26 next year, before going full-time in 2009. Now, it seems owners and teams want to skip the second phase and run the COT for the full 36-race schedule in 2008. Why bother with the time and expense of building new "regular'' cars for just 10 races when they'll be obsolete in 2009?

"We're hearing a lot of talk already about it, and understandably so,'' says John Darby, the Nextel Cup series director. "It's difficult to run the two programs [regular and COT].''

Talk suggests the official announcement changing the phase-in from three years to two will come before teams return to Daytona Beach in July.

On pause

The FIA, Formula One's governing body, announced a one-year postponement-from 2010 to 2011-of the introduction of standardized aerodynamics and mandatory energy recovery systems.

Rules will demand that proportions of the waste heat generated by braking systems and the waste energy from exhaust gases be recovered and used to help propel F1 cars. The FIA says that all teams have agreed to work under these new regulations. A new rule that engines must last for four races is also set to come into effect in 2011. The governing body is negotiating with the teams on an engine specification that includes fuel flow limits and the use of direct-injection, high-efficiency turbocharging and possibly biofuels.

Easy target