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Though less-durable tires and shorter spoilers have reduced the impact of fuel-economy racing and put the sport more in the hands of drivers, saving gas remains an integral factor in NASCAR Nextel Cup.
That was evident on Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 1.5-mile tri-oval in the first race of the 2004 season under the series' most common track configuration. A Daytona 500 run under restrictor-plate rules and a Week 2 race at a Rockingham track abusive to tires were not nearly as informative.
Just ask Kevin Harvick, who ran out of fuel with five laps left and went from the top five to 21st.
"I can't believe we ran out of gas with that many laps to go," Harvick said. "We need to throw out our computers that figure that stuff and start over."
Harvick's crew chief, Todd Berrier, had no explanation.
"The fall-off on the tires wasn't a terrible thing," he said. "It's still going to come to gas mileage again. We knew we were going to be short, regardless. There isn't anything we could do about that."
Kasey Kahne used what he learned from last season's master of economy in finishing second to Matt Kenseth for the second straight week. Crew chief Tommy Baldwin began encouraging the rookie to conserve fuel with about 40 laps left as he battled for position with Tony Stewart.
"That was the first time I've ever had anybody say "Save fuel'," Kahne said. "I was like, "How do I save fuel? Lift early?' I remember hearing Ryan Newman talking about saving fuel. I did some of the stuff I heard him talking about. Obviously, we saved enough. I don't know if it was anything I did or not."
NEW DIGS: Tim Ramsberger, former general manager of the currently defunct Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, has accepted a position as vice president of promoter operations with Open Wheel Racing, the series that was to stage the race. Ramsberger will be a liaison between the series, which will race as Champ Car, and promoters.
Champ Car announced its 16-race schedule on Monday, beginning with the April 18 Grand Prix of Long Beach. The slate includes "to be determined" dates in September and November.
CHANGES: Formula One's new one-engine regulation and qualifying system were roundly criticized by competitors after the season-opening Grand Prix of Australia on Sunday, creating a possibility the old rules could be reinstated before the Malaysian Grand Prix on March 21.
The engine rule was designed to reduce costs for smaller teams, but has produced a qualifying system league principal Bernie Ecclestone deemed "terrible" and not conducive to television, according to CAPSIS International news service.
"Something can be done quickly if we all say "Yes, do it'," Renault chief Flavio Briatore said. "Only the stupid never change their minds. Then again, this is very stupid."
BIG IN JAPAN: NASCAR announced a three-year broadcasting partnership with Japan's Nippon Television Network. As part of developing the sport in one its top international markets, the network will offer customized Japanese commentary and graphics during race broadcasts.
CONGRESSIONAL HEARING: Nextel Cup driver John Andretti is on the tentative witness list for a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday on a possible constitutional amendment banning actions that some deem as desecration of the American flag. Andretti will represent the Citizens Flag Alliance, which supports legislation to prevent what it calls "acts of physical desecration."
INDY 500: Robby Gordon said he will field his own entry, marking the fourth consecutive season he will compete in the IRL race and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.