Time to recharge and regroup

Four races into the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule and we get our first weekend off. Rather than debate whether teams need a break so early in the season, I attempt to make an argument for why it's valuable for teams – some more than others – to have this particular weekend free.

It's of value to all teams and drivers because the focus in Sprint Cup racing will shift dramatically from three consecutive intermediate tracks to pure short-track racing at Bristol and Martinsville. And I'm not sure everyone is ready. Here are four reasons why drivers and team members might need an extra week to refocus:

1. Bristol, like no other track on the circuit, punishes you for someone else's mistake, in front or behind you. It is the high-banked, half-mile track famous for 16-second laps, which alone illustrates why drivers are vulnerable at Bristol.

Oftentimes, drivers get swept into wrecks – regardless of where they are running on the track – because they cannot stop quickly enough. Or the reverse happens, where they slow too quickly and get hit from behind. With a wall inside and out all the way around the track, drivers have very little run-off to avoid spins and crashes.

2. There have been a glut of pit-road issues and failures so far this year. Most have led to penalties, while others have potentially cost teams wins. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson have all slid through their pit stalls while running well enough to win that day's event. There is no relief in sight, as pit road at both Bristol and Martinsville challenges drivers and crew members with the highest degree of difficulty. With small pit boxes, tight pit-road conditions and lack of visibility, drivers must navigate a turn at the beginning and end of pit road. The potential for more pit-road problems the next two races is very, very high.

3. Engine problems have been a primary concern in the early part of 2009. Engines have been failing as teams appear to be reaching or exceeding the limits of internal parts and pieces. No track exposes these engines to a broader RPM range (without shifting) than does Martinsville. The tight, relatively flat, hair-pinned turns require drivers to slow dramatically, then a low rear-gear ratio (lowest on the schedule) is necessary to assist in getting the car off the corners and back to speed. As a result, engines will be put through an aggressive range of RPM. Considering all the early-season engine issues, the extra week may come as a relief to engine builders before teams head to Tennessee and Virginia.

4. The top 35 in the standings following Bristol will establish who is or is not locked into the starting lineup when teams head to Martinsville. This obviously does not affect teams solidly in the top 25 in point standings but has an enormous effect on the dozen or so teams and drivers hovering around the cutoff.

You can't imagine how disruptive it is for a team knowing they have to qualify just to make it in. It disrupts your entire weekend because you essentially lose a day of race practice on Friday since your day is dominated by whether you're fast enough to make the race.

There are some high-profile teams facing the possibility of having to qualify based on lap time at Martinsville if they finish poorly at Bristol – including Mark Martin, Ryan Newman and Joey Logano.

These are four reasons why teams can benefit from a few extra days to prepare for the first two short-track events of the year. For some, they are critical races in which solid performances are necessary to help turn around a poor start and prevent from dropping below that 35th spot. For others, it's an opportunity to expand on an already strong start. Either way, the two weeks will help all teams as they transition to a completely different type of racing.