Don
I have said it before, I believe that NASCAR simply has far too many rules about the design of the cars. There is virtually no room for interpretation and innovation by the teams. I think that the rules should simply stick to anything to do with safety, plus minimum weight, maximum engine displacement and type (carb vs: injection, push rods vs: OHC, etc), as well as some basic rules about the dimensions of the car. Then let the teams innovate and build their cars the best way they can.
You want to run IRS instead of a live axle, go ahead and give it a try. You want an automatic transmission or a 5 or 6 speed instead of a 4 speed, go ahead. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. Eventually slower teams will pick up on the features of the faster teams and the cars will all be more or less the same until someone had a better idea then further development would take place. I realize that NASCAR will never let this happen.
Wayne