“Obviously, our simulation programmes are going to have to get a lot more efficient,” Knaus said. “Our wind tunnel testing will have to get a lot more efficient. Our seven-post facility will probably have to be burning up - not that it doesn't run all the time now. But it's probably going to have to have some modifications to correlate more to what we see at the actual racetrack.

“It's going to be tough. We all understand why this has been done. We really do. I hope that the economy takes a turn, and we can get back to testing at some point next year, because I really feel like it's going to hurt the smaller teams.

“You know, when I worked at Melling (Racing), we only had 20-something guys. So I know what it's like to have a small team to compete against the Hendrick Motorsports guys and the Roush guys. The only way you can get better is to be on the racetrack.”

Knaus' logic is spot-on. The teams with the most resources will use them. The have-nots won't, because they can't.

So, even though Johnson doesn't approve of the testing ban, he might not mind it so much in November 2009 when he's holding the Cup trophy for a record fourth straight time.


by Reid Spencer/Sporting News