I, too, stopped paying much attention about ten years ago. The focus on points, as opposed to wins (and the heavy point penalties associated with DNFs) lost my attention.
I got tired of seeing racers play-it-safe, with crummy finishes and fear-driven race strategies governing race teams and their drivers.
NASCAR needs to modernize in many ways. Independent rear suspensions with full or near-full bellypans, truncated and vaned diffusers, keeping the ducktail spoilers (no wing, PLEASE), minimum ride height requirements on the track (possibly with an F1-style solution using a wooden board?), ram air hoods, overhead cam fuel-injected V8 engines of 3.5 to 4 liters, variable valve timing on intake valves only, 4 valves/cylinder, RPM limit of 12k, and mandatory larger/longer diffuser for high speed ovals, MORE ROAD COURSES....among other things.
The IRS permits the use of a full bellypan. The bellypan is what makes the diffuser more efficient and permits better racing at places like Daytona and 'Dega. Ducting the exhaust into the diffuse venturi can also increase downforce and quiet the cars somewhat to comply with every-tightening noise regulations.
Make mandatory quick-change body panels (that can be performed during an extended pit stop) that conform to a production car's 7/8 scale dimensions and geometry in most places. This means all aero is not lost upon incidental contact or a minor wreck and the race win can still be vied-for.
Permit teams to utilize a limited number of advanced airflow altering devices (dive planes/canards, vortex generators, etc). Limit size, number, and placement of these devices.... but allow the teams to tailor the cars to their driver's style and conditions which they deem most advantageous to them. Have a set number of pre-formed aero-aids to choose from (3D templates, if you will).
On superspeedways, limit the front grille aperture size. This will force teams to form deltas, line-abreast formations and will encourage more open running....as opposed to the current aero and cooling packages which basically force one to run in long draft-lines of vehicles. Also, force the use of small venturis in front of the front wheels (coming right off the splitter) to cool the front brakes and exhaust out of the wheel/wheel well. This increases front downforce and would require more rear wing angle to keep the car from being aero-loose.
Move to 6-speed sequential gear boxes with TCU controlled clutches. Employ geared, torsen-style rear diffs across the board.
Permit the use of larger wheels and larger brake rotors.
Permit a driver or race team to throw out their three worst finishes of the year and return to a straight points based system that heavily weights race wins over top-5 finishes. A race win would bring 40 points to a 2nd place finisher's 5 points...or something like that. Permitting the discarding of the three worst finishes takes the DNF fear out of drivers really driving hard.
Include Laguna Seca, Road America, Road Atlanta (already have an Xfi ity race there), and Circuit of The Americas (COTA) as road race venues.
Introduce special events at special venues ...... perhaps a Pikes Peak style hill climb instead of the Winston or whatever they're calling it now or an actual road race like CART/Indy. But have these events be for driver/team money AND reduced points.
Forget templates; NASCAR must upgrade to a 3D model of each car and each car will be tested with a 3D plotter jig. Pick 50-100 points and each team has to meet each point within a tolerance or they don't start.
NASCAR is bleeding viewers and bleeding fans (more importantly). If they don't attract a younger audience, they're going to file bankruptcy in 10 years or less.
