I don't like it, but I guess it makes for great TV or In Person viewing.

From Wikepedia

NASCAR
NASCAR's NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series currently uses restrictor plates at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR routinely states that the NEXTEL Cup restrictor plate reduces engine power from approximately 750 hp to approximately 430 hp.
The device limits the power output of the motor, hence slowing both the acceleration and the overall top speed obtainable on the tracks where the cars are so equipped. These restrictions are supposedly in the interest of driver and fan safety, although many members of both of these groups feel that the close packing of cars and their inability to achieve separation may actually make the racing at these tracks more dangerous, as there are often massive and frightening multi-car pileups during races (especially at Talladega). Such a crash is dubbed "the Big One" by drivers and fans. At Talladega, most races are marred by at least one occurrence of such as the large packs rarely break up for very long (at Daytona such occurs less frequently, and usually just after restarts, due to the greater importance of handling that breaks the packs somewhat more). It certainly makes for a different style of racing at these events than that which occurs at the other speedways used by NASCAR, as reduced power makes it more difficult to pass other drivers. These large packs also reduce air resistance, making drafting easier.

[edit] Reason for restrictor plates
There have been three reasons that NASCAR used restrictor plates in its history.
The first use came in 1971 as part of NASCAR's plans to reduce the size of engines from 427 cubic inches (7.0 L) to 358 cubic inches (5.7 L). In order to allow teams with smaller budgets to race the larger engines, NASCAR made mandatory the use of a restrictor plate to be placed on larger engines to equalize performance with smaller engines. The transition ended in 1974, when NASCAR banned the larger engines, and went to the current 358 cubic inch (5.7 L) formula. This was a transitional process and, as not every car used restrictor plates, this is not what most fans call "restrictor plate racing."
The second use came following the terrifying crash of Bobby Allison at the 1987 Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Allison's Buick Regal flew tail-first into catchfencing early in the event, injuring spectators (although not actually entering into the grandstands). After a summer where the two subsequent superspeedway races were run with aids to prevent cars from flying, and smaller carburetors (390 cubic feet per minute instead of 750 cubic feet per minute) proved to be inadequate to sufficiently slow the cars, NASCAR imposed restrictor plates again, this time at the two fastest circuits, both superspeedways: Daytona for all NASCAR-sanctioned races and [URL=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talladega_Superspeedway]Talladega[/l

 

another good link against restrictor plates:

http://insiderracingnews.com/AM/102406.html

I think that unrestricted, durable, smaller V-8 engines is a good possibility.

 

i think that if they didn't have the restrictor plates the cars would be driving away from eachother which would make the race a little more boring if they're so spaced out like when you go to michigan or something like that...

and also at places like daytona and telledaga they have to have them because if there wasn't restrictor plates and they were going 220 mph and got in an accident it would be a LOT worse that going 185

i personally like them..makes for a much better race and a much more competitive one..cars aren't winning by a lap like they would back in the 60's and 70's
did you watch that thing before the race on the history where 2 cars would get in an accident on the last lap, spin around and still be able to finish before anyone else did..
that would never happen now and i think it makes for more of an interesting race

 

I think the restrictor plate and a lot of the rules defeat the purpose of racing in it's fundamental form. IMHO the true intent of racing is to just go faster than the next guy. There are too many rules that are different for each manufacturer, ford whines and gets something better than everyone else or take away something from someone else. Then chrysler does it, and on occasion a gm driver will also but never the the extent of other makes. I think if they want to slow the cars down at Daytona and Talledega instead of using restrictor plates and making the cost of a quality race motor going up, make them run a V6 and see what they can do with it. After all it wasn't that long ago that the Busch series ran V6's. If it is what the manufacturers give us (with some exceptions) then it should be good enough to race race. Get back to real racing. If you can build it let it run the way you built it. I remember when the monte came back in 95, Rusty Wallace and many ford drivers were complaining about the Thunderbird and wanted thr rules changed so they could compete better, Mark Martin said instead of complaining "Ford NEEDS to build a better car to run with the Monte."
Nobody's done it yet, I guess GM's decision to run the Impala is their way of telling Ford, Chrysler and now Toyota to sit down and STFU

Just my opinion

 

its not real racing in my opinion.....but it sure is fun to watch

unfortunately restrictor plates at talladega and daytona are necessary.....there is no question that they have to stay....230 mph is too fast in a stock car

 

I don't like them but I think they are necessary

 

x2

 

I agree I don't care for them but let's face it
with out them they'd be running well over 200+ mph at the "super speedways"
and that's just not safe for the drivers or the fans

DINO KY

 

I don't understand. Funny Cars go over 300 miles per hour inside similiarly caged cars. And the top fuel guys have even less protection. Thoseguysrace closer to the fans thanstock cars and with more volitile fuel.Themodern stock car is pretty damn safe and can be made even safer. I think restrictor plates are just to keep the richer and more technological teams even with the rest and to generate all-around revenue from TV sponsors and more. They should try going with unrestricted 5.0 engines on the 2 superspeedways.

 

exactly ....it makes it more of an interesting race...if there was no restrictor plates there would be a group of cars (the high up teams) that have like a 5 lap lead on the rest of the field...so they restrict this to make it more interesting...personally i love it!