DARLINGTON, S.C. -- NASCAR is not likely to make any drastic changes to the championship points system, instead focusing on alterations to the cars.

Since NASCAR adopted common templates this year, drivers have complained that passing is nearly impossible and the competition is too even.

By fixing that -- perhaps by reducing rear spoilers by a half inch next season, thus cutting down on downforce -- NASCAR officials said Sunday it would help even out the current points system.

"Both problems are tied together, and an aerodynamic reduction program is one step toward fixing both issues," Winston Cup director John Darby said.

NASCAR has been toying with different ways to change the points system, ranging from awarding extra bonuses for victories and poles and changing the way points are given to cars finishing at the back of the pack.

But every formula under consideration has been applied to the past 10 years final point standings, and NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said the champion never changed.

Plus, talk of making changes is insulting to current points leader Matt Kenseth, who has built a tremendous lead through consistency and just one victory this season.

"It is totally unfair to Matt Kenseth and that team, who have race by race put together a very strong year," Hunter said Sunday. "So we've got to fix the cars, not the points system, and figure out a process that allows us to put the competition in

NASCAR is still considering awarding extra points for victories and poles, but Hunter said changes to the way points are given to the back of the field will likely not change.

Ooops, wrong button
Ryan Newman seemed headed for his sixth victory of the year when he accidentally hit the kill switch in his No. 12 Dodge during a pit stop.

Newman, who led five times for a race-high 120 laps of the Southern 500, was the leader when the field pitted under caution on lap 230. He somehow hit the button on his steering wheel that shuts down the car's power, and was unable to restart his Dodge.

"That really killed us," Newman said. "It's a shame because I thought we had the car to beat. I just made a mistake."

His Penske Racing crew tried frantically several times to push him to a rolling start, but failed every time as the rest of the field continued to circle the track and lap Newman.

His frustration mounting, Newman angrily called on NASCAR to send a cart to push him, but crew chief Matt Borland warned him that wasn't going to happen.

"Ryan, get off the radio," Borland ordered. "NASCAR is not going to send you a cart."

By the time Newman regained power and got back on the track, he had fallen eight laps down and finished 23rd. He was also treated with oxygen after inhaling carbon monoxide.

NASCAR said giving Newman a push to help him restart was not an option.

"It is real difficult for us to help a competitor continue competition," Winston Cup director John Darby said. "It would be similar to one of my officials changing a tire."

Out of sight
Five-time Southern 500 winner Jeff Gordon had his day shortened when Casey Mears hit him as he attempted to lap the rookie, drawing a furious reaction from Gordon.

Gordon, the defending race winner, was trying to pass on the outside when Mears drifted up into the side of the No. 24 Chevrolet. It triggered a six-car accident and drew curt comments from Gordon directed at Mears' spotter.

"Casey Mears is a good friend of mine, but he needs a spotter," Gordon said. "I don't know what he was thinking. He was a lapped car and he turned right, right into me. I don't know if the spotter didn't say anything to him or if he even knew I was there."

Mears was clearly dejected as he sat and watched his team try to fix his No. 41 Dodge, and insisted his spotter never told him Gordon was running next to him.

"I had no idea he was there, and then boom, I hit him," Mears said.

Car owner Chip Ganassi said Gordon needed to get over it, pointing out that his team never complained when Gordon knocked driver Sterling Marlin out of two races earlier this season.

"Please tell me his legacy to the sport in the latter years of his career is not whining about crashing out of 21st place," Ganassi said.

It's been a tough four-race stretch for Gordon, a four-time Winston Cup champion who has seen his shot at another title slip away this month.

He ran out of gas and wrecked on the final lap at Watkins Glen, had mechanical problems in Michigan, and wrecked out of Bristol last weekend. He ended up 32nd on Sunday and dropped to fifth in the points.

"It's been a rough month ... it's beyond frustrating," he said. "I can't wait to get August over with and get to September."

Rising star
Rookie Jamie McMurray battled the flu all weekend, then mastered tough Darlington Raceway for a fourth-place finish.

McMurray now has three top-five finishes in the past five races.

"It was a very tiring race, especially after having the flu," said McMurray, who led once for 21 laps. "When your car is good, it makes you have a lot more drive."

The sweltering Darlington heat made it a difficult race for the weary McMurray.

"They kept giving me little bottles of ice cold water and I'd just drink the whole thing," he said. "I wasn't even thirsty, but I just kept drinking it."

Celebrity visitors
Comedian David Spade, motocross star Carey Hart, actress Michelle Rodriguez and popular band Smashmouth were all visitors to the final Southern 500 run on Labor Day weekend.

Hart did jumps on his bike before the race on the frontstretch, and spent time with driver Jeremy Mayfield doing stunts the day before.

"He's crazy, man," Mayfield said. "I'd never try some of the stuff he does."

Smashmouth performed about seven songs before the race, and Spade, well, he just told jokes about his first-ever NASCAR experience.

"We went to Shoney's, hit all the hot spots. Hardee's was just too happening," he said. "I hung out with Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr., then we went up on Tony's camper and cooked some biscuits."

Spade also went for a lap around the track with Wally Dallenbach, a former driver and current NBC commentator.

"I didn't know who he was, so I was like 'My life is in your hands ... and you are?" said Spade. "Then we hit the wall about six times."