Going back in time, I remember when the use of a cone/line in turn 4 came about. The whole intention was to give a "reference" point to where the front row would begin picking up the throttle to lead the field to the green (start/finish line). What has evolved into "BAD" starts is a TOTAL result of lack of ENFORCEMENT. When someone back in the pack (let's say 12th spot) decided to jump as the polesetters hit that spot (cone)-decided to "JUMP" and pass before the flag stand, they were not penalized! Others had to also start racing (JUMP) in order to protect their position. (That's where all of this starting to race in Turn 3 before the Green evolved). In fact, some tracks/organizations even started waving the green when the polesetters hit the cone/line in turn 4 (Thus changing the start/finish line to Turn 4).

In regards to the "crashes" due to CLOSER starts, the driver's need to know not to hit the brakes! Just keep on the gas and lead 'em around through turns 1 & 2-slow down (in case of yellow/no start) coming out of turn 2/backstretch. The results of better starts will produce even closer/wheel to wheel racing! Instead of what we now see....follow the leader (train style) racin' even before lap 1 is complete!

Driver's can also enforce each other. I remember Sheldon Kinser back in the
70's... at the start of a USAC Heat Race, the pole setter was playing games..hit the gas..check-up..hit the gas, which caused the field to bunch up, etc. In the process, someone starting behind Sheldon was not paying attention and jumped over Sheldon's right rear taking Sheldon out of the race. When Sheldon walked back into the pit area, he only wanted to know two things..#1 Who was the "idiot" playing games up front and #2 Who was the "goon" that ran over him? Sheldon paid both of these racers a "visit" and the "long arm of the law" (Sheldon had fairly long arms) prevailed! Interesting enough, I never saw these two racers ever screw up like that again! The whole issue of good/clean starts boils down to ENFORCEMENT of the rule! That's all it takes! :checkered: