Joshua
You're not entirely wrong Kensett. There is an option in the race view that will display a car's current position rather than its number.
That's what I have done, keeping it on car number is pointless seeing as how it can change from time to time on its own. At least that's my opinion. And I really like a deep customization in games, just a little more to differentiate me from the next guy and add a little bit of my own flair. Even in small things as the car numbers.