Nascar: 2010

Don · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 12:08 PM

Somewhat off topic, but also somewhat relevant to the design of the NASCAR cars. ALMS has combined the GT cars into one class for 2010. Included will be the original unique designs of Corvette, Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Jaguar, Ford, Panoz and Viper, 8 different looking cars.

Quote from Road & Track:

" It's awesome. It's what the fans want to see. They want to see cars that they recognize, cars that they can go to the dealer and buy. People have embraced ALMS racing "

Next step for NASCAR, return to unique manufacturer body styles, even though it will complicate the inspection process and the debates of old on specific Manufacturers have an unfair advantage, i.e. favoritism, regarding down force and aerodynamics, with NASCAR approving multiple design changes during the year etc . Then the fans can mention the only reason there is a win, due to the manufacturer's design. Petty's use of the high wing Superbird design lasted one year or less before being banned.

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-2010, 05:37 AM

Don,

Besides just liking road racing better, that is another big plus for the ALMS. I can look at the cars and see what they are without having to wait until I can read whatever they have painted on them. I don't think you will ever see NASCAR go back to this. To me, that is why the NASCAR so called manufacturers trophy is a joke.

Ron

Wayne Maybury · #3 (**permalink**) 03-04-2010, 05:44 AM

Don

I have said it before, I believe that NASCAR simply has far too many rules about the design of the cars. There is virtually no room for interpretation and innovation by the teams. I think that the rules should simply stick to anything to do with safety, plus minimum weight, maximum engine displacement and type (carb vs: injection, push rods vs: OHC, etc), as well as some basic rules about the dimensions of the car. Then let the teams innovate and build their cars the best way they can.

You want to run IRS instead of a live axle, go ahead and give it a try. You want an automatic transmission or a 5 or 6 speed instead of a 4 speed, go ahead. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. Eventually slower teams will pick up on the features of the faster teams and the cars will all be more or less the same until someone had a better idea then further development would take place. I realize that NASCAR will never let this happen.

Wayne

Don · #4 (**permalink**) 03-04-2010, 07:26 AM

Wayne, comments from NASCAR would indicate that FI is a good possibility within a few years. Attempting to devise, your point on rules, how to regulate, inspect, etc.

Even considering the economic times we are in, with the decreased TV viewing, track attendance, challenges attracting and retaining sponsors, advertising revenue, etc maybe there is realization the approach to the cars, race format etc needs to change.

Just as aside, NASCAR will be inspecting the start and park cars after the race, including motor tear downs and a more thorough look. Thought being there are other Teams that would run the entire race , but failed to qualify.

Don · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:10 AM

Your tax dollars at work:

The Census Bureau as one of the sponsors for Greg Biffle ?????. Was not mentioned whether for one race at Atlanta or includes other races.

Must have been the same individual that bought an ad for the US Census on the Super Bowl

Don · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:22 AM

From the Associated Press: Start & Park

" At Vegas, it was Aric Almirola in a car owned by Phoenix Racing that ducked off the track after 23 laps for what was listed as a vibration. The Team collected $79,431 for the effort "

NASCAR is trying to make it tougher on start-and-parks with a new policy of inspecting the first car out of the race that wasn't involved in an accident. It could force Teams to run longer, or, at the minimum, ensure the cars will be forced to prove they are legal and made the race fair and square "

So called complete inspections include a motor tear down to the bare block, as NASCAR hands the Team back the parts. Other Teams that do not qualify have stated their intention is to run the entire race.

Ron61 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2010, 05:56 AM

That is one of the changes I would like to see made. The start and park group just messes up the standings as they always make sure that none of the top people can finish last if they wreck early because they have already taken the last several spots.

Ron

Ron61 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 05:57 AM

Well I was happy to see Bush win, but I thought that Carl Edwards acted about as stupid as a driver can. So he was mad about being bumped in the early stages and wrecking. That was one of those close racing incidents and what he did near the end was ridiculous. BK has wrecking people by accident down to an art and a lot of drivers are just waiting to get back at him, but this was a dangerous move on Edwards part. Maybe once they get rid of that asinine wing the cars won't go airborne so fast. But all in all it was a better race than normal. Jeff Gordon sure had his problems and so did a lot of others with the tire issue. But I feel that was more of a set up problem than anything wrong with the tires.

Ron

Wayne Maybury · #9 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 06:13 AM

Some thoughts on the race yesterday.

- Some good racing, some bad wrecks.
- I thought that Kasie Kane had the best car but he got hung up during the final re-start and just didn't have a chance to catch Kurt Busch.
- Several of the Fords did very well. This is the fiest time this season that the Ford power was impressive. Are they running the new engine now?
- Almost all of the Chevies had tire problems, really strange.
- I was disappointed in the way Carl Edwards handled the situation late in the race. This was very dangerous and could have turned out much worse.
- The Edwards incident all but proves that the wing is responsible for these cars turning upside down.
- Lots and lots of empty seats at Atlanta.

Wayne