" What NASCAR fans can expect in 2012 "

[Ralphy]

Speed has a vote. What was the biggest moment at Daytona 2012. The jet drier has 85.49 % of the vote. Really great race huh?

What was the biggest moment of the 2012 Daytona 500?
Matt Kenseth Wins 8.8%

Jimmie Johnson Crashes 3.9%

Danica Crashes 1.8%

Montoya Lights up Daytona Sky 85.49%

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SPEED - The Motor Sports Authority

[Don]

The survey mentioned is also significant in the number of individuals, record FOX TV viewership for the 500 , that endured the Sunday rain delay, the Monday afternoon rain delay and then to watch in prime time Monday night starting @ 7:00, knowing in advance later that night at 40 laps from the finish there would be a major track event, and continuing the viewing until the late night finish, after a significant delay.

Give credit for the on-going safety improvements in the track, driver cage, greenhouse height, HANS, full face helmet, custom race seat design, moving the driver away from the door, steel panel/energy absorbing material in the drivers door, etc., ask Jeff G, Danica and others for their opinion. Mentioned that after the in car video of Danica's technique of removing her hands/arms from the steering wheel prior to the wall impact, an open wheel race car standard, more drivers than previously are now using the same technique, as JJ did in his first lap wreck

While the brand specific stock look will reappear in 2013, the greenhouse will still be higher. Believe the tallest driver is 6' 4", i.e., maintaing a potential crush zone above the drivers helmet

With sponsorship dollars still difficult to obtain, maintaining a competitive balance will continue, same as in baseball etc. Some of the teams with minimal funding had to remove their FI systems from their Daytona cars and reinstall for the Phoenix cars. For the Teams not sufficiently funded, Start and Park remains an option, NASCAR is not questioning.

Don't recall the specifics, but at Daytona the degree of banking and angle when in the corners limits/restricts the forward view, as does the full face helmet. Not the same view as watching on TV, actually looking into the corner rather than ahead. Riding around Daytona on the flat track apron and looking up, a different perspective. Believe Dale SR was a strong opponent of the full face mask as limiting his peripheral vision while racing in close proximity at 200 mph,

SPEED is televising one of the major events this summer at Lime Rock Park in CT, wonder what the US and world wide TV viewership and rating will be ?

[Don]

Vaguely remember another report mentioning the new Ford FR9 engine and technical/cost assistance by Ford and their other race teams as a contributing factor:

From AutoWeek:

" Bombshell: Penske switching from Dodge to Ford in NASCAR in 2013 "

" Penske Racing will in 2013 switch from Dodge to Ford in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition, automotive-industry sources have informed Autoweek. An official announcement is expected midday Thursday. Penske fields Dodge Chargers for Brad Keselowski and A. J. Allmendinger. "


Bombshell: Penske switching from Dodge to Ford in NASCAR in 2013 - Autoweek

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Don't recall the specifics, but at Daytona the degree of banking and angle when in the corners limits/restricts the forward view, as does the full face helmet. Not the same view as watching on TV, actually looking into the corner rather than ahead. Riding around Daytona on the flat track apron and looking up, a different perspective. Believe Dale SR was a strong opponent of the full face mask as limiting his peripheral vision while racing in close proximity at 200 mph,

I've made laps at Daytona at 160 mph, and when going in the corners, believe me, you can not see very far ahead of you because of the banking and raduis of the turns......
I would never race there without a spotter or spotters.......

David