NASCAR: " State of the Sport "

[Don]

Ron:

Regarding tires, your post matches the NASCAR published summary that was initially included regarding 2008 Competition changes, different words but same intent. Still appears to be a Safety related change

"Outside tires that have been removed from a vehicle during a pit stop can no longer be free-rolled from the outside of the pit box to the wall. The tires must be hand-directed to the inner half of the pit box before being released."

[Ron61]

Don,

The way I read that the carrier has to have his hands on the tire, whether carrying or rolling it until he gets to the middle of the car. So that is going to slow the stops a little but will be safer. However with NASCARs record of enforcing rules one way this time and another way the next time, I wonder how much confusion and ticked off people they will have.
I saw on the NASCAR site this morning that one of the drivers I think it was said they should get rid of the dam 35 car rule and let the fastest 43 race no matter who they are. I agree with that and would like to see the yellow flag banned.

Ron

[Don]

While the specs for each car are essentially the same, the difference the driver, set-up, tire pressure etc.etc , can make, discounting any change in track conditions: For Single Car runs at Daytona testing;

NASCAR.COM - Daytona test speeds - Jan 16, 2008

From the Hendrick Team, where all four cars are essentially the same:

Earnhardt: 185.820
Johnson: 184.782
Mears: 184.574
Gordon: 183.809

Johnson & Gordon have the same shop . During the week, each Team wears identical Hendrick shirts, not their Team sponsor shirts. On a 2.5 mile track, the speed/time difference is significant regarding track position

Interesting to note that the fastest time was 185.820 ( Earnhardt ) and the slowest was 176.856 for 56 cars tested

A common complaint, unfair competition, in the past is the rules favored one make over another regarding the aerodynamics, In the pros and cons of specs, seems to now be a non-issue

[Ron61]

Well at least NASCAR has accomplished something. Every driver and crew chief is complaining abut the new car and the changing of tire compounds. I have to agree with that to a point. Let them get the cars sorted out so they know what is causing what before they go back to their changing of tire compounds for each race. Also a lot of complaining from the drivers about this car being slower, but if it makes for racing instead of just those high speed parades, then I am all for it.

Ron

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by Don

While the specs for each car are essentially the same, the difference the driver, set-up, tire pressure etc.etc , can make, discounting any change in track conditions: For Single Car runs at Daytona testing;

NASCAR.COM - Daytona test speeds - Jan 16, 2008

From the Hendrick Team, where all four cars are essentially the same:

Earnhardt: 185.820
Johnson: 184.782
Mears: 184.574
Gordon: 183.809

Johnson & Gordon have the same shop . During the week, each Team wears identical Hendrick shirts, not their Team sponsor shirts. On a 2.5 mile track, the speed/time difference is significant regarding track position

Interesting to note that the fastest time was 185.820 ( Earnhardt ) and the slowest was 176.856 for 56 cars tested

A common complaint, unfair competition, in the past is the rules favored one make over another regarding the aerodynamics, In the pros and cons of specs, seems to now be a non-issue

That is why I don't like a Nascar mandated car. Make the car be the same shape as the real production car Then it puts the burden on the Car Manufacturers to make a better car for racing (the public also benefits from this). I also don't like the "all chevys run impalla, fords run fusion, etc..." If one team like the Monte Carlo over the impalla and they build a car that meets the body lines of the production car, let it race.

[Wayne Maybury]

Originally Posted by Don

A common complaint, unfair competition, in the past is the rules favored one make over another regarding the aerodynamics, In the pros and cons of specs, seems to now be a non-issue

Exactly, they are spec race cars with different names on the front. It is turning into a joke, instead of being a world class race series. It is becoming the WWE of motor racing which is called "Sports Entertainment".

Each manufacturer should be obliged to design and build their own race cars based on their street cars (they are called stock cars for heaven's sake), there should be a weight limit, engine displacement limit, carb limit etc. There should be a full set of safety rules, a limit on yellow flag pit stops, a virtual elimination of unnecessary yellow flag laps, no more lucky dog rule, and then make them run. I think that true race fans would appreciate this form of racing much more than the 190 lap parade followed by a 5 or 10 lap sprint to the finish, that we now see.

Wayne

[Don]

AutoWeek update, including comments from drivers, owners etc such as below from Kyle Petty:

"Owner/driver Kyle Petty: “I ain’t gonna talk about last year ’cause it don’t mean a freaking thing. It doesn’t make any difference in what happens this year. Everything should be about this year, not last year."


NASCAR media tour: Rusty Wallace opens up - AutoWeek Magazine

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Wayne Maybury

Exactly, they are spec race cars with different names on the front. It is turning into a joke, instead of being a world class race series. It is becoming the WWE of motor racing which is called "Sports Entertainment".

Each manufacturer should be obliged to design and build their own race cars based on their street cars (they are called stock cars for heaven's sake), there should be a weight limit, engine displacement limit, carb limit etc. There should be a full set of safety rules, a limit on yellow flag pit stops, a virtual elimination of unnecessary yellow flag laps, no more lucky dog rule, and then make them run. I think that true race fans would appreciate this form of racing much more than the 190 lap parade followed by a 5 or 10 lap sprint to the finish, that we now see.

Wayne

I could not agree more Wayne. It's no longer true racing, it's an orchastrated entertainment show.

France could have wrapped up the state of NASCAR with one word. "Boring".