anybody else find daytona... well... BORING?

[Excaliber]

I thought it was interesting in that the GM, Dodge and Ford guys seemed to work together to keep the Toyota guys from getting to the front.

[VRM]

As far as I am concerned the racing season does not start until the first GT car rolls off at Sebring.

Steve

[Ron61]

One thing that I did notice was that these cars don't seem to spin out as easily as the old ones did. I saw a lot of them get the rear end loose and not lose it. The total lead changes was misleading because most of them were between the same 5 or 6 cars. Also less caution flags. A great improvement.
However, and they never did give an explanation of why, they cut the race off here at lap 12 or 13 and put a sign up that said Sorry For The Interruption, Don't Call Us, This station is temporarily unavailable. Then at lap 84 they came back on. I do believe as they learn more about these cars the racing will be better than it has been the past few years.

Ron

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by Ron61

One thing that I did notice was that these cars don't seem to spin out as easily as the old ones did. I saw a lot of them get the rear end loose and not lose it. The total lead changes was misleading because most of them were between the same 5 or 6 cars. Also less caution flags. A great improvement.
However, and they never did give an explanation of why, they cut the race off here at lap 12 or 13 and put a sign up that said Sorry For The Interruption, Don't Call Us, This station is temporarily unavailable. Then at lap 84 they came back on. I do believe as they learn more about these cars the racing will be better than it has been the past few years.

Ron

We didn't have the cut off problem here. We got to see the whole race. The lead changes were mostly between just a few cars, but it was not a follow the leader race. They were passing each other back and forth.

[rdorman]

[quote=Ron61;816358]One thing that I did notice was that these cars don't seem to spin out as easily as the old ones did. I saw a lot of them get the rear end loose and not lose it. [quote]

Bingo. Some of the changes where safety minded, some competition. Look at the front and rear (heck even sides) of new versus old. Notice that the area where the cars contact each other are all perpendicular to the ground and the same height? The front splitter/wing arrangement helps out with this. Also the rear wing creates a less turbulent allowing the trailing car to manuver better (read 'pass'). There are many, many more changes in the cars.


Most Different Leaders, Single Race....................... (18) (2006)
Fewest Different Leaders, Single Race....................... (3) (1972)
Most Lead Changes, Single Race....................... (60) (1974)

This year, 42 lead changes among 16 drivers. Remember, they only count the leader, and hence the change as they go over the line. Some laps seemed like a dozen lead changes in one lap. This is the second highest since 18 in 2006 and 49 in 2001. I was inpressed by the low number of cautions and laps, the ability to maintain control of the cars once they where out of shape and the increased ability to do some serious rubbing.

With that said, I did not watch the first half. Generally don't. To long for my tastes. I prefer the short sprint races/qualifying. But, I think Nascar is on the right track with this car. Not really record shattering but a nice change.

[Ron61]

I also like the foam and other padding they put in the sides. It not only absorbs impact, but when they scrape the wall the side of the car stays straight. And the making the front and rear so when you bump anyone from behind they are the same height was a good idea too. That keeps the car that is being hit from having the rear wheels lifted off the track, hence they can maintain more control. A lot of good things about the new car, and some minor things that will show up and can and will be improved on.
Now if they would do away with that top 35 in points rule and just let the fastest 43 qualifiers race, I think that would make it better.

Ron

[rdorman]

I liked the foam idea as well. There are many other changes to, taller and wider cage, left suspension moved out, driveshaft totally encased in the case (a tube) so it stays with the car, smaller tanks, etc, etc. Like any sport, it is a work in progress but sitting in the stands, I like what I see so far. Not my personal favorite form of racing but I did enough watching the last part of the race.

[wtm442]

There was a race yesterday?

Winston Cup? Or Nextel Cup? Or Busch 'n Sprint Cup? Indy League with CART on the side? Maybe Hooters Cup?

I went for a ride. Too bad it wasn't in a Cobra.

[Ron61]

I agree with you about the work in progress and they have done some darn good things. Actually my favorite type of racing is road racing or the old Trans Am series. I also like the Le Mans series racing.
It is also nice that these cars don't just fly all to pieces every time they get bumped and litter the track half way around. I saw some take some pretty good shots and not even a piece fell off. It is amazing at what that small end piece on the wing does to stabilize the cars from spinning.

Ron