NASCAR Thread.

[JohnBM01]

The NASCAR Nationwide Series reported that Mexico City will NOT be raced next year. I learned this from ESPNEWS. The race will be replaced by some American venue. Just hope it's another road course. You know, something different instead of another oval. Darrell Waltrip said on "WindTunnel with Dave Despain" once that an event like this doesn't have the sort of longevity. Now, that track's configuration suits stock cars quite well. It is a great challenge for stock cars. I wish Sprint Cup or (clears throat) the Craftsman Truck Series try out this facility.

What would be great alternative facilities? I thought of an interesting one for Nationwide- Mid-Ohio. It's called Mid-Ohio SPORTS CAR Course, but I don't think the configuration is too all out there for stock cars. A bigger (literally) challenge would be Road America or even Miller Motorsports Park. The problem with Road America would be that there's already the Milwaukee Mile to represent Wisconsin as far as NASCAR venues go. Miller Motorsports Park's outer course would keep those peeps in Nationwide busy by offering the Salt Lake City some NASCAR action. Or if they were a bit crazy, they could take on the full course that's about 0.1+ miles longer than Road America.

What do you all think? NASCAR Nationwide heads out to Canada to race on the F1 course at Le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and Sprint Cup hits Pocono. You know, the track that lots of people think is the most boring circuit even though it isn't a cookie-cutter oval...

 

[GilesGuthrie]

When Michelin pulled all its customers from the Indy race in 2005, everyone said "It's a farce", "Formula 1 is run by a bunch of idiots" etc etc. And now, after the ridiculous "16 competition cautions" race last weekend, people are saying the same of NASCAR.

Is there really nobody out there capable of saying to Tony George "Get that ****ing track resurfaced"?

 

[Metar]

I thought the problem for the Michelin runners was with the banking itself...

What's so special about the asphalt there anyway?

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I thought the problem for the Michelin runners was with the banking itself...

What's so special about the asphalt there anyway?

The banking allowed the cars to generate higher speeds at which the surface would then start tearing the tyres apart.

The Indy surface is diamond-ground, which basically means it has thousands of tiny grooves running parallel to the track edges. As you can imagine, these work like sandpaper against tyres which are travelling across them.

 

[Metar]

Sounds like an awfully expensive and awfully daft process.

It basically increases grip not by increasing the coefficient, but by making a rougher surface?

 

[TS]

The NASCAR Nationwide Series reported that Mexico City will NOT be raced next year. I learned this from ESPNEWS. The race will be replaced by some American venue. Just hope it's another road course. You know, something different instead of another oval. Darrell Waltrip said on "WindTunnel with Dave Despain" once that an event like this doesn't have the sort of longevity. Now, that track's configuration suits stock cars quite well. It is a great challenge for stock cars. I wish Sprint Cup or (clears throat) the Craftsman Truck Series try out this facility.

I really like the races there too, hopefully they'll put an equally awesome road course on the schedule to replace it. (Laguna Seca anybody?)

Is there really nobody out there capable of saying to Tony George "Get that ****ing track resurfaced"?

People probably don't want to ask because he might not do it, it's his race track, and it's not affiliated with any of NASCAR's groups (ISC and SMI) so they really can't force TG to do anything with the track.

It basically increases grip not by increasing the coefficient, but by making a rougher surface?

It also makes it a pain for the track to take rubber in from the tires, because when the Cup cars were there, the tires were graining terribly which caused the excessive wear.

 

[RACECAR]

Anyone besides me want to see these cars at Road Atlanta? Looking at this picture, its not too far from possibility:

 

[TS]

Anyone besides me want to see these cars at Road Atlanta? Looking at this picture, its not too far from possibility:

Teams have been using Road Atlanta as a track to test their road course stuff for ages now.

 

[RACECAR]

Teams have been using Road Atlanta as a track to test their road course stuff for ages now.

Well, don't you think its to go the distance and race there? I'm up for it, hell I'd even volunteer to drive around it.

 

[JohnBM01]

It's much the same way I feel about Champ Cars using Sebring for testing... though I'd be interested in an IndyCar race around the full Sebring circuit. NASCAR's raced at Road Atlanta before if I'm not mistaken. It would make a lovely road course. And the best thing for most NASCAR fans? It's in the American Southeast. There would be ONE problem, though. The Atlanta area already has a race- Atlanta Motor Speedway (which I'm a fan of) in Hampton, Georgia. Not sure if NASCAR wants two races in one metropolitan area. Of course, NASCAR can't make all of their races in the Carolinas now, can they?

 

[TS]

Well, don't you think its to go the distance and race there? I'm up for it, hell I'd even volunteer to drive around it.

Well, it's not exactly a matter of just picking a date and telling teams to race. I'm sure that if NASCAR wanted to add an event to the cup schedule, they would have to take one off, and they surely don't want to do that because they don't want to anger any track presidents and such.

But with the recent opening of a date on the Nationwide schedule (after Mexico City getting dropped) it could be a possibility for that series.

Not sure if NASCAR wants two races in one metropolitan area. Of course, NASCAR can't make all of their races in the Carolinas now, can they?

??

Last I checked, there were only 3 (4 if you count the all-star race) NASCAR races in North and South Carolina combined.

 

[nissan tuner]

I think Goodyear is failing to realize that they can't use the same tires on the new COT that they did on the old car. And they just can't get away with being lazy and making the rubber compound incredibly hard on the same tires, because then the drivers will complain about the cars not having grip (like Tony Stewart at Atlanta).

now thats just plain unacceptable in this day & age

 

[RACECAR]

Qualifying for the Nationwide series airs at 12:30, with Nascar coundown at 1:30 and the race is on at 2:30 on ESPN 2

 

[JohnBM01]

Take your pick- Nationwide at Montreal's F1 course that Nationwide has the balls to race on... or Sprint Cup at Pocono. Either way, some real drivers' tracks are on the menu this weekend. Good luck to everybody racing these two events.

 

[TS]

Fuel mileage will be the story of the Nationwide race today in Montreal, the fuel estimates are between 34 and 40 laps, the race is somewhere around 80 laps. You'll probably see alot of guys trying to win the race on a 2-stopper.

 

[RACECAR]

Fuel mileage will be the story of the Nationwide race today in Montreal, the fuel estimates are between 34 and 40 laps, the race is somewhere around 80 laps. You'll probably see alot of guys trying to win the race on a 2-stopper.

Not anymore. We will now have the first ever Nascar Nationwide series race in the rain. We are about to see The rain tires perform for the first time in Race conditions. Shall be interesting to see how NASCAR deals with this.

 

[Metar]

Why oh why will I be away when they broadcast it?

 

[-Fred-]

It's like they're racing on ice... Fun to watch for 3-4 laps but it's getting boring quick, no one wants to try and overtake.

 

[RACECAR]

It's like they're racing on ice... Fun to watch for 3-4 laps but it's getting boring quick, no one wants to try and overtake.

Do you not see Ron fellows do some overtaking along with Jacques Villeneuve and Patrick Carpantier?

 

[-Fred-]

Yes, but the ESPN feed rather stays with the American racers instead...

 

[RACECAR]

Ron Fellows is leading! I really hope one of the ringers wins.

 

[RACECAR]

Ron Fellows is leading! I really hope one of the ringers wins.

Correction: Ron Fellows wiiiiiiins! "Collapses from joy"

 

[TS]

Oh dear God, that has to be the best NASCAR race I've seen all year.

 

[Blackbird.]

They should do that more often the drivers seemed to like it according to what they said. I just feel bad for Ambrose.

 

[JohnBM01]

John-itorial: Three Cheers for NASCAR!

So FINALLY we get to see a NASCAR series implement stuff like the rain tires, windshield wiper, and the brake lights. Part of me makes me think why some of these don't even get implemented on other stock cars (at least the brake lights). What I saw was impressive. Not so much of NASCAR racing Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve, but racing it in the rain. You'd expect this in a Formula One race. However, this was an exceptional event that I saw at around 4:27 PM CDT. NASCAR road racing offers something different to my eyes and gives me something more interesting to see than seeing the same old oval racing all the time. It's that "something different" that attracts me to NASCAR. The cars were not meant to be road racing machines, but at least NASCAR makes an effort to make road racing happen. I mostly do road racing in video games, and I love road racing as a sportscar racing fan. The cars did the shimmy and shake like a belly dancer in the corners, but at least they took on this challenge with valiance and courage. NASCAR has REALLY won my respect in road racing. Road racing over the years in NASCAR seems to be more competitive and that more people are taking on this challenge without shying away from road racing.

I have more respect for NASCAR drivers as they raced on a wet road course as best as they can. People who usually stereotype that NASCAR drivers aren't real drivers needed to see these drivers drive their cars as best as they can in this wet race. I have more respect for the NASCAR regulars who raced in the wet rather than (no direspect) the drivers who don't challenge themselves to road racing. Most of you know I love Carl Edwards in addition to Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. My respect for Carl Edwards continues to grow. To be able to take on a track like this in wet conditions shows some character. It's a testament to my love of road racing for NASCAR to do road racing the way they are. The fact that there was road racing in the wet basically made my weekend.




SOMETHING I'LL ADMIT...
...I often fail to pronounce the "V" sound in "Gilleneuve." However, I'm better able to spell "Gilleneuve."



John's Debate! - Fine-Tuning For the Wet
What changes would you suggest to these stock cars to help them perform better in road racing? Do you think the CoT's could fare better at this track rather than using the old cars? Has NASCAR Nationwide's running in the rain in Montreal earned you more respect for NASCAR and NASCAR drivers? What road course event would you be interested in seeing compete in the rain? Would you be interested in seeing road racing at night in NASCAR venues? What about a night race with rainy or wet conditions? How do you evaluate this race put on by the NASCAR Nationwide Series?



I'd respond by making all cars be equipped with the windshield wipers and brake lights even in dry races. Anyone who follows road racing knows that a sunny day can turn into a rainy day. Only one side is wiped from the wipers. I don't really agree to the windshield wipers being placed on the top of the windshield rather than where you normally see these (like the #9 Subway Dodge driven by Patrick Carpentier). The windshield has to have wipers like on standard street cars and some GT race cars. NASCAR will need to have regular-style windshield wipers to allow better visibility on both sides. I also think that NASCAR should allow for tacked-on lights to be used (like in the IROC road race at night at Daytona a few years ago). This will help them to see better in dark conditions. Just have some intense lights available to see through the darkness as best as possible. Another possibility would be to make miniature headlights within some of the decaled headlights to see better. They'll have to be some of those intense lights like those Silverstar lights or anything like that.

Something I don't get is... how come NASCAR stock cars don't have molded-on side mirrors like I've seen some past rally cars for road courses? In a future post, I'll share my thoughts on "NASCAR 09" on my PS2 as I've rented it.

 

[RACECAR]

I think I have just alittle more respect for NASCAR. I thought they were gonna shy away from racing in the rain, but instead they ran it so I commend them. I also commend Goodyear for providing Tyres that worked very well despite being seven years old👍. That at least deserves a medal. Hopefully, they now will start developing much newer tyres for the wet and if they are gonna have the COTs do the race, I think they'll only fare better if they have their tyres fully devoloped, Rain or Shine. We obviously saw that the traditional car can take on the wet. Oh and guys, I think next weekend we might see a repeat of the race according to This.

 

[Earth]

Another phantom debri caution

 

[01GTP]

It was said during todays broadcast that NASCAR does not intend on using rain tires with the Cup series car of tommorow.
They will be bringing rain tires for the Watkins Glen race for the Nationwide series next week though.

 

[Earth]

It was said during todays broadcast that NASCAR does not intend on using rain tires with the Cup series car of tommorow.
They will be bringing rain tires for the Watkins Glen race for the Nationwide series next week though.

Probably because nationwide cars make about 620 horsepower, the cup cars around 800. Also the cup cars weigh more. That's probably around 20 mph more straightaway speed and with cars this heavy NASCAR probably deems it too dangerous which is probably the right call

As for this pocono race the rythem everything was ruined with the red flag, rain etc. It became almost a guessing game and I dont like that. And kudos to the right front tire changer of Mark Martin for ensuring he doesnt have a chance to win.

 

[Solid Fro]

I applaud ESPN for having some great HD shots for the race and keeping the bit rate high. Anyone else watching in HD? My cell phone pics don't do it justice:

Uuuuuueeeeerrrrraaaaaaahhhh, ffrrrooooooooooooooom.