2014 NASCAR Thread

[GTPorsche]

Previously they had taken tires that had different valve stems of something... not really 100% sure on it. I think they've been following up for the last couple races just to see if they catch anything.

 

[Carbonox]

I think Sam should have went back to IndyCar when he had a chance, now he is just doomed to ride around in the middle of the field. I was also unimpressed by his Nationwide stats, someone with his talent and top level equipment should have easily won the title last year.

I don't think he will. He wasn't particularly good on road courses, which currently make up the vast majority of tracks in the IndyCar schedule. Wasn't the decreasing number of ovals the reason for his departure in the first place?

 

[Northstar]

He wasn't particularly good on road courses, which currently make up the vast majority of tracks in the IndyCar schedule.

He finished in the top-10 for 2/3 road course races in 2006 and 3/5 in 2007, so while he wasn't the greatest he wasn't terrible. I think if he had given it another season or two he would have regularly competed on them (he competed for 5 years in an all-oval series, so it's only expected that he would be a little rusty on them).

Wasn't the decreasing number of ovals the reason for his departure in the first place?

He says that he just felt he didn't have anything left to accomplish in the series so he wanted to switch to NASCAR. Granted I think the direction away from ovals as well as the uncertainty over sponsorship also played parts.

He also had a standing offer from Ganassi for 2014 replacing Franchitti, but chose to race part-time with JGR instead.

 

[Blood Eagle]

7 minutes into Sprint Cup Qualifying and all of the top 10 cars have broken the previous track record. NASCAR, great call on the new rules

*edit* Make that the top 15 now

*edit 2* Session one over. 21 cars broke it. Even Danica lol.

 

[Cale]

7 minutes into Sprint Cup Qualifying and all of the top 10 cars have broken the previous track record. NASCAR, great call on the new rules

*edit* Make that the top 15 now

*edit 2* Session one over. 21 cars broke it. Even Danica lol.

Why's that a problem?

 

[Blood Eagle]

Why's that a problem?

I didn't say that. What I'm saying is, Cup Cars are finally fast again and NASCAR wants to ruin it with their 2015 rules. The previous record was set just last year and it just got smashed by 21 cars.

 

[Gerarghini]

So apparently Trevor Bayne in Roush Equipment wasn't even able to qualify for the race.

 

[Blood Eagle]

I like Bayne but not so much Jack Roush and my god, they have been on a downward spiral.

 

[GTPorsche]

38th fastest in qualifying and no owners points in a car on it's first attempt will do that I guess.

 

[cnd01]

I didn't say that. What I'm saying is, Cup Cars are finally fast again and NASCAR wants to ruin it with their 2015 rules. The previous record was set just last year and it just got smashed by 21 cars.

I'd rather they slow the cars down and have better racing than be just a little faster with a horrible race

 

[Blood Eagle]

How will it be better racing? The cars have 850 hp now and will have 725 per the new rules. The big guys will still beat everyone just with a slower car.

 

[RVDNuT374]

With slower speeds, the cars won't rely so heavily on aerodynamics, hopefully increasing side-by-side racing on the cookie cutter tracks. But as long as Goodyear is the tire supplier, expect the same racing we see now, just at lower speeds.

 

[cnd01]

How will it be better racing? The cars have 850 hp now and will have 725 per the new rules. The big guys will still beat everyone just with a slower car.

With the current aero configurations at the speeds they're racing at now, it is harder to pass a car meaning that you get stuck with guys not being able to pass. That's not as fun to watch

 

[Blood Eagle]

I believe the whole thing to be about the tires. Since the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow, Goodyear can't keep a tire on the car.

 

[RACECAR]

So apparently Trevor Bayne in Roush Equipment wasn't even able to qualify for the race.

There's your answer. They couldn't do crap with the three in their current lineup, what was there to expect with Trevor once he arrived?

 

[Northstar]

they have been on a downward spiral.

I think a big part of their troubles is that it's hard to get talent and sponsors when the guy running the show is getting up there in years and there really isn't a solid foundation to continue without him. Sadly, I could see Roush going the way of Yates and dying a slow death that is difficult to watch.

 

[cnd01]

With Penske doing so well, I have a feeling Roush may be headed down the drain. Very unfortunate because they're my favorite team

 

[GTPorsche]

Roush were heading down the drain years ago.. before Penske came back to Ford.

 

[Blood Eagle]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/goodyear-warns-teams-speeds-charlotte-183514797--nascar.html

Hopefully it doesn't turn into a 2008 Brickyard 400 kind of deal.

 

[Jahgee]

Nothing like a first 10 seconds pileup

 

[GTPorsche]

A Nationwide race got the green flag, and an ARCA race broke out.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

That's how you start a race with a bang.

 

[Johnny1996]

I knew there was a crash by hearing someone screaming at the TV, and I could hear it over GT6 all the way at the opposite end of the house.

Yeley was involved.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Great. It looks like Goodyear will have an impact on tonight's race as well as the Cup race tomorrow.

 

[GTPorsche]

Another ARCA moment.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Apparently half the field decided to forget how to drive. This has been quite a chaotic night so far.

 

[The Bman]

I haven't even tuned into the race, but just looking at how the leaderboard shows Chat Boat and Ross Chastain in the top 20 is enough to describe how chaotic this race has been.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Two multi-car pile ups caused by boneheaded driving is one reason for that with a couple tire issues thrown in to the equation. The only big point to note is that Ty Dillion was involved in the second pile up.

 

[GTPorsche]

Ty Dillon was the reason for the 2nd pileup.

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

Breaking news: ESPN actually covers what causes a debris caution from start to finish.