2015 NASCAR Thread - And then there was 1

  • Thread starter Jahgee
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Cale
112 caution laps today.
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There was one caution that went on forever. I think they put down speedy-dry around the entire track, then ran over it with the street-sweeper, then blew away the rest with the jet dryer. I don't remember specifically what brought out that long caution (there were 16 total cautions), but I remember thinking at the time that the cleanup seemed quite excessive considering the nature of the accident that caused it.
 
JMoney
I loved his daddy but Dale Jr's racing styling is completely different. It's almost boring, I mean when was the last time, if ever, Junior had a dispute with another driver? I can't think of one. And I still can't understand why he holds his steering wheel weird, with his hands at 11 and 12.
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My Grandpa was probably the biggest Dale Sr. fan this side of the Mississippi and naturally, when he died he was a Jr. fan. I never really warmed up to Junior too much. Yes, his racing style and personality is completely different. Can't even compare the two. Although I am not an 88 fan, I want to see him do good even though I don't cheer for him. I think the worst thing anyone can possibly feel is inadequacy. I like the fact that Dale Jr has never attempted to fill his Dad's shoes or attempted to be the same person/racer. He will always be the most popular driver by default. I bet he doesn't even want it. As annoying as Jr fans are, I can see why they like him.
 
RVDNuT374
Boring as it may be, we will no longer have to watch a cluster:censored: of drivers waiting at the end of pit road for the "right time" to enter the track.
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Now we get to watch as NASCAR determines when it's the right time for a car to enter the track. They'll probably screw that up as well.
 
GTPorsche
Boring qualifying returns. All because drivers can't figure out how to qualify properly.
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No, the problem is that they all figured out how to qualify properly. The problem is that everyone wanted to be on the tail of an eight car draft, and no one wanted to lead it. This led to everyone waiting on pit road, hoping that someone else was stupid enough to go out first. Very few people were willing to throw away their chance at the pole for the good of everyone else.

Something needed to be changed, as group qualifying was never really going to work at the restrictor plate tracks.
 
MustangRyan
No, the problem is that they all figured out how to qualify properly. The problem is that everyone wanted to be on the tail of an eight car draft, and no one wanted to lead it. This led to everyone waiting on pit road, hoping that someone else was stupid enough to go out first. Very few people were willing to throw away their chance at the pole for the good of everyone else.

Something needed to be changed, as group qualifying was never really going to work at the restrictor plate tracks.
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One of the major issues was cars slowing down on the track... which is not how qualifying works. That's all on the drivers.
 
GTPorsche
One of the major issues was cars slowing down on the track... which is not how qualifying works. That's all on the drivers.
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That was one of the biggest problems by a mile. Drivers were more willing to be moving chicanes and willing to wreck their (and their competitor's) cars than accept the fact that they might not get the pole due to going out early.
 
cnd01
I know it's incredibly unsafe, but how about we take the plates off and run single car laps
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Rusty Wallace did it once in a test session in the Gen-4 car around 2003 or 2004. He felt it was too unsafe for even a single car to do it. Both tracks have since been repaved but I don't think the Goodyear tires could handle the forces involved in the higher speeds.
 
GTPorsche
Rusty Wallace did it once in a test session in the Gen-4 car around 2003 or 2004. He felt it was too unsafe for even a single car to do it. Both tracks have since been repaved but I don't think the Goodyear tires could handle the forces involved in the higher speeds.
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The last thing needed is a car in the 5th row even during qualifying.
 
There is no need for restrictor plates at all. You could change the gearing in the cars for them to max out at a safe speed and eliminate the draft for good. NASCAR wants someone to get hurt.
 
I've said it before. The super speedway brake package is extremely sub par compared to say, the Martinsville brake package. Put better brakes on them uncork them and limit gearing. No more restrictor plate. Easy. Too complicated for NASCAR and the likelihood of the big one would diminish significantly.
 
They run the smallest brakes possible because they don't ever need brakes. Which is partially why those big wrecks occur. Why NASCAR doesn't mandate a specific brake size for the entire season...
 
I'm aware of why they use that package. It's dumb and it's unlikely they will do anything about it until someone dies again. They have options. They aren't interested.
 
If NASCAR would increase the tire size it would be easier for a better brake package and people could stop quick enough
 
cnd01
If NASCAR would increase the tire size it would be easier for a better brake package and people could stop quick enough
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They can fit better brakes in the 15" rims they use they just don't at any racetrack but the short tracks.


Still no results from the tire confiscations at Fontana for the 4, 41, 31 and 27. Speculation is that they have been using an unapproved process to regulate air pressure in the tires. After all these confiscations, they have to have some sort of reasonable suspicion and in which case, would be huge.
 
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Blood Eagle
There is no need for restrictor plates at all. You could change the gearing in the cars for them to max out at a safe speed and eliminate the draft for good. NASCAR wants someone to get hurt.
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Or you could get rid of all that aero crap and raise them up about 5 inches, you know...like stock cars. Trust me, you wouldn't need restrictor plates. Of course, most the field would have to learn how to drive race cars then, down shifting, braking into corners...stuff like that.
 
Dale Jr got the loudest ovation, obviously.

Hamlin got a loud reaction, but it was mixed. There were apparently some people at the track that weren't fans of his. Of course, most of the crowd probably traveled up from NC, like I did. A Richmond crowd would probably give a better indication of his home-town popularity.

Gordon's reaction was pretty positive overall. I think those that disliked him in his early days have either softened up to him over time (especially since Dale Sr's death), or have moved on from NASCAR.
 

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