The Mechanics Of The NASCAR Win

Most of the casual NASCAR fans assume that you must possess the fastest car to win. Often, this is very true. Both the drivers and the teams are working long hours during the week to create just the right vehicle set up to produce the fastest possible speed before they reach the track on the weekend. As has been witnessed again and again by NASCAR news affiliates, there are no guarantees. Not everyone can be the fastest, which is why teams study a multitude of strategies in order to find ways to win.
Driver David Reutimann won the 2009 Coca Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway following the decision of crew chief Rodney Childers to keep the car on the track while the lead drivers entered the pit. The race was more than half over, and precipitation was falling on the raceway. Should the rains have continued, the race would have been stopped. As such, Reutimann, and drivers Robby Gordon and Ryan Newman, chose to take their chances with the weather.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. eastern standard time, the NASCAR management stopped the race, and gave Reutimann his first ever win at the Sprint Cup. Wins due to rain-shortened events have always been accepted with a bit of wink and a nod by drivers and officials alike. For the fans, these types of wins are regarded as flukes and support for them isn't as fierce. The opinions of some fans often find an audience on NASCAR news channels. This must be balanced with the fact that NASCAR is probably the most competitive form of auto racing around. No matter how it is won, most drivers know that if it meant risking a drive in the rain, they would do it without any qualms, provided that it led to victory lane. It has become a privileged position in NASCAR news correspondents to witness the displays of amazing and winning strategies by racing teams.
A solid plan contributed to Reutimann's victory that day. His crew chief followed the weather report, and believed that it was in his driver's best interest to stay out. If the showers had stopped, and the other drivers reentered the track, then they would have went to the pit, but according to Childers and Reutimann, they would have made necessary repairs to increase automotive performance. The adjustments would have required far too much time. As a result, they would have lost their position on the track if they had pitted with the lead vehicles; therefore, Reutimann opted to wait out the weather. This approach ended up being the right one to achieve victory.
Driver Kyle Busch had maintained the lead for 173 of the 207 laps that were paced, while the winner Reutimann had just gained lead position for five laps and after holding fourteenth position at the time the precipitation began.
The NASCAR news agencies made a big deal out of Jeff Gordon's use of the same strategy to win. Gordon had used the same trick to win at Pocono in 2007. He did not have a car that could contend for the win, but his team sensed that the rain showers were immanent, and it paid off. In fact, if the rain would have come a mere five seconds later than it did, Gordon would have completed in second. Ryan Newman was in the middle of passing Gordon when NASCAR displayed the caution flag because of the rain.
It may be that the stars themselves should align to achieve a victory on the track. Factors like tire strategy and fuel mileage offer the type of strategies that can get a driver to victory without needing the fastest thing on the track.
Back in 2003, Newman and the Penske Racing team were known for using a smaller carburetor to draw out fuel mileage. At least four of his eight total wins during the 2003 season could be contributed to fuel mileage.
We have seen drivers in the past use a two-tire pit stop to gain track position late in a race, allowing them the a last chance to go for the win. Often, it has allowed the driver to make get a win.
In NASCAR, a win is a win, regardless. However the trophy reaches hi hands, a driver will be glad to accept it.

Article Source: http://www.smartfindsdirectory.com

I, like many others, am interested in the experience of NASCAR racing and keep up on NASCAR news items when I can. Writing about NASCAR offers some added dimensions.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated