Jun 2nd, 2010 by T.C.
After two weeks at home in Charlotte, teams once again hit the road this week. The Truck Series is in the Lone Star State to take on Texas Motor Speedway, the Nationwide cars make their second trip to Nashville Superspeedway, and the Cup cars are in Pennsylvania to take on the Tricky Triangle of Pocono. Before the weekend arrives, we’ve got the 77th edition of ATIW. If you don’t know what this post is, we answer any and all reader questions every Wednesday, right here. So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us. On to the questions…
1. From Bob:
With last weeks question about shops, cars and tracks it got me thinking. Furniture Row is based in Denver, Colorado. Do they do all their work there or do they have a facility close to Charlotte? I know they have an alliance with Childress for engines. It seems like they would be at a significant disadvantage with distances between Colorado and most tracks. I do love the fact that they are the only Western based team!
Furniture Row actually gets just chassis from Childress. Their engines come from Hendrick Motorsports. I know in the past they used a little bit of space at an existing race shop to help with logistics, but I don’t believe they do that anymore. Between their own trucks, and the trucks used for the furniture stores, they are able to get everything they need out to Denver. – T.C.
2. From Steve:
On double file restarts, given how much drivers complain about being stuck in the bad line, any chance that NASCAR would adopt a policy of letting the cars pick where they wanted to line up? For example, the leader would pick his lane, the second driver would have the choice of lining up next to the leader or behind the leader, the next driver would have the choice of lining up behind the 2nd place driver or in the open spot next to the leader and so on. It would introduce another element of strategy – how far back do you start in the good line v starting further up in the so-called bad line? it would also allow crews to better adjust their car if they knew they were going to start inside or outside. Dreaming on my part?
I’m sorry to say I think you’re dreaming. It would certainly set up more opportunities for strategy (in regards to where you start), but it wouldn’t allow for a change in adjustments – teams make adjustments to make the car run as fast as possible, not to run the high or low side. I think ultimately it would make things a little too complicated on restarts. – Journo
3. From Christopher:
I’ve noticed some strange things at the bottom of the qualifiers in the final lineup. Take the Coca Cola 600. Greg Biffle did terrible and had to get in on owners points. JJ Yeley was the last person to qualify on time and did better than Biffle. Yet, Yeley’s 46 car was placed behind Biffle. Actually, Yeley was placed behind a few people he qualified better than. (I don’t mean dropping to the back because of a car change, etc. I mean it was listed this way right after qualifying and is the official starting order) What gives?
NASCAR determines the starting field through the 42nd starting position. It’s a combination of the top-35, where they qualify, and the top seven go-or-go-home drivers. The 43rd starting spot is reserved for the past champion, and if there is no need for the past champion to use it then it goes to the eighth fastest go-or-go-home driver, which in this case was JJ Yeley. – Journo
4. From Michael:
Just wondering why Charlotte Motor Speedway didn’t have any racing action (practice / qualifying) this past Friday. Seemed a little strange, but I’m sure there’s a reason. Thanks.
I’m not sure if this is the exact reason for it, but the Speedway hosts the World of Outlaw Sprint Cars at the Dirt Track across the street that night. I would imagine they are trying to minimize the amount of traffic, but have the maximum number of events. It could also be a case of that’s what they’ve always done. Sorry I don’t have a better answer. – Journo
5. From Steve T:
Is there any particular reason the fuel pickup can’t be moved to the left side of the tank ? Seems like it could make life a bit easier on restarts when everyone is low on fuel.
The pickup in the fuel cell is on the right side because of the centripetal force on the fuel while the car is on track. High speed and constant turning forces the fuel to the right side of the cell. If the pickup were on the left side, when the car went into the corner, the engine would stall because of lack of fuel. That’s why when a car is low on fuel under caution on a high banked track, the driver will bring the car to the apron of the track. That helps to keep the fuel from running to the left side, away from the pickup. – T.C.
6. From Kyle:
Do you guys have any inside info on Prism Motorsports? We all know its owned (partially) by Phil Parson (who formerly owned MSRP in Nationwide which now appears to be Humphrey-D’Hondt) and we also know they have ties to Michael Waltrip Racing, but what is their goal in NASCAR? It doesn’t appear as if they are trying to find sponsorship. They dont have even have a website, and they do absolutely no press at the track. What exactly does Michael Waltrip get out of this relationship (besides occasionally driving the 55)? Is there something we dont know about? They do occasionally steal a top 5 in qualifying. But supposedly their cars couldn’t possibly run the whole race based on how they are set up. How does NASCAR feel about one of their broadcasters starting and parking 2 cars in their premier series? Do people in the garage have a problem with this?
It’s very well known and understood through the garage that Phil Parsons and Randy Humphrey are at the track to make money. They’re there to win prize money. They aren’t actively looking for sponsors, because they neither want nor need them. I can’t say beyond sketchy rumors what Michael Waltrip gets out of the relationship, but I can say what you’ve probably read online is what I’ve heard. As far as NASCAR goes, it certainly sets up an uncomfortable situation for them, but they’ve maintained an atmosphere that allows this practice to continue. They don’t like it, but they don’t seem willing to make any serious offensive against it. – Journo
7. From Allen:
How is Biffle’s crew member doing after being whacked by Stewart’s car? Only heard he was taken to a hospital, no updates on injuries if any.
Heard today that Kevin McDowell does not have any broken bones, but has quite a bit of swelling. His availability for this weekend at Pocono is a big question mark for the team. We’ve also heard that Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle’s crew chief Greg Erwin may have had a bit of a confrontation after the race about McDowell getting hit. – T.C.
8. From Steve:
In the post-race comments, Kurt Busch and Addington made references to taking tires from the 77 because they ‘matched’. Please elaborate on what they are talking about. Aren’t tires from Goodyear tires from Goodyear?
They were probably referring to the tires’ stagger. Stagger refers to the difference in circumference between the right side and left side tires. Even though tires are all manufactured the same, there will be differences. Teams will measure all of their tires and then place them in sets based on the staggers. If the #2 team was getting tires from the #77 team, I’m guessing it’s because the #77 had tires that would give their sets the stagger numbers they were looking for. – T.C.
9. From bb:
In you recent post about Red Bull, you refer to the teams’ “extravagance”. Could you please elaborate? It would seem that things in a team that is essentially its own sponsor could be a fair bit different than the others. Thanks, and please continue your very interesting and informative posts!
Certainly. Red Bull is one of the better paying employers in the sport – in some cases by quite a bit. They employ several full-time pit crew members, something that is unheard of at any other team, and they pay them well. They have PR people who don’t really do any writing (there are people back in Mooresville who do that), and they have a motorhome that travels to races just for PR people and team executives. They also have a very fashionable crew, all of which are required to be decked out in Red Bull logos (down to their shoes and belts) while at the track. Now I’m sure they get a good bit of the apparel for free, but I’d bet not all of it is. Those are some things off the top of my head. – Journo
10. From Dan:
How many gas cans are allowed by NASCAR in the pit stalls at one time? Are there always 2 full ones ready and waiting at all times?
I can’t find a specific rule in the rulebook pertaining to a limit on gas cans, but most teams have 3-4 cans in their stall during the race. That allows for two cans to be available while the others are being refilled after a stop. – T.C.
And that brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. And remember, if you’d like to be a part of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!
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