Filed under: Car of Tomorrow, Nationwide Series, Danica Patrick, NASCAR
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Filed under: Danica Patrick, NASCAR
Now that the IndyCar season is in the books, Danica has turned her full attention to the Nationwide Series. Her start last Saturday at California kicked off a stretch run that will see her compete in every NNS race to finish out 2010. Coming into Fontana, Danica hadn’t done much outside of running in the back and creating a ton of ridiculous hype.
At the Auto Club Speedway on Saturday however, something may have changed. From a starting position of 14th (her best to date), Danica was able to run in the top-20 all day, and was looking to finish there before she was tagged in the right rear down the backstretch late in the race by James Buescher. The move appeared to be payback, and it ended Danica’s day. Now, as we head to Charlotte and the final NNS COT race of the season, was her performance a sign of things to come, or just a fluke?
For me personally, I think it would be huge if Patrick was actually showing signs of being competitive. A competitive female driver would be huge for the sport. But before I jump on the Danica bandwagon, I’ve got to see more. Remaining on the schedule are Charlotte, Gateway, Texas, Phoenix, and Homestead, all of which are tough race tracks. It would be a big step in the right direction if she could somehow find a way to do more then be a moving chicane.
Just so we are straight though, I am not naive enough to think that after just eight NNS starts, Danica has somehow figured it all out and will now become a weekly top-20 finisher. I do think she still has a ton to learn about how to actually race in NASCAR, and her incident with Buescher showed that.
What I want to see is for her to run well and be consistent during practice sessions, effectively communicate her car’s handling characteristics to Eury Jr. and Co., qualify decently, and make laps during the races without tearing up race cars. If she can do that, she just might convince me that success is possible for her.
It is no doubt a huge leap to go from open wheel to NASCAR, and Danica will definitely have a rougher go of it because she just isn’t as talented as guys like Juan Pablo Montoya and AJ Allmendinger. However, with the proper guidance, the willingness to learn, and a little luck, she just might figure it out.
What do you think?
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Filed under: NASCAR Crashes, Nationwide Series, NASCAR
Filed under: Tony Stewart, Nationwide Series, FanHouse Exclusive, IRL, Danica Patrick
Filed under: Nationwide Series, FanHouse Exclusive, IRL, Danica Patrick, NASCAR
Filed under: IRL
Another Wednesday is upon us, and with that comes another round of your questions and our attempts at answers. The Cup and NNS cars will take to the Monster Mile of Dover for the second time this season, and the Trucks are off to Sin City this weekend. 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 yankeegranny:
Read an article that said the majority of drivers who made the Chase had a background in dirt track racing. If that is so, how does it give them an advantage with the COT. After the race on Sat, Jr said they were using an experimental setup that involved a different type of spindles. What are spindals, what do they do and how could they contributed to the 34th place finish?
In order for the COT to be fast, the drivers must be able to drive it loose and off the right rear tire. What this means is that they are using not only the steering wheel to turn the car, but also the throttle. Being successful on dirt means being able to control a car with both the wheel and the throttle, as the car is in a controlled slide through the corner. COT cars aren’t much different. And spindles are part of the front suspension. They attach to the upper and lower control arms, and they are what the hub actually spins on. The design of the spindle can be changed to alter the front end geometry, which changes the handling characteristics of the car. See photos of a spindle here (the photos with a blue background are spindles). Obviously what Lance McGrew and Dale Jr. were trying with their new spindles didn’t work. – T.C.
2. From Chris F:
What race do you think that Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at?
Who says she’s going to make a Cup Series debut? Danica has a long way to go in the Nationwide Series, and in her stock car development before anyone is going to think about putting her in a Cup car. I’m not a very good prognosticator so I’ll refrain from making predictions, but unless she decides to ditch the IRL (excuse me IndyCar Series) soon, I think it’s going to be a while. – Journo
3. From Bob:
A couple of weeks back Kevin Harvick could not get slowed down enough to get into pits, and eventually popped a tire due to flatspotting. Was just wondering, would anti-lock brakes be feasible on these cars? I know it’s more electonics to contend with, and maybe not worth the hassle, but it seems it would eliminate alot of tire issues due to flat spotting and possibly eliminate some accidents as well.
In most cases, a skilled driver with the proper technique can brake just as good as an ABS system could. But I believe the main reason ABS isn’t used is because of traction control. ABS systems can be utilized as a very effective traction control system. And the words “traction control” are practically four-letter words in racing. – T.C.
4. From Ray:
When fuel injection comes to pass will the restrictor plates still be used, how will they change and what type of fuel pump will be used? Mechanical may make restarting the engine difficult or impossible and electric pumps have to shut off in an accident.
I honestly don’t know a ton of details about the fuel injection system NASCAR is considering. I’m not even sure they know all the particulars yet. And I’m guessing the method of restricting the engines will probably depend on what type of fuel injection system they use. – T.C.
5. From Old School Fan:
Fox Sports reports NASCAR had to wait for the 11 & 48 shocks to cool to pass inspection. Will you explain the physics?
Neither TC nor myself are experts here. I know it has to do with the pressure built up in the gas shocks, but I couldn’t explain it to you beyond that. What you should try is Dr. Diandra at Stock Car Science – she is a physics expert and could probably much better explain this. – Journo
6. From Larry:
Love your column. You recently explained how the lug nuts are mounted and how they stay attached to the new tires during a pit stop. But what happens to the lug nuts from the tires that come off the car? I don’t see them flying around or being picked up, and I know you don’t want your driver to run over them, so where do they go during the tire change? And if they somehow stay in the wrench, how do they keep from messing up the ones that go on car?
The lug nuts drop down onto the pit stall as they are taken off. Drivers actually do run these over after stops and they become little metal projectiles that can hurt if you’re in their path (the next time you watch a pit stop on TV look for the little spark as the car leaves its stall – that’s probably a lug nut). If they’re not kicked backward, they’re usually swept up after the stop. – Journo
7. From Big John:
Hey guys, as we race fans shell out our $25 for our drivers hats or T shirts at the trailers how is the supply of hats, shirts etc that you guys can grab out of your haulers?
Crew members obviously don’t have to pay for hats and shirts, as they are our uniforms. But the supply certainly isn’t endless. We each get our allotment of clothing for the year, and that’s pretty much it. An extra shirt or hat here and there is attainable, but it’s not a free-for-all. – 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!