TheNASCARInsiders.com Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Ford and Jack Roush made waves this weekend after word seeped out of the camp that the teams were directed to draft exclusively with their manufacturing counterparts. With two Roush Fords in serious contention for the championship it wasn’t a surprising edict – especially not from Jack Roush.
At the end of the race we saw what appeared to be the edict in action as Trevor Bayne gave up drafting with Jeff Gordon to draft with Matt Kenseth. The move was bad news for Gordon who ended up finishing way back in 27th. Bayne and Kenseth finished 15th and 18th.
The help kept Kenseth in contention, moving him to second in the points just 14 back from teammate Carl Edwards. And after everything, not doing damage is the most important thing at a place like Talladega.
The track serves as THE wild card race in the Chase where literally anything can happen. That uncertainty leads teams to do everything they can to control the things they can. This is why you see teams like Roush and manufacturers like Ford letting their drivers know where loyalties need to lie.
In this instance there seems to be some surprise that Bayne switched dancing partners choosing a teammate over a potentially better pairing. But it makes sense when considering what was at stake: a championship, a precarious future and a whole lot of money. Would you not have done the same?
Success in this sport involves reliance on those who are around you. That goes for the Ford teams, the Chevrolet teams, the Dodge teams and the Toyota teams. While the Roush and Ford team orders are the only ones that made the press this weekend there were no doubt similar understandings at organizations throughout the sport. Consider the other teams on track. Who was working with whom?
The Fords were with the Fords, the Chevrolets with the Chevrolets and on and on.
At superspeedways you draft with who brung ya – it’s true for EVERY manufacturer and EVERY team. While it’s unfortunate for those left out, it’s a cold hard fact.
Penske Racing is an organization on the move. As they transitioned this season into their role as the sole Dodge team in NASCAR, Penske has found success and wins. Despite their move up in the world, they are in familiar territory for race teams these days – light on sponsorship and heavy on drivers.
Sirius Speedway reported last week that Verizon Wireless was out as sponsor on Penske’s NASCAR programs and would likely transition strictly to the IndyCar Series – obviously the company is running into exclusivity issues with Cup Series title sponsor Sprint. On top of Verizon, the company is searching for a replacement to Mobil 1, which is leaving Penske at the end of the year because of a conflict with new sponsor Shell. While this leaves Sam Hornish Jr. in a bad spot, it’s Justin Allgaier who’s the real loser.
Allgaier burst onto the scene in 2008 after winning the ARCA championship for his family owned team. If you’ll remember, that was the season Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Scott Speed each ended the others shot at the Championship in the final race.
Allgaier joined Penske in the Nationwide Series full time last season. And by all accounts it’s been a good deal for ‘The Captain’ and his team. Allgaier has shown consistently why he is one of NASCAR’s future stars.
In 2008 he had three top-five finishes, 12 top-10 finishes, averaged a 16.5 and ended the season sixth in points. This season he’s been improved, scoring his first win, and raking up six top-fives and 14 top-tens. He’s fourth in the points – the highest running Nationwide only driver, and one of only five in the top-10.
With eight races to go in the season, Allgaier probably won’t win the championship, but he is well positioned for more solid finishes – maybe even another win.
Despite all that, Allgaier’s future is uncertain. If Verizon does indeed move on, and Penske doesn’t find another sponsor to fill the void, he could be out of a ride. Or if FoxSports has the story, he could lose his ride to none other than Penske teammate Sam Hornish Jr.
According to Sirius Speedway:
[Team VP of Marketing and Communications Jonathan] Gibson said the team is talking with other companies about potentially replacing Verizon next season, adding, “Our intent to continue with two Nationwide Series entries next season.” He declined to comment on reports that Algaier [sic] has been given permission to look elsewhere, but called him, “A great young driver who we would like to keep in our organization.”
That doesn’t sound to me like a team committed to keeping Allgaier in a ride. It’s frankly hard to comprehend a driver like Allgaier being in this position at all. He’s done absolutely everything he could do in the car – he’s run well, he’s won, and he hasn’t torn up much equipment. And he has great future potential.
We’ll see what happens over at Penske in the coming weeks and months, but I feel bad for this kid. He deserves to have a top-notch ride with a team that is fully committed to him (from the sound of it Penske is not). The good news is, if Penske does let him go, I have a feeling he’d land on his feet. Penske’s loss could be someone else’s gain.
And they’re off! The 2010 season is officially underway, and so is another Ask The Insiders Wednesday. 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 Ric:
Is there an ejector mechanism that ejects lug nuts out of the impact? Do lug nuts ever get stuck?
Yes, inside the impact’s socket is a spring that helps eject the lugnuts during a changer’s off pattern. And yes, they do get stuck on occasion. – T.C.
2. From Kev:
From this side of the Atlantic most of those who are aware of her view Danica Patrick as a very good racing driver – not just a very good female driver – believing that you cannot run in the company she races against unless you have a pretty good talent. But . . . she has also gained a reputation as someone prone to hissy fits – throwing her toys out of the pram when things don’t go according to her plan. Her pulling Dan Wheldon during a disagreement, something a male driver would have ended up getting hurt if he’d tried it, was well documented in the UK as was her “handbags” spat with another lady racer whose name escapes me. My question to you guys is simply am I right in thinking those sort of tantrums will receive very short shrift with the NASCAR boys? I’m thinking her acceptance by them could be won or lost in one hot tempered moment. Thanks guys – your contribution to our appreciation of NASCAR is probably greater than you realise.
First of all, let me say thanks for reading! It’s good to know we’re read on both sides of the pond. As far as Danica goes, you’re very right in your thinking. It’ll definitely be interesting to see an outburst if and when it happens. I doubt anyone will put up with it and I would guess she’ll have to deal with the consequences on the track. Everyone is certainly giving her the benefit of the doubt right now, but that can be used up very quickly. -Journo
3. From Steve:
During the 150s on Thursday, I saw guys with Home Depot firesuits crewing for someone other than Logano (don’t recall who, but it wasn’t a big name). How does that work? Are they loaned out by JGR? Are they able to free-lance when their drivers not running?
This actually happened quite a bit during the 150’s. Many of the smaller teams who aren’t sure they will make the 500 will come to Daytona without crews. They will then hire a crew for another team to pit their car. Another example is the RCR CAT guys pitting for Casey Mears and the Keyed Up team. They are able to do a little freelancing as long as JGR’s bosses approve. Some teams allow this, and some don’t. - T.C.
4. From red8814:
Hey guys! Watching Daytona right now & someone has noticed that the 43 car has the number “515″ on the front of the hood. any idea what this represents? thanks!
Just like Lowe’s does and I believe a couple of others, it’s a store number. A good and exciting way to recognize those on the ground. – Journo
5. From Jerry:
Guys I noticed Sunday when Dale jr. got in and out of his car his Hans device was attached to his helmet. Other drivers would put there helmets on in the cars. How did they hook the device up inside of the car?
A crew member will lean inside the car and hook everything up while the driver is in the car. It’s not too difficult to do. It’s just a matter of hooking the Hans’ straps to the loops in the driver’s helmet. I guess it’s just a matter of personal preference for the driver. – T.C.
6. From Michele:
Hey guys, great column! Is the ’shark fin’ only for Restrictor Plate races or all tracks? Thanks!
I believe the shark fin is only for the restrictor plate tracks (Daytona & Talladega). It makes the cars more stable in the draft, and aids in keeping the cars on the ground if they get turned around. – T.C.
7. From Eric:
Could you get someone at NASCAR to clarify the new Green-White-Checkered rule? During the Daytona 500 they restarted with 2 laps to go. Technically they could say they didn’t use the first GWC, then use 3 more after that. Now I’m sure they will say it was used, but, I am worried that they could go either way in an attempt to have a particular driver win.
The green-white-checkered rule applies to extra laps. In the 500, the first GWC was actually still in regulation, so it didn’t count towards the rule. It just so happened that the restart happened with two to go. The three GWCs then only apply after the scheduled distance has been run. And trust me, NASCAR isn’t looking to affect a race to see a particular driver win. If that were the case, the series’ most popular driver wouldn’t go winless for two years. - T.C.
8. From Mike:
I’m all for letting drivers police themselves, but do some drivers just not understand the damage they do to the NASCAR brand when they bump in the turns and cause a big crash? Do some of them forget that NASCAR claims to have the best drivers in the world (and I’m convinced, but I’ve followed to sport for decades)? Do some of them not realize that the casual “don’t regularly follow NASCAR” viewer is asking themselves “but how can they be the best in the world when they crash so much?” Maybe the question isn’t “some drivers” but rather “one driver”?
I’m not exactly sure who that “one driver” is, but I think you have to understand wrecks are going to occur. Great drivers or not, things happen when you’re doing 200 mph closely bunched up with 43 other guys. Bump drafting isn’t necessarily bad, but drivers do need to be careful. It stinks to see wrecks that take out your favorite driver, but this is just a part of racing. – Journo
9. From Steven:
Do you guys know what’s up with MSRP Motorsports? There had been tell during the offseason that they were selling their equipment and opting to turn that operation into a second Cup team (The #55), but lo-and-behold, the #90 and #91 have shown up on the entry list this week…But Eddie D’Hondt is listed as the owner of the #90 car. Did he buy the remaining assets of the team, or something? And if so, why is Randy Humphrey still listed as the owner of the #91? What gives?
From my understanding, they have teamed up in some way (D’Hondt and Humphrey). Seeing as how neither car is sponsored, and what drivers are on the entry list, I wouldn’t expect anything less then to see both the 90 and 91 start and park if they make the show. They may be attempting to build for the future, but for now, don’t expect either team to race. – T.C.
10. From Dean:
Could it be that Junior was actually driving a Toyota and the gas pedal stuck and he was hanging on?
That’s a good theory, but I’m going to say it’s probably not a likely scenario. – Journo
11. From Eddie:
On the Dodge Charger, why is the “DODGE” name below the grill and the “CHARGER” name is above the grill this year?
I honestly don’t have a clue. I’d imagine the fine folks in Chrysler’s marketing department thought it looked better. Perhaps it shows up better on TV. – Journo
12. From Michael:
I was fortunate enough to have attended the 2010 Daytona 500 courtesy of a NASCAR sponsor. On the first caution for the pothole, is it true NASCAR contacted all the teams looking for any available Bondo?
I know there were some jokes going around about how NASCAR was bondoing the track, but I’m not aware of a call to the teams looking for any plastic body filler. – T.C.
13. From Joe:
In your opinion will the Wood Brothers and Bill Elliott ever run up front again?
I think the Wood Brothers still have good equipment, but I think Bill Elliott’s career is certainly in its twilight. He runs good here and there, but given his limited schedule and the point in his career you can’t expect him to go out and be ultra competitive when he races. That certainly isn’t a jab at “Awesome Bill” but he just isn’t as strong as he once was. – Journo
14. From Neon:
TC-You see a lot of coverage about “over the wall” crew members that practice pit stops almost daily at the shop (usually around Mooresville, NC) during the week. However, at the Cup level, are there many that live in other towns or states away from the shop and only practice and perform during the race weekend?
To be honest with you, especially at the Cup level, I don’t think a guy could make it if he didn’t live in town and wasn’t able to practice with his teammates regularly. The only way to be really good as a crew is to work together all the time and to know what each other is going to do at all times. The more you work with the same guys, the tighter your stops become. I can’t honestly say I know of anyone that lives away from Charlotte that is on a pit crew for a team based in Charlotte. – 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!
After years of complaints from fans (and drivers for that matter) over the looks of the Cup Series COT, NASCAR undoubtedly didn’t want a repeat as they developed the Nationwide COT.
This weekend we got our first glimpse of all four stickered up Nationwide COT’s. I don’t know how you feel about the cars, but in my opinion the manufacturers and teams (of course with NASCAR) did a good job making the cars look more like a production model.
I was fortunate enough to see a Challenger COT early in development and I was happy to see through the process there weren’t any major changes to it’s overall look. By far I think it’s the best looking of the new cars. The Mustang turned out well too.
I think Chevrolet missed out here though in not bringing the Camaro into the sport; though I understand their position. Mark Kent, Director of GM Racing said earlier this year:
“At the end of the day, because of the quest for very close competition and the need to have templated bodies in that series, we felt that by forcing the Camaro into the Nationwide templates that we were compromising the body lines of an iconic car. So at the end of the day we just could not get the Camaro in the Nationwide series to satisfy our requirements.”
It’s understandable they didn’t want to murder the body lines of a car they’ve been working on for many years. Still how cool would that have been?
I digress. NASCAR though now has a problem on its hands. They have visually attractive and realistic looking Nationwide cars competing with the less than handsome Cup Series COT.
After meetings this past week with drivers and team officials, NASCAR said they would make changes in 2011 to the front fascia of the Cup Series COT, presumably to make them look a little better up against the Nationwide COT. Let’s hope the changes are enough.
Now I know many of you aren’t fans of the COT and from the comments I have read elsewhere people are still complaining that this new car is still “cookie cutter”. In NASCAR’s and the team’s defense though these things could help bring down costs and will certainly make the racing safer; the hope of course is that racing will be better. Whatever the case, it’s hard to complain about the looks of the car; this is the closest we’ve seen to a production model (in my opinion) since the late-80s or early-90s.
With these new good looking cars though, let’s just hope competition isn’t the cost we all pay.
So any thoughts on the new Nationwide COT? Anything you would have liked to have seen done differently? Any hopes for the Cup Series COT? Talk amongst yourselves.