Feb 17th, 2010 by T.C.
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!
