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StumblePublished Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 | 8:45 p.m.
Updated Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 | 4:15 p.m.
The Budweiser Shootout looked more like the Zamboni Shootout as the cars slid around on the worn and bumpy surface of Daytona International Speedway. The race on Sunday has the potential to be a wild wreck fest, especially toward the end of the race when the drivers throw caution to the wind.
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I hope we don’t see tire issues at the 500 this weekend. There was some rapid tire wear in the Shootout, but as long as these cars are set up to ride on the bump stops, with the front springs fully compressed, the only flexibility left in the suspension is in the tires. And that’s when tires start to fail.
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Is the 10-minute pit stop used in the Shootout an idea that could be incorporated into the points races? This may be a crazy thought, but it might be worth some consideration. It would provide an extended break in the action for teams to make adjustments that could make the final laps of the race more competitive. It would certainly be more effective at accomplishing this than a mysterious debris caution. And it could allow for a package of ads to be aired in between driver interviews that could reduce the number of ads played under the green flag.
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The blogs are already abuzz with comments about Tony Stewart’s third-place finish. Fans think his performance indicates that Tony will have a great season and that the commentators who questioned the immediate viability of Tony’s new team have already been proven wrong. Hey, if anyone can create a team from scratch and make it successful, it’s Tony. But one race isn’t an indication of anything.
In the same vein, it’s too early to say that Martin Truex’s pole position for the Daytona 500 is an indication of a resurgence at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.
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Finally, the teams performed well even though there was no testing prior to the race. “I believe at the end of the day we’re going to determine that all this on-track testing is a colossal waste of money,” Michael Waltrip said on Sunday before qualifying. Maybe he’s right.
Tire problems are SO last year...Tony doing well (Newman ran strong too) is news. Didn't the truck series have a 'half time' when it started? It was to save the owners money, as I recall. Mikey may have a point at least about Daytona: how much on track testing do you need for bump-stop, restrictor plate laps?
QUOTE: "It would provide an extended break in the action for teams to make adjustments that could make the final laps of the race more competitive".
Ummmm, the end of restrictor plate races normally is whoever is left after the "Big One(s)". Usually a field of around 20, with maybe 15 on the lead lap. Extended break at a restrictor races is NOT a big deal or needed. Those wrecks are due to idiots trying to win the race WAY too early. Tire issues?? Huh??? Are you thinking something more like the Brickyard?? And anyway, wrecks are what put fans in the seats. Why do you think there are restrictor plates in the first place? Oh yeah, safety (LMAO).?.?. 3 abreast and 4 abreast is what gets everyone excited, and then the pileup is like WHOOOOOOAAAA DUDE!!!!!!!! Coo, coo, coo!!
Were you listening about Tony at all? His TEAM is pretty solid!! My guess, this year won't be any worse than last year. Look at Michael Waltrip, he pretty much sucks, but does good in restrictor races. Tony is a great restrictor guy, so no matter if it's a new team or not...he'll be there if he's not involved in a "big one".
I'm an old Awesome Bill fan, and I know he'll just "ride" around and not "race" hoping to finish without wrecking. He doesn't compete anymore.
I believe it was Tony Eury Jr. who stated that the tires were beginning to go south after seven laps.
Yes, I was listening to Tony. Stewart may have all the confidence in the world in his new team and he should. But I prefer to let his performance be the judge and not Tony's words. Let's have this conversation at the half way point in the season.
yeah just what we need, a 10-minute intermission to drag these races out even longer.
And there WERE tire issues in the shootout for those of you who weren't paying attention. That's why everybody put on new tires during the last pit stop. It's not Goodyear's fault it's the car setup.