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Jimmie Johnson’s crash on lap three of the Dickies 500 gave Chad Knaus and his crew the chance to put their formidable triage skills to good use. I’m always impressed by any driver who can finesse a stock car around a track at nearly 200 miles per hour, but seeing the No. 48 crew rebuild Johnson’s car in one hour and eight minutes was almost as impressive as what a driver can do behind the wheel.
In that short time frame the crew was able to remove and replace body parts, the rear axle and front suspension components all while cutting, bending and welding on the tattered car. Don’t you wish you could get this kind of service at your local dealership?
But if a team is allowed to replace so many major components in order to stay in the race, shouldn’t they be allowed to replace the engine too? The No. 48 team rebuilt a car that Knaus initially thought was beyond repair due to its heavy damage. That’s a lot of rebuilding. And if replacing major drivetrain components like the rear axle and driveshaft are allowed, then changing an engine should also be allowed.
Fortunately, the No. 48 team didn’t have engine issues during Sunday’s race. But if they had, replacing the engine should have been an option.
Reader poll
I can remember when engine changes during a race were part of the sport. Teams became so proficient at it that it became an art form. It also added an element of excitement to the races to see a team change an engine in twenty minutes.
I know that allowing an engine swap during a race would conflict with NASCAR’s single-engine rule. But teams could still be required to race with the same engine they use in qualifying and be allowed to install a new engine if one blows during the race.
…
Last week I attended the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) convention in Las Vegas. SEMA, hosts this yearly convention where every type of car part and accessory imaginable is displayed. Here are a few of the more unusual cars I witnessed.
1959 Fiat 500 with a 427 small block that produces 725 horsepower.
1959 Fiat 500
1957 Chevy.
1957 Chevy
My favorite was this fully restored, early Ford Bronco
Early Ford Bronco
Legendary designer Chip Foose as he signed autographs.
Chip Foose
Lowes should not miss the marketing GOLD - their theme; "Let's build somthing together" now cut a commercial showing the 88, 24 and 5 teams all helping put the 48 back together again.
That is a beautiful Bronco.
How many points did JJ gain after all that effort and expense? Maybe 24? It could be the winning margin...thank goodness for 'start and park' cars!
Rocket is so right ... remember Allen Kulwicki won the championship by five points ... that's one lap in the lead for the national championship of stock car racing.
It's amazing to realize how proficient these mechanics are at rebuilding a car, but NASCAR needs more than a car repair to rebuild its reputation.
It made a couple good moves by returning the races to uniform legitimate green flag starting times and the double file restarts, but there still a lot more:
First, it shot itself in the foot by requiring restricter plates.
Second, it's got to bring ticket prices back in line with what Joe Fan can afford. Luxury boxes are nice, but it's the guy/gal in the stands that is a good guage for the popularity of the sport.
Third, may narrowing the tires down a bit (No, make that a whole lot) would make racing more competitive by slowing down the cars a bit.
Fourth, shorten some of the races. 600 miles is just too long for any race. The actual race, for most parts, is the final 50 laps. Other sports have the same problem ... I know pro basketball fans who don't show up until the third quarter; soccer games are much too long and much too big a field; baseball is too slow (but that's an old man's game anyway, isn't it ... LOL).
Some on racting, check out why Saturday nights short track racing is so popular ... it's because every lap counts and the first two thirds of the race are not just a joy ride to fill up two hours of time.
As for the survey. I voted NO! If you just replace the engine on a whim. Then everytime a gasket or clogged piston occurs, then all the engines would be replaced. The point of winning is to make sure you have almost all your parts while you become 1st in the race.
My thoughts for what they're worth. I have nothing against the 48 team, but they have had their championships in the past and lately they have been stinking up the show. For sentimental reasons I'm pulling for Mark Martin in the 5 car,...he's been at this forever and now may be his only chance for his championship.
With that said what annoyed me last Sunday was the assistance of other Hendrick teams to come over from Gordon's 24 team, Juniors team, and maybe even the 5 cars team to rebuild the 48. Ok, so they are all owned by Rick Hendrick and they share data, but I believe once the race begins the teams should not be allowed to provide all the help the Johnson team received.
If they want to communicate on the track via radio and help each other on the track thats one thing, but in this case it should have been limited to the 48 crew only. Single car teams wouldn't have the luxury of other teams help, or shouldn't, so why should the multi car teams be allowed additional help? That may have made the rebuild and outcome much different.
Sometimes NASCAR comes up with silly rules, but here is something they may not have considered, but should.
adam, You're right, that is a beautiful Bronco. I disagree with the article stating it is "restored". Restored implies put back to as-new, this one is modified and updated. Still a SWEET Bronco.
Laker, you say soccer games are too long. If a soccer game lasted 5 minutes, that's still 5 minutes too long for me!
Alan Kulwicki actually counted laps led by he and Bill Elliott in the last race. He waited until he was sure Elliott could not lead more than him before he made his final pit stop. One smart guy!
I like baseball....Oh yeah, I'm old! My dad likes it too, He's really old.
141, it is fairly common to see crew members working in another driver's pit, usually if a crew member gets hurt, or if a car drops out and they have a better tire changer than the teammate still running. Doesn't happen every race, but you see it several times a year.
Dale Earnhardt even lent Dave Marcis a car once, when Marcis' car was damaged in practice or something. They weren't even teammates.
I happen to be rooting for 4 in a row, since that would be an all-time record. At least if he doesn't make it, Martin and Gordon are deserving too, so I'll still be happy if 48 doesn't get it.
Rocket, Johnson gained 15 points by going back out. If he wins it by 14 or less, it will be looked at as a very smart move.
I enjoyed the article and all the comments.
as a race fan in general the whole nascar thing is lost on me.the cars all look the same except for the decal or headlight design that "differentiates" the various brands.i guess its the same with other types of racing.i just enjoyed back in the golden days of moto-cross when the factories would put out proto-types for their riders.made for some interesting observation.
Why don't they make the Nationwide race just Hendrick engines? At least it won't be so boring as watching them win nearly every week in Sprint, except for the sad offspring. All the other car owners know they don't have much of a chance. Let alone the Start n' Parks.
At this rate, Nascar is going to end up like boxing and horse racing. A trivial sport centered in the Slave States only.