NASCAR fans now have two races in the 2012 books for the much anticipated opening weekend at Daytona International Speedway. And at this point, it seems NASCAR has accommodated the request of fans with two wreckfest feature events in the Camping World Truck and Nationwide series’ races. The net result is two unexpected winners with John King of Red Horse Racing in the Camping World Truck series and James Buescher from Turner Motorsports in the Nationwide series. 


From all appearances, it seems we now have a new hybrid between two-by-two and pack racing. Drivers are still capable of racing in tandem, knowing this is still the fastest way around the track and in some cases, the only way to advance in the field. But now they’re doing two-by-two drafting within packs instead of independently throughout the field. The result is exactly what fans wanted…right?


Add in that NASCAR has eliminated radio communications between teams and now we have the back pushing driver with no visibility of what is happening in front of the car being pushed. When something does happen the pushing driver has no time to react going at 195-200mph – the only concluding result is collecting any and all within reach. And in pack racing, within reach means the “Big One.” 


When Denny Hamlin was taken out of the Nationwide event in one of the Big Ones in Saturday’s race, his comment was somewhat ironic as he said, “So hard to control your own fate.”  Why was this ironic? Because in post race comments after the Bud Shootout, when asked about the return of pack racing, Denny Hamlin said this, “I am happy to see the big pack return. I feel it puts it back in the drivers’ hands with how they want to run the race…There will be a little more carnage as a product of the big packs as opposed to the tandem racing we have seen the last few (restrictor) plate races, but you no longer have to rely on someone else to control your destiny…” 

So in a matter of days Hamlin went from being happy that drivers “no longer have to rely on someone else to control your destiny” to “So hard to control your own fate,” after becoming an innocent victim of the anticipated carnage on the track. Somehow I suspect, this same change of opinion will be repeated throughout the garage, one-by-one, or perhaps, ten-by-ten as they become by-standing victims of the “Big One.”

And is that really the point fans?  Are we that caught up in the “not” knowing what is going to happen next? Are fans really craving the element of suspense when drivers, at 195-200mph cannot see what is happening in front of them and have no means of communicating with their tandem partner to coordinate their efforts? Do we really want the top-ten drivers taken out of the race at the finish line so we can celebrate the survivorship of those left after the carnage on the track?


For those fans that have asked for the return of the pack and for NASCAR to do something to bring it back, one can only hope, it’s not the same fans that criticize NASCAR for becoming more like the WWE.  NASCAR has given fans exactly what they asked for and now the sport at restrictor plate tracks looks more like the WWE with that same excitement factor than ever before. Does anyone else see the irony – or perhaps mixed message – in this?


Already, we have an owner, Jack Roush saying it may be a good idea to let the teams take a mulligan.  In essence he is asking that every team be given the chance to take their worst finish out of the equation when determining their points for the season and ultimately the champion for the series. For those thinking this might be a good idea, fans of the sport of “racing” must be wondering what new twist will next be suggested as a means of bringing more excitement to NASCAR?


It’s only a matter of time before fans and drivers begin their dawning of realization, that restrictor plate racing could mean the difference between winning a title in NASCAR’s elite series’, with four such events in the 36-race schedule. 


Think not? Think again, last year’s competition came down to a tie in points when the dust settled on the last race of the season – the determining factor was the number of wins. How would you like to be a contender for the championship and lose a restrictor plate race as a hapless victim of the “Big One?”

In the most recent previous years, this fan saw some skill and strategy used in restrictor plate racing to coordinate tandem drafting within the full race. The skill was directly in the hands of each team to coordinate their strategy and skill to win the race. It was tandem racing that gave us some of the closest finishes we’ve seen in recent history. And to this fan, watching the team dynamics at play while coordinating their unfolding strategy as the race progressed was fascinating. It wasn’t just the end of the race that held my attention, it was the strategy discussion and watching the teams working together throughout the race that held my attention.  The close finish at the end was the culmination of skill, strategy and good hard racing!  


This year, and in this one fan’s humble opinion, those elements are now gone.  The communication has been restricted between teams, strategy goes out the window when teams are caught up in random wrecks on the field and good hard racing may very well net nothing at that the end of the race.


At the request of ‘the fans,’ restrictor plate racing has taken a turn right down the path of the WWE and the Lucky Lottery games that are so popular. Will fans tune in to the next episode of NASCAR Survivor to see which lucky driver has maneuvered their car to be in position to win after the carnage of the “Big One” takes out the top contenders of the race, allowing them to become the next Lucky Lottery Winner? 


Further irony? Today, the person waving the green flag to start our next episode of NASCAR Survivor is none other than the face of the WWE, John Cena.  


Welcome to the Wide World of Excitement in Daytona!
  

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Mike Helton President of NASCAR

Following rules is a part of every aspect of life. In NASCAR, breaking the rules warrants punishment. Sometimes the punishment is simple with a small fine, a small points penalty and probation. The more severe the infraction, the harder the punishment handed down. The most severe punishment handed down in recent years was handed to the #55 of Michael Waltrip Racing.


During the opening weekend of Speedweeks in February of 2007, Michael Waltrip’s car failed post-qualifying inspection and was found to be in violation of three rules: 12- 4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts components and/or equipment not conforming to NASCAR rules) and 20-15.2C (gasoline must not be blended with alcohols, ethers or other oxygenates). The car was impounded and taken by NASCAR to be gone over further at their R&D center. As a result of the infractions, Bobby Kennedy, MWR’s VP of Communication, and David Hyder, the #55 crew chief, were both ejected from Daytona and suspended indefinitely. Hyder was also fined $100,000. Michael Waltrip was docked 100 driver points, his wife Buffy, listed as the owner of the car, was docked 100 owner points, and Waltrip’s qualifying time was disallowed.

#48 during Daytona opening day inspection

This year at Daytona, one of the infractions found involved the C-posts on Jimmie Johnson’s #48 car. The issue was discovered during opening day inspections and because this issue was discovered prior to any track time, the team was allowed to make corrections and move forward. No penalties have been announced yet and none are expected to be announced until after the Daytona 500. Rick Hendrick has already said that he will appeal if there are any penalties announced for the team. According to the team, these same posts have passed previous inspections repeatedly without any infractions cited by NASCAR.


This is not the first time that the 48 team has been caught with parts not conforming to the templates. In 2006, the team was found to have infractions involving unapproved modifications to the rear window area of the car during post-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500. Because the car had track time posted, Chad Knaus, Johnson’s crew chief, was ejected from Daytona, suspended for four races, put on probation until the end of the season, and fined $25,000. The team was not assessed a points penalty for this infraction. 

Chad Knaus, #48 Crew Chief

One other time the team was caught with a major infraction involving unapproved body modification was in July of 2007 at Sonoma. The front fender on the front of the car was too wide. Johnson was not allowed to practice or qualify the car and had to start at the rear of the field for the race. Knaus was fined $100,000, suspended for the next six races following Sonoma, and placed on probation until the end of the season. Johnson was penalized 100 driver points and his car owner Jeff Gordon was penalized 100 owner points.


Given NASCAR’s history with doling out penalties and fines, I would anticipate that the team could see a points deduction, a monetary fine, and some sort of probation for this latest infraction. Since they didn’t act as they did with other infractions from this team, it seem unlikely there will be any suspensions doled out this time. If this does happen and Hendrick appeals as he has said he will, whether or not it will be overturned is another story. The Appeals committee has a long history of upholding penalties, only reducing a few penalties in recent history but not overturning any.


What do you think should happen to Chad Knaus for this latest infraction?

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Duel 1
                   

Tony Stewart wins first Gatorade Duel

The Gatorade Duel Qualifying race for the Daytona 500 had some fireworks. Tony Stewart was victorious in the race followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Marcos Ambrose, Jeff Burton, and Carl Edwards. Michael McDowell and Robby Gordon earn starting spots in the Daytona 500. 


The first incident of the day occurred in between turn 1 and 2 when David Gilliland came up across the track after being tapped in the rear left corner by Michael McDowell. When Gilliland came up across the track he collected Paul Menard and Juan Pablo Montoya. Brad Keselowski also had minor damage. Gilliland, Montoya, Menard will have to start from rear of the Daytona 500 due to having to go to back up cars. 


After a long stretch of a green flag run, we started to see green flag pit stops. When Denny Hamlin and Marcos Ambrose pitted for stops together so they could have each other to draft with once they got back out onto the track. 
For the first time in a few years, the pack overtook the two car tandem and Ambrose and Hamlin both went a lap down. 


After Michael Waltrip took a pit stop he came back onto the track and with no help at the beginning of the backstretch got loose and turned up head first into the wall and ruined his chances of racing in this year’s Daytona 500. 


On the final restart with 4 laps to go. Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick were out front. On the final lap on the backstretch, Jamie McMurray got into Aric Almirola which sent Almirola’s car into Danica Patrick’s car spinning head on into the inside wall on the backstretch causing some of the barrier to give and her car was totaled. Danica was fine after the wreck. In an interview with SPEED Danica described the wreck; she said it “Happened really quick.” At the end of the interview she says (laughing) “maybe the back-up car will be faster.” 


When the caution came out, the race went to yellow and Tony Stewart won. After the race Stewart commented on Michael Waltrip missing the 500, Tony said “Michael Waltrip eats, sleeps and breathes Daytona and Talladega. It’ll be a shame if he misses (the 500).”  


Trevor Bayne, who is already locked into 500, failed to finish in top 2 Go-or-Go homers spots which means in Duel 2 Kenny Wallace will have to race his way into the Daytona 500. After a crazy first duel we’ll see what the second one brings.


Duel 1 Results

Matt Kenseth wins Duel 2 at Daytona

A very cautious and quiet duel 2 ended up with Matt Kenseth winning the race. Dave Blaney and Joe Nemechek raced their way into the Daytona 500. Most of the race had little action, teams were very cautious not to wreck their Daytona 500 cars. 


Kenny Wallace’s car lost the draft halfway through the race and never re-grouped and he will miss the Daytona 500. 


The most action occurred at the last 2 laps. Going to the white flag Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson got a run drafting each other and when Greg Biffle tried to move up in front of them he slid up the track and Kenseth and Johnson moved lower down the track and continued on. At the end of the backstretch on the final lap, Regan Smith and Jimmie Johnson made contact which allowed Matt Kenseth to pull ahead and win the race. 


Finishing 2^nd was Regan Smith and 3^rd was Jimmie Johnson. The 2^nd race had much more of a qualifying race feel to it. Expect the Daytona 500 to be more like the first Gatorade Duel.


Duel 2 Results

Daytona 500 Line up

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After weeks and months with a steady steam of news about changes within all three of NASCAR’s top series, fans are now anxious for the season to officially begin with The Great American Race, the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 26th.

Over the past weekend, fans were reeling in delight as we watched Sprint Cup drivers racing on the high-banks of Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night!  The 25 Sprint Cup drivers involved in the 75-lap Shootout met and exceeded fans’ anticipation of pack racing’s return to the track.  

The red marker on the other side is not good for a 500 mile race

Well, not exactly. From drivers there was one common thread of concern expressed about cars overheating even when drivers were not pushing another car on the track. The rule changes are designed to make cars overheat to minimize two-by-two drafting to just a couple laps. However, it’s also created overheating conditions when driving in packs on the track – and apparently even when not drafting in some cases. So this is something for NASCAR to review over the week to decide if further changes of the rule package are needed before the green flag drops on their premier event this weekend. In all honesty, we should expect some changes to alleviate this concern for drivers. 

Many fans called Saturday’s Shootout a “wreckfest” as the “Big One” also made it’s return to the track. The main culprit behind the wrecking spree is the learning curve of drivers drafting techniques. The big lesson from Saturday night – what could be done with two-by-two drafting is not appropriate for pack drafting. Namely drafting on the left back quarter panel of the cars.


Drivers sometimes will do this because their cars are overheating and they want to get air into their grill to ease the problem. With just two cars drafting together, there’s no issue with this technique. However, doing so at 195 mph in a pack creates a different aerodynamic pattern and in essence will cause the front car to loose it’s downforce and spin, creating havoc for those behind unable to check up in time to avoid the ensuing chaos. 

Kyle Busch, the eventual winner  with an amazing save on the track

When it happens, most drivers are just along for the ride with no control over the consequences. The only exception is Kyle Busch who made a few exceptional saves on Saturday night, while the others were left in his dust – or some may say flying sparks!  


Although, drafting on the left rear quarter panel is not a new lesson in pack racing, it is a drivers’ instinct to test their limits with the new rule package, just in case they can find an advantage. And in this case, it’s just a matter of re-learning what can and cannot be done to keep them in the race. 


With the safety features implemented within NASCAR, many are comfortable with testing their limits to the max. Thankfully, there’s not been a serious injury for quite a while in NASCAR’s top series, which just further increases the confidence of drivers to test their boundaries whenever the opportunity exists. The Bud Shootout is exactly that perfect opportunity.

Why? Because drivers learned last season, that every single point counts big with Carl Edwards as the role model of this valuable lesson. 


Last year’s Sprint Cup championship was unknown all the way to the last lap of the last race. Tony Stewart tied Carl Edwards points when he passed him on the track taking first place and leaving Edwards with a second place result. That one position, was just one point that created the tie. In the end, it was Stewart’s five wins compared to Carl Edwards one win, that determined the Sprint Cup championship in 2011. 

Not exactly…Drivers test the limit  to know their limitations on the track

The reveal for fans in all of this is that while drivers will test their limits in non-point events, we should not expect the same risks throughout the entire season. There may be a few exceptions when the opportunity exists, but drivers understand to win the championship they have to be smart about what they do on the track over 36 point-paying races and every single point can mean the difference in earning the 2012 title.

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