Splish Splash takin’ a Bath on Gilles Villeneuve
As I write this the NNS field is under red flag conditions as the entire field is switching to rain tires.
It goes without saying history is about to be made.
My prediction mirrors that of the booth bobbleheads, the ringers in addition to Patrick Carpentier and Marcos Ambrose will have a vast advantage over the regular NNS drivers.
Of those I’d guess drivers such as Clint Bowyer, given their slippin’ and slidin’ experience on dirt tracks will have an advantage.
That doesn’t sound good, Scott Pruitt, who obviously has vast experience running in the wet, was overheard saying “this is ridiculous,” during the caution laps prior to the green flag.
Another prediction, this week will see the uninformed and just plain stupid jump at the chance to claim NASCAR should use rain tires on Sprint Cup cars.
In other tire news Goodyear is taking the pulled out of the butt advice of the Half Vast Staff™ of Full Throttle and considering going to a wider tire in the Sprint Cup division.
Among the changes being looked at are any and all of the following:
• Completing the extensive post-race analysis in process that includes all internal aspects of tire design and manufacturing and discussions with key external stakeholders, including representatives from NASCAR, team owners, crew chiefs and drivers to gain insight to information that will provide clarity to the final analysis.• Engaging research scientists and engineers, including available assets and modeling capabilities from the Sandia National Laboratories, to develop a range of potential short-term solutions. (Diandra, check your email, voice mail, snail mail and Blackberry. NASCAR might wanna talk to you.)
• Scheduling a fall track test at Indianapolis with multiple participants to test solutions to full fuel stop capabilities and test again in the spring of 2009 to fine-tune the specific race setup. (If they test with anything less than 20 cars their just pissing away time.)
• Accelerating discussions with appropriate NASCAR representatives, team owners, drivers, crew chiefs and track management on any future tire. Among elements already being considered are larger overall diameters, wider section widths and larger bead diameters.
• Developing future tires as a long term solution, looking proactively at the vehicle, tire, setup and track combinations for a complete package to assure only the highest level of performance for NASCAR’s racing fans.
The green just flew… let the games begin!
Go Marcos!
P.S. NASCAR’s decision to change the procedure in how and when teams can change back to drys if needed is chickenshit. What was understood after the drivers meeting should have remained effective.
Technorati Tags: Goodyear, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, NNS
Hi Marc: I hate to agree with Kenny Wallace, but I think what really needs to happen is for Goodyear to come back and tell everyone what was responsible for the Indy mess as soon as they figure out what happened. I will understand if they don’t, since the media is so intent on simplifying everything to the point of meaninglessness.
Diandra… fancy meeting you here! Welcome and don’t become a stranger.
I agree. Goodyear must cop to the crime so to speak and let NASCAR Nation know just went wrong and I think they will, eventually.
Is Goodyear the problem or is it NA$CAR? I like this this one poster had to say after Indy; “Why do you guys think it is a Goodyear problem. It is a NASCAR problem. NASCAR is doing everything they can to slow the cars down, smaller fuel cells (more stops), competition cautions (now what the hell is a competition caution?), COW, etc. Goodyear can make a tire that last 150 laps if NASCAR would allow them. NASCAR has become boring. Now Toyoto is winning and NASCAR will continue to do all they can to see Toyoto win more. More boring stuff It is no longer racing but rather parading and trying to keep the car planted. The aero is now so good most cars don’t spin even when they are sideways. No bumping, no fighting, no bad words, etc. It is already poor racing and that is why fewer are watching and attending. Tony is a GREAT driver but is one of the biggest cry babys.” Well said Painrace
Dr. Andy - “Goodyear can make a tire that last 150 laps if NASCAR would allow them.”
Really, what has NASCAR done to prevent it? Can you offer proof of that? A memo from NASCAR that curtailed tire development maybe? Anything?
Dr. Andy - “Now Toyoto [sic] is winning and NASCAR will continue to do all they can to see Toyoto [sic] win more.
Really, is that why they cut spacer size in the NNS for Toyota? Can you explain how that gives them more chance at winning?
Can you also explain why only Gibbs and their Toyotas are winning in Cup? Why aren’t all the rest if they have been given such an advantage by NASCAR?
Dr. Andy - “The aero is now so good most cars don’t spin even when they are sideways.”
Funny, the experts, you know the DRIVERS, say just the opposite.
Dr. Andy you’re long on bluster (read bullshit) and conspiracy theories but lack little to back them up other than an obvious bias against Toyota.