The impetus:
The repaved Daytona track is so smooth that one car can push another all the way around the track, allowing both cars to go as much as 20 mph faster than cars running alone.
Everybody wants to grab a partner and draft…
Okay… So when the laps dwindle down to a precious few next Sunday, who chooses who gets to be the pusher and who gets to be the pushee?
I’d venture to say that every driver’s hand stays down when volunteers for being the pusher are sought and yet everybody’s hand is raised when asked who wants to be the pushee.
So how DO they figure that question out?
If an owner has more than one car on the track is it his decision? Does his BIG DOG driver automatically become the pushee and the secondary drivers are relegated to the pusher role?Is it just a matter of circumstance?
Joe Blow just happens to be in front of you so ya go ahead and lock up doing him the favor?
Will you, as the pusher, then try something fancy at the end to try and sling shot into the lead for the win? Is turn four on the white flag lap the only opportunity to avoid coming in second place?
Will the grateful recipient of your pushing turn into Frodo’s Uncle Bilbo and want to keep his precious?
Or will he simply allow you by as a form of thanking you? (HUH? We're talking precious here!)
Will it be 198 laps of kum-by-ya followed by a two lap knife fight?
I’m going to step out on a flimsy thin limb and say it’s just a case of happenstance. Ya dance with whoever you can up to a point then its every person for themself.
Daytona has really become a conundrum…
ok, so given that I've been watching Olympic highlights (has it really been a year? My how time flies) and now know that ice dancing is different from the pairs figure skating....is this drafting deal more like tarmac dancing or figure racing?
ReplyDeleteHa! Good stuff Dwindy. I don't think the teammate thing will be a huge deal at the end of the race because drivers will have to lock up with the closest car or they will get smoked by the nearest two-car pair, which may or may not be teammates. The only teammates that really seemed to work well together in the Shootout was were the Childress cars.
ReplyDeleteI think the duels will give us a better idea about the racing in the 500 than Sat PM did. Teammates, manufacturer mates, then engineering mates, friends off the track and finally anyone you can hook up with - you know, pretty much like any bar on a Sat night! LOL
ReplyDeleteI really hope it doesnt come down to teammates because ours will just wreck us! =)
Hey tez!
ReplyDeleteI think you're on the right track, but only the winner will be doing tarmac dancing...
It's gonna be a whole new NASCAR! All touchy feely until the bitter end... Then watch out!
jmayer,
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm gonna have to change my fantasy driver for the 500... Nobody wants to dance with him! (even his own teammates) Now go figure out who it is... Oh he'll be able to lock up with somebody but I'm thinkin' he'll only be allowed as the pusher, not the pushee... :(
It sure looks like team owner mandates may become the order of the day! Now if they can just figure out who the BIG DOGS are! LOL
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI taped last year's 400 in July and watched it again last night... I sure hope we don't see a replay like that! Kurt got turned by his own teammate (Sammy) late in the race when he could have helped him. I wonder how much that played into Penske's decision for 2011.
That race was rain delayed, had 10 cautions, the BIG ONE late, a green-white-checkered finish and Kevin Harvick in Victory Lane. Kurt still managed to get a top 10 but I'll bet he was fit to be tied! Not sure what time the race got over but it didn't start until after 9 pm...
You all packed? Red and yellow apparel? I'll be in touch on Friday!
I don't think anything will be really clear till Sunday. There are to many people on different agendas during the duels to get a true read. For instance, I am sure the MWR cars will be dropping back to try and get the boss into the field. Also, the non-shootout contenders will just be getting their first big taste of the 2-car tango
ReplyDeleteAs for team owners calling the shots as to who leads and who follows. I don't think any of them will do that. They all know that the team stuff goes out the window on Sundays. Sure, they may say "work with so and so during the race if you can, and don't wreck your teammate" but I don't foresee Kyle Busch listening if Coach Gibbs tells him he has to push Denny to a win.
Hey stork!
ReplyDeleteNo team orders? I've gotta believe you're right, at least late in the race.
It'll be interesting to see how long they can continue drafting wth the cooling system changes and given the forecast for mid 70's holds true.
Now if my driver can just find somebody to dance... draft with!
Any bets on how long it takes one of the talking heads to make a "Dancing With the Stars"- I mean cars joke?
ReplyDeleteI like it SB!
ReplyDeleteWho's the BIG DOG at Stewart-Hass? Ya think his teammate will push him to victory?
Tony would be climbing the fence for sure!
Even though ALL cars are supposedly created equal, the fact is that some cars are better pushing than being pushed. The drivers quickly find out during practice which one they have, and which other cars they work best with. It's always been like that at the plate tracks.
ReplyDeleteOf course, during the actual race, anything can happen.
Interesting stuff Gene... I wonder how far in advance they realize which cars are better pushers and which are better at being pushed. Probably not until they actually practice.
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering about the JGR Toyotas. They certainly seem to hook up well together and yet on their own they've been very slow, like qualifying in the 30s. What's up with that?
I'll bet Joe Gibb's midnight oil is being burned.
Thanks Gene!
Going to be an interesting race. Considering the cars are alledgedly equal so to speak, wonder how the real estate is going to be at the front of the pack. 42 cars with dancing partners and one the odd man out.
ReplyDeleteHi photogr!
ReplyDeleteNow think about this... If a team like RCR with four drivers works to get into position so that two pairs work in conjunction, taking turns pushing and being pushed, and they average say 15 mph faster than drivers only able to hook-up for short periods of time then break off, it should take the RCR cars 20 to 25 minutes to start lapping the slower running cars.
There are only three 4 car teams this year... Hendrick, Childress and Roush (I guess you could throw in Michael Waltrip's three cars (if Michael qualifies) plus JTG-Daugherty with Bobby Labonte driving since they partner with MWR). Will they all work together like that?
Yes, it could be very interesting...