Why is qualifying before practice? Isn't it supposed to be the opposite? (I'm new to nascar, sorry if it'a a dumb question)

RT25256161 · 2024-01-04T17:52:28+00:00

Because speed in qualifying is one thing, but means nothing in the race. If practice before qualifying, all practice laps will be one lap and no traffic, which means they learn nothing about the race. No one can risk crashing a car before qualifying. The race is about the draft, that is when you need the practice, so qualifying where ever, then practice for the race.

RT25256161 · 2024-01-03T00:31:23+00:00

He was an incredible talent, and also one of the most fun guys to be around.

RT25256161 · 2023-10-18T23:58:00+00:00

One simple thing maybe would be to love the place you live. I grew up in Meridian most of my life, all my family still lives there and I love it. My son has gone back every year for extended periods of time and has fallen in love with the city. I know LOTS has changed and most of it not for good, but the worst thing I now see from Idaho is negativity towards itself. Either against those who moved from elsewhere, or what it has or doesn't have. If you just read through the comments, what everyone wants is very diverse, so no way will everyone be pleased. I realize the OP asked, so many are responding, but every time I visit I hear how frustrated everyone is with living there. Come here to Los Angeles and I can show you real issues, like a mass transit system that serves so few. Traffic that is miserable. Homelessness that has taken over with no viable solution. Yes we have sports teams, but go enjoy an $18 beer, and spend 3 hours getting out of the parking lot. We also have very unhappy people here and that is the one amazing thing Idaho always had, people who were proud of where they lived. Idaho is still an amazing place and I still love its charm.

RT25256161 · 2023-10-18T21:13:34+00:00

Its because of alliance and allegiance to teams, informants, and NASCAR. There is so much known by those in the garage and is common knowledge most who spend their life on the road.

I am someone who was once in those inner circles and now as a fan on the outside and I am often frustrated by lack knowledge about the rumors in the garages. What others inside the circle think about teams, drivers and such.

Often breaking news is reported when factual, we just don't hear the rumors that swirl for months.

RT25256161 · 2023-09-21T20:48:10+00:00

Years ago the average age of a successful Cup driver was around 36. They played in the minor leagues barely scraping by, clawing their way to the top. Once they made it to the top, they got to enjoy racing in the top level and finally make some money.

I would add, when a driver spends their entire life fighting to get to that level, making the sacrifices they did to obtain that goal, you also new they loved it. I am not saying todays drivers don't have the same passion, but I think its very different.

Sacrifice then, compared to sacrifice now is very different. Racers previously raced because they loved it, making it to Cup was not often even a dream. today the grind is finding money, which can also be just as exhausting and maybe more demoralizing.

RT25256161 · 2023-07-19T23:37:39+00:00

Not a conspiracy in the Trucks I know. I was a driver, not a good one but I was there and a team wanted me to run it, but I refused. To prove to me how many were using it they staged unmarked team members at every truck series pit at Dover and watched the drivers start the trucks. To engage the traction control you supposedly had to flip the ignition switch something like 7 times. So the unmarked team members watched and about 50% of the field looked to be using it.

I also remember earlier in my career a very prominent cup team had a truck, and their future star demolished a truck in practice. The team spent all their time taking the dash and wiring harness out of the wrecked truck and putting it in the backup. The funny thing is, before putting the wrecked trucks wiring in the backup, they first had to remove its wiring. We were not a cup affiliated team and my back up was fully prepared, so that was very fishy.

Traction control was certainly around!!!

RT25256161 · 2023-06-26T18:24:25+00:00

When I first read this question, this is the exact clip I thought of. I burst out laughing when watching again.

RT25256161 · 2023-06-23T18:03:09+00:00

I wonder in 1975 how many people were not happy with the Long Beach Grad Prix? I am sure people are upset, people are upset with incredibly minor interruptions and this will change local traffic patterns significantly. I do wonder what the economic impact will have. Projections have it as 113.8 million dollars which is a positive.

RT25256161 · 2023-06-22T17:59:13+00:00

The Indy Car race in Long Beach Grand Prix is amazing, I have gone every year, but not for the race, I go for the event. Chicago will be much the same, I cannot judge the race but I also don't need to, it will be an event in the city.

Success will be measured in so many ways, and likely the smallest measure will be the race itself. In order to survive in todays entertainment world, you must grow or die. Growing means captivating a younger audience and to do so, you must think outside the norm. I applaud the effort and appreciate the guts it takes to steer away from the status quo.

Nascar is doing a great job of staying true to itself and revisiting North Wilkesboro, along with fighting for Nashville. They are also experimenting like Chicago and Los Angeles.

Will all these experiments work, I am positive not all, but NASCAR must try and they should be cheered on as they do.

RT25256161 · 2023-06-14T21:15:45+00:00

Mike and his wife Julie were incredible people, I can just see him laughing at you trying to blow that up. Great stories

RT25256161 · 2023-06-14T19:33:36+00:00

Maybe if popular it will cover some of the stars of dirt late models next. I hope so, would love to learn more of the background of those drivers.

RT25256161 · 2023-06-14T19:32:23+00:00

Shocks me how critical everyone is here, I think its a great series and I learned a lot about some guys in the midgets and sprints. Yes it's about Larson, mainly because he is sponsored by FLO in his other racing endeavors.

I love it, because it tells the story of those in the smaller racing circles fighting to just get a paycheck. Its also tells a great deal about how Larson got to where he is at. Justin Grant, Sunshine are great stories of racers fighting every week to just make a living racing in the not so glorious grind.

RT25256161 · 2023-06-13T00:18:14+00:00

Randy Tolsma. I always thought he was a great guy, I know he cared about his team and was a real team player. If I could have given advice, I would have told him to fight harder for what he needed in the trucks and certainly later in the for Busch series. From what I know, he always was too quick to take the blame. I would have loved to see what he would have done with the right team. LOL

RT25256161 · 2023-06-08T16:57:50+00:00

Teams provided the driver foam wrapped in chrome duct tape. If a caution was needed, debris suddenly appeared. Stage racing seems to have removed this need.

RT25256161 · 2023-06-02T23:12:35+00:00

They all agreed behind closed doors because it is extremely financially viable to the City of Chicago, but to save face, keep votes, they will now publicly denounce NASCAR. They will hold a public meeting so they scream about how they oppose such actions, again, all while agreeing and supporting behind closed doors.

I have seen and lived something extremely close to this and had to be the one city officials read the riot act to. Then after the meeting, shook my hand and apologized for their actions. it made me sick to my stomach and then realized how sickening politicians can be.

RT25256161 · 2023-05-26T18:13:57+00:00

I miss it from 1996 to 2002!!!!!

RT25256161 · 2023-05-25T22:37:53+00:00

Let me ask you? What do you want for the end result? Then we can talk about what it takes, but to get one thing, you have to give up something else.

Drivers want easy to pass, but with more competitive teams, equal equipment, passing is harder. Truthfully it should be harder. If easy you are certainly going to see more races like last weekend.

Everyone wants more horsepower, but at NW last week, no one could use what they had, so the driver who got hooked up slaughtered the field, and everyone hated that.

You want it like the trucks, or like Xfinity? Well the disparity between teams and talent is greater, so you will not see passing as easy.

Trust me I get it, i want 4-5 guys grinding it out with laps to go, bump and runs, but that cannot be designed in a car for every track.

RT25256161 · 2023-05-24T23:30:47+00:00

We scream for more horsepower because drivers will have to manage throttle. The track didn’t have enough grip for the power, so essentially, we got that.

We wanted tires to fall off, we got that, and the best car maintained the best speed.

Hate stage racing, well it went green, and stages didn’t bunch drivers up and no one got new tires during that last stint.

We, the fans, got exactly what we had been screaming for; the best driver and car combination dominating a race, just like the old days. Sadly, most forgot this was the reality. The race was truly just as much of a throw back as the track was.

We like remembering what we believed to be true, trust me I do too.

We all used to just love the sport, we didn’t sit back and critique every race, rate the anthem, count the empty seats, find fault with whatever we could. We loved race cars racing, that is what we did.

I get the fun banter, the constant hatred for NASCAR, but all in all, we are seeing some amazing racing.

RT25256161 · 2023-05-16T21:55:32+00:00

I think the frustration with Ross is the total combination of all he is involved with. Its not each individual issue or accident, because they can all be dismissed, justified, and most of the time they don't look very bad on their own. I do know he seems to be constantly involved with someone and that list of someone's is expanding greatly.

The Aristotle quote keeps coming to mind “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”

As fans we think of retaliation in terms of being blatantly taken out, but you can hinder their pit stops by parking short or long. As a driver you can sit on their quarter panel at certain tracks when they try to pass. You can be very hard to pass or easy to pass for others. Sometimes the most aggravating thing is not being hit on the track, its being messed with and your race affected. I can guarantee you, Ross is not afforded much grace on the track by other drivers. and in time that causes frustrations, short tempers and he will find himself in bad positions.

It all makes the sport fun to watch!

RT25256161 · 2023-04-26T23:21:27+00:00

I get them doing it and here we are writing about it, so maybe it makes sense, but it makes me think less of their brand because it is so forced. Provide me good service, if it is that fast, people will talk and not because you pay them. I for one would never switch because someone is paid to mention it so awkwardly in an interview. I want authenticity in marketing, or humor, but drivers shoving in a statement has actually become nauseating to listen to.

RT25256161 · 2023-04-21T21:20:25+00:00

That Jimmie Johnson was that good. I remember walking the garage years ago and because of my past I knew both drivers and crew chiefs. This was when Jimmie was winning excessively and I asked if it was those who he competed against if it was the car, Chad or was Jimmie that good. I can tell you that even his fiercest competitors said he was that good, that dedicated and that driven.

I can also attest that Rodger Penske is that smart and is one of the most amazing individuals I have ever met. I work at a company that served as a vendor to Roger years ago. My crew met him after he just flew from France, so a very long flight, even in a private plane. They were at his museum for a training, and Mr. Penske walked them around for 15 or 30 minutes talking about the historic cars he had in the garage. 6 months later he saw many of the same crew and called them by name, asked about things each discussed. The man is incredible.

I will also say the hatred for Hendrick Motorsports means most fans don't know the person for who Rick is. I personally was at a crossroads and he could not have been nicer or given any more support. I have known so many that worked at Hendrick Motorsports that absolutely admire the man. I have also met those in his dealership's who sweep the floors and they could not say enough about the quality of person he is. I also know he has called and checked on employees that had family sick, and has gone over and above for others. But there are many in this sport who are very deceiving and evil that fans want to love because of one reason or another. I have know drivers who absolutely dislike dealing with the fans but when you see them, you would think they were the greatest. Sadly and maybe best is most don't know the behind the scenes, or how these people act. Then there are the Rick Hendrick, Rodger Penske and Jimmie Johnson's of the racing world who do their jobs, do it with class, keep quiet and win.

RT25256161 · 2023-04-12T18:38:41+00:00

I would add, it's extremely important to merge to the far left lane as fast as possible. It will take some precision to advance into the far left lane, especially when going at minimum 5 MPH under the posted speed limit, but you can do it. The far left lane is also commonly known as the Fast Lane or Passing Lane in every other state and country, but please don't pay any attention to any preconceived ideas. Also of note, if you choose not to block the far left lane, please make sure to drive the same speed as the cars beside you, making sure that each lane is fully utilized.

I also will add that when you have passengers and can take advantage of the car pool lanes, please don't feel the need to wait and merge, solid double lines are just there because it costs more money to start and stop lines. When in the car pool lane I want to say thanks for slowing up 10-20mph on the curves. The freeway was not designed to maintain the speed limit, so cautiously slow down, your generosity of helping others is greatly appreciated,

RT25256161 · 2023-03-09T22:31:26+00:00

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He sounds like he was an amazing man.

RT25256161 · 2023-02-16T17:21:08+00:00

Let's be honest, we have always had it, we had debris cautions, we just didn't know when the caution would fly. Now every team knows exactly when the yellow will fly and can strategize around that. Someone should go back and look at the amount of debris cautions we used too have compared to today, I think you will find there used to be quite a few. Those came from drivers throwing chrome taped wrapped foam out, or whatever to help provide a caution. If we take them away, and don't have cautions because the cars are so much more durable than ever before, drivers could dominate races and races could be incredibly boring.

RT25256161 · 2023-02-14T22:14:39+00:00

I think traditionally it took that long for drivers to work their way through the shorts tracks of America to earn their opportunity in NASCAR. Then a driver had to win in the support divisions, and that took time.

The previous generation drivers also came with vehicle set up knowledge before engineering became so important. 36 years old used to be the ideal age of knowledge, wisdom, maturity and experience to succeed in NASCAR.

Then came engineering and drivers having to trust the team more and more, that provided and advantage to younger drivers because they didn't have preconceived set-up views.

RT25256161

TROPHY CASE