Pre-Race Inspection: The Photos

Originally posted on Foxsports on October 10, 2007.


I spent an interesting Sunday morning at Kansas a couple weeks ago watching the cars attempt to pass pre-race inspection.    The process was relatively simple.



























































In short, the building had two stations.  In the first, the car's height was measured, the undercarriage checked (measurements again), and the hood was popped and some wrenching done). 

  
  




















































The car was then wheeled by the crew to the next station, where it was weighed.  An inspector looked inside the driver's window.  Finally, the cars were lined up outside the building and wheeled back to the garage.




































































































When the car was first brought in, the wheels were blocked so the car wouldn't move.

  






































































Next, an inspector got on the ground and measured things underneath.















































































Sometimes, he was joined by a crew member when things didn't add up.










































































Simultaneously, another inspector checked the height.

  



































































Truex's team apparently didn't think he'd measure up, as the car came in with  the wrenches ready to go!

  














































































An official went under the hood with a crew member.

  















































































































The front bumper was measured, and if the proper measure was not found, crews could use this tool to make it fit.  Stewart and Waltrip's crews wacked their cars a few times.  Interestingly enough, this was the only tool provided by Nascar.  All others were brought in by the teams.

  









































































The secret of Hendrick's success?  Label the obvious?

  

































































 Both sides of the car had to match the template.  Notice the camera in the bumper.

  




































































Some crews came back to talk with the inspectors when the car failed and had to be brought back after a few "adjustments."  (Other than what could be fixed with the sledge hammer, naturally!).

  









































































The cars then rolled to the second platform where the crew was careful not to be on the platform with the car.  I assume it was to check the weight of the car.






































































The inspector looks inside - this took hardly 10 seconds.

  





























































The man at the computer logged data.

  














































































The other high tech data collection was done on this clipboard at the first station.















And there you have it - the inspection process.  Simple enough to pass, right?
The post-race inspection process involves the top 5 finishers, and another car randomly selected.  The cars are torn apart, which can mean teams are stuck at the track for hours after the finish of the race.  Stories abound of post-race inspections not finishing until 4 or 5 a.m.

Talladega Texts: Emails

Originally Posted on Foxsports on October 7, 2007.


Monday, October 1, 2007 7:32:34 p.m.
Happy,
I'd like to make a $10,000 donation to the "Wax Smoke Fund."  I figure it's the least I can do for the guy who knocked me out of the race yesterday. 
Carl


Monday, October 1, 2007 4:22:57 p.m.
Junior,
Hi!  Do you remember meeting me at Daytona a couple years ago?  Just wonderin' if we could get together sometime soon.
Text me!
Britney Spears
PS.  Do you still get free Bud?
PPS - Was 60 minutes really right about how much you make per year?


Monday, October 1, 2007 7:37:00 p.m.
Jacques,
Please don't take my comments personally.  I think you'll do fine in Nascar.  The issue is that your first race is at Talladega.  Talladega is not a kind track - have you watched the footage from Bobby Allison's crash?  Did you know that several drivers have died there testing? 
I know you need restrictor plate track experience before Daytona, but maybe you should start with Scott and Dario in the ARCA series.
Unless you're planning to help with Montoya, you'd be better off watching the race Sunday.  Montoya is a big moving chicane.  We don't need another one to worry about. 
Jeff


Monday, October 1, 2007 10:34:21 p.m.
JJ -
Thanks for saying I should have won yesterday.  What I don't get is why none of us was penalized if Biff was keeping a reasonable speed.  In fact, didn't you pass me at the end under the caution?
Clint


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 9:10:08 a.m.
Bumgarner,
I don't understand how we passed the pre-race inspection and then failed the post-race inspection with the manifold. 
At least we found out before Sunday.  That would have been a disaster.
So Knaus was in the garage when you left Friday night?
Kyle


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 2:04:22 p.m.
Bill -
I don't understand why Montoya was welcomed with opened arms and I'm not.  I mean, my credentials are even better - I'm an F1 Champ! 
What do I need to do?  Gordon is clearly upset, and he's the calm one of the bunch!  I don't even want to know what that hot-head Stewart thinks.
JV


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 11:34:50 p.m.
Kurt,
Thank you for your kind words.  I'm holding up pretty good, even though the rehearsal schedule is horrible!  It's worse than the Indy 500 for endurance!
I sure will put in a good word for you with the producers.  Why wouldn't they want a former Nascar Champ as a contestant?   I'd hate for those dance lessons for your wedding last year to go to waste!
Helio


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 6:43:24 p.m.
Humpy
Of course I'm serious about moving the track if the City won't let me build the drag strip!
Curtis & I built this.  And I can tear it down.
I plan to tell them that at the meeting.
Bruton


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 2:34:12 p.m.
Denny,
I don't think we've met, but I heard about you from Paris.
Let me put it this way:  Anything she can do, I can do better.
Text Me!
Britney Spears


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 4:32: 08 p.m.
Kyle -
Big congrats on the M&M deal!  I loved that sponsorship. 
Enjoy!
Elliott


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 7:23:34 p.m.
Shrub,
I expect chocolate stocked everywhere next year.
Don't forget my motorhome.
Congrats on the new sponsor.
Smoke


Thursday, October 4, 2007 7:23:34 a.m.
Bushy -
What's up with the Cubs?  When you get up (don't even pretend you didn't stay up all night watching the game), call me.
Newman


Thursday, October 4, 2007 4:52:29 p.m.
Dario,
I'm sure if you want to meet the team you should be able to do that tomorrow.  We'll all be there for practice.  And if there's anything you need, let me know.
David Stremme
PS:  Will your wife be coming to the track with you?


Friday, October 5, 2007 10:34:33 a.m.
Pam,
I'd love to be able to come to your wedding in Vegas tomorrow night, but my schedule makes that impossible.  But, I should be able to host you and your new husband at the track anytime. 
And no, I haven't had any more problems with videotapes.
Smoke


Friday, October 5, 2007 6:43:22 p.m.
Kasey,
Hi!  Remember me?  I think we met a few years ago.  Paris was talking about you.
We agree that you are SO cute.
Text me!
Britney Spears
PS - Have you already started to get free Bud?


Saturday, October 6, 2007 10:23:53 a.m.
Richie  -
Man, you gave us a scare!  I hope you are home resting and getting better.  Sorry you won't be able to see Tony Jr and I win tomorrow.  We'll bring you the trophy!
Junior


Saturday, October 6, 2007 8:42:44 p.m.
Mikey -
You should have the selected dates from UPS.  We think a modified schedule will let me ease into the booth and not have to worry about qualifying every week.
Congrats on the pole.  You look good up there.
Dale


Saturday, October 6, 2007 9:00:03 p.m.
Denny,
JD updated me about the parking.  Tony last week and now you. 
I trust that you will make up for it tomorrow.
Let's talk Monday morning at 8:30 a.m.
Joe


Sunday, October 7, 2007 6:11:47 p.m.
Sorry for the global e-mail - my tire went flat. 
Wish I hadn't collected so many Chasers, but I'm glad everyone was OK.
What was the deal with the hyper security before the race?
Bobby


Sunday, October 7, 2007 7:20:00 p.m.
Richard & Teresa -
We don't have any idea why there were so many engine failures.  It will take some time in the shop to figure out.  It is likely a component that wasn't machined properly.
There is no truth to the rumor that we had a break-in in the garage last night.
I'll keep you updated.
Bill


Sunday, October 7, 2007 8:04:01 p.m.
Mom,
I tried to make tea, and we are completely out of sugar.  Even the extra bag from the pantry is gone.  Could you stop and get some?
Love, Taylor Nicole

Kansas: The Emails

Originally Posted on Foxsports on October 2, 2007.


September 24, 2007 8:34:43 a.m.
Casey,
Thanks for taking one for the team yesterday.  I assure you I won't forget it, and you will be paid back for it soon.  I don't like issuing team orders, but sometimes there is no choice.  Know that both Jeff and Jimmie are aware of  what you did.
Rick

September 26, 2007 5:32:27 p.m.
Casey - I can't believe Kyle hasn't called to thank you yet.  He's probably still ticked that he can't come to the team meetings.
God forbid one of us or Junior bumps into him in the next few races.  He'll go off on a rant like you can't believe about how its all a conspiracy.
C Ya- JJ

September 28, 2007 7:23:11 p.m.
JV -
 Don't get too comfy there as the latest F1 import.
I'll see you at Talladega - ON the track.
Scott Speed
PS - Are you going to talk to Montoya or just ignore him like before?

September 29, 2007 8:54:26 a.m.
Mr. Helton:
How can Nascar think that letting a driver run at Talladega who hasn't ever driven a stock car is a good idea?  He's barely driven an oval in a decade!
There are twelve of us running for a Championship, and we already have to dodge over-eager teammates, beer cans, cars that barely make speed and Juan Pablo.
I can only hope the plan is that Villenueve won't qualify or "fails" post-qualifying inspection.  
Jeff Gordon

September 29, 2007 1:01:04 p.m.
JD  -
If you saw the final practice you saw that the car improved.  You probably also saw that Smoke had a small incident in the garage area with an ESPN camera crew.  Nascar has confiscated the tape, and the rumor is that penalties may follow.
The line forms behind the crew.
Zippy

September 29, 2007 5:45 p.m.
Joe,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.  I'm sorry.
I didn't know the cameras were live!
I'm sure everything will be taken care of by tomorrow.
Do we really need to get together to discuss this on Monday?
Tony

September 30, 2007 10:34:56 p.m.
Kyle,
I'll buy the fries this week.  It's the least I can do for the guy who beat the guy who took me out of the race.
Carl

September 30, 2007 10:56:35 p.m.
Greg,
Congrats on the win!  Sorry I missed it, but I left, certain that the race was going to be canceled.  How appropriate that the duck won that one!
Jack

September 30, 2007 11:17:20
Jimmie - I can't believe you called it with Kyle and Junior!
Do you think Nascar will rethink that finish?  There's no way that Biff had gas left.  Wonder if they looked at that in the post-race inspection?
Casey

October 1, 2007 2:34:32 a.m.
Tony,
Let me be the first to offer ESPN's sincere apologies for the garage incident at Kansas.  The cameramen were just anxious to catch what you and Robby were talking about; they didn't mean to invade your private conversation.
Secondly, we did have significant damage to at least two cameras in your car.  I must say it was the first time the in-car camera was completely demolished.  Well, except for that minor damage that time you "relocated" the camera during the race.
Let's just call it even.  OK?
Jerry Punch

October 1, 2007 7:34:26 a.m.
Roger,
Thanks for the words of encouragement about my ARCA start at Talladega.  Ashley & I would love to have dinner at your motorhome on Thursday night.
Dario
PS:  Tell Helio that he is doing fantastic on Dancing.  Ash & I can't wait to see how he does tonight!

October 1, 2007 8:02:21 a.m.
Tony,
I can only imagine how frustrated you are about the whole Kansas race situation.  Let's use this as an opportunity to work through those anger management issues again.  I have time to talk with you on the phone tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.  Please confirm.
Dr. Kris
P.S. I already have e-mails about  you from Helton and Gibbs.

October 1, 2007 8:44:58 a.m.
Red -
I can't get to the pond until late Tuesday at the earliest.  Joe wants to meet today and Helton wants to talk about a few things too.  My anger management doctor/coach wants a call tomorrow.
I probably should call Kurt, Martin, and Carl.
ESPN is bugging me and everyone at Gibbs for an interview.  As if.
Smoke

Wet, Wild & Wacky Weekend at Kansas: Or What Else Could Go Wrong

Originally Posted on Foxsports on October 1, 2007.



I'm back from a crazy weekend at Kansas.

First, let me set the scene by telling you that the weather forecast since mid-week was for rain on Sunday.  As the race date approached, forecasters targeted the storm to move through between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., however, by Saturday night, the time had shifted to 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the possibility of severe weather (which in the midwest means hail, strong, damaging winds, and possibly a tornado).  Sunday morning brought the same forecast - rain mid-afternoon.

So, what does Nascar do?  Start the race late.  Storm clouds were gathering, and the  powers that be were running around the track every vehicle owned by every sponsor known to Nascar.  Yes, even the dalmation got to ride around the track.

Fans around me decided they were stalling the start in hopes it would rain out.


However, after apparently running out of vehicles to showcase, Nascar started the race.










And 13 laps later had to stop the race because of rain.  It rained just enough to get things wet.  In fact, I never left my seat and about 1/2 the crowd stayed in the stands.  It took time to dry the track, but the winds probably did more to dry the track than the blowers.  Nascar never did run the blowers down pit lane, but it dried.



After this delay, the race resumed.  The racing was good, and there were several battles for the lead, including this one between Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, and Matt Kenseth.













 
Meanwhile, the sky was looking more and more ominous.  When half-way was reached, many of the cars decided to pit.  Greg Zipadelli told Stewart that the rain was coming and to conserve fuel.  The tower was polling officials in each corner constantly to see if it was raining.







When the rain came, it wasn't a sprinkle - it started as a harder rain than before that progressed quickly to a downpour.  Fans scattered out of the stands, and announcements were made that fans should find shelter as there was severe weather in the area.


 When it finally stopped raining, which took around 45 minutes, Nascar decided to dry the track and race.  This was a questionable decision as there was NO WAY they could complete the advertised distance (or even the shortened distance) before night fell.  Plus, a large number of fans had left because they were soaked during the storm and there hadn't been room to take cover under the grandstand for all 80,000+ fans.




Eventually, drivers were returned to their cars and one lap was taken to clear pit road and open the pits for fuel.  Then the pits were closed and the blowers were sent down pit lane.  There were still wet spots on the apron and on the pit out road.

When the race resumed, there were numerous caution flags (Schrader-Kenseth-Truex crash; Stewart-Edwards-Busch crash; and Montoya tire).  When the caution came out for the Montoya tire issue, the Tower intended to have a quicky yellow.  However, the drivers, spotters and crew chiefs were registering complaints about the darkness to their pit officials.   The pace car driver notified the Tower that the entire backstretch would have to be blown off due to the shredded tire debris.  Thus, the clean up would take several laps and darkness was falling fast.
Add to this the fact that the parking areas were minimally lit for fans to find and return to their cars, and you suddenly get the picture why the race was called without a green-white-checkered.




This photo was taken after the checkered flag with Biffle in the grass. It was already getting dark.







And this was the score tower approximately 15 minutes later, which is about the amount of time it would have taken to complete the clean-up and run a green-white-checker.

Intercepted Nascar Emails

Originally Posted on Foxsports on September 26, 2007.


Saturday, September 1, 2007 7:48:02 a.m.
Kyle - Just a quick note about the Toyota thing.  Please, Please, Please don't mention it again.  We want to do a big roll out, and we're concerned about how your current employer and the other Chevy guys will take it.  We'd like to win a Championship, and I'm sure you personally would too.  Let's not sink the ship before it's time.  Give me a call if you have any questions.   J.D.
PS - DO NOT MENTION THE M&M DEAL!!!
PPS - If this is the worst thing you ever do, it's no big deal.  I mean, we've dealt with Tony for how long?!?

Sunday, September 9, 2007 5:02:34 a.m.
Bro - I don't know what else we can do to help him out.  I mean we added two drivers to the Chase to make it easier for him to get in, and he still doesn't make it.  Ratings will plummet unless he wins a race this year.  Any ideas who the new sponsor will be?  Frankly I think Bud is out of their freaking mind to let him go.  But then again, they're also walking out of the Busch series deal.  Well, this latest debacle has driven me to drink too.  Any luck with the football team plan?  Sis
PS  - Rumor has it that Smith is trying to buy NHIS.  Sucker.  Like we'll let him move another race, especially to  Vegas.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 10:23:58 p.m.
Jade - I know I'm moving on from Budweiser, but do you think they'll keep stocking my cooler?  I won't have a beer or liquor sponsor.   I promise to show up once and a while with an old hat or T-shirt.  Thanks for checking for me.  Junior

Saturday, September 15, 2007 6:33:09 p.m.
Champ - Don't worry about failing to qualify at NHIS.  Sometimes it takes a while to get the hang of qualifying, and there are a lot of fast cars that don't make the show each week.  We'll see if it works to add a race later this season.  RP

Monday, September 17, 2007 1:37:55 a.m.
Clint - Congratulations on the win!!  Once I'm back, we'll celebrate in style - that first win is a big deal.  Earnhardt always wanted to go hunting, but we'll figure out what you'd like to do.  Do you think you'll have time to help Austin out again at the dirt track?   Don't let Harvick talk you into anything!  If all goes well, I should have some yak steak to celebrate with by the end of this week.  Enjoy the sponsor in your victory celebration.  Richard

Tuesday, September 18, 2007 8:30:04 p.m.
Kasey - Congrats on the Bud sponsorship.  It is awesome!  If you enjoy it half as much as I have, you will think you've died and gone to heaven.  I have to say, I'm delighted it didn't stay with my step-mother's company.  Karma, I guess.  Junior
PS - If you happen to have any "extra" Bud, I'd be glad to take it off your hands!

Saturday, September 22, 2007 6:23:22 p.m.
Champ - Don't worry about failing to qualify at NHIS  Dover.  Sometimes it takes a while to get the hang of qualifying, and there are a lot of fast cars that don't make the show each week.  We'll see if it works to add a race later this season.  RP

Sunday, September 23, 2007  11:08:43 p.m.
Hammy,   I told you that regardless what happens on the track, the garage stall is SACRED!  How could you let Kyle walk into your garage stall, flip your visor, and scold you like a toddler?!  Are you a man or a mouse?  I'd never take that from another competitor.  In fact, I've had scuffles with Jeff and Robby Gordon when they tried to walk INTO my garage stall to continue an argument.  You need to work on that - I mean the Petty Golden Boy will hardly even draw a PENALTY for it.  Quit worrying about the anger management courses - they're a breeze.  And it's not like Joe or JD will take you to task for it.  You're a proven winner.  Smoke.

Sunday September 23, 2007 11:10:00 p.m.
Kyle - Denny Hamlin?!?  I mean, can't you talk to someone who needs it like Juan Pablo Montoya?!?   Happy

Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:12:02 p.m.
Muscle Man - Heard about your height problem.  Don't let this get you down - Nascar may take some points, but you can do what I haven't done - win the Championship.  Nascar took a bunch of points from me once, and I lost the Championship.  I always figured it was a way to get back at Jack.  But I think they are over that now.  In any event, I'm calling you out again - keep winning and prove them wrong.  Your car looked great today.  MM

Sunday September 23, 2007 11:15 p.m.
Kyle - Flipping open his visor?  That was classic!  My teammate didn't have any idea what to do about it.  I don't think they'll even touch you with a penalty.  It looked like a father lecturing a son.  Maybe you should try it next weekend on Montoya!  Smoke.

Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:44:17 p.m.
Mr. Petty, Thank you for finally doing to Denny Hamlin what should have been done a long time ago - put him in his place.  He obviously didn't take it well, but he needs to learn the world doesn't revolve around him.  Thanks again, Kristin Buntain, his ex-girlfriend

Sunday September 23, 2007 11: 48:41
KP - Can we get together and discuss what happened with Hamlin?  I just don't understand what happened there - it would never happen like that in Formula One.  Should I be doing that in the garage when people cause me to crash?  Give me a call.  Thank you.  JPM

Edwards' Car Too Low: Penalties on the Way?

Originally Posted on Foxsports on September 23, 2007.



Carl Edwards' Dover winning car failed the post race inspection.  Reports indicate that the right rear is over  the 1/2 inch tolerance too low.  Nascar allowed the team to let the car settle (as all cars failing inspection are allowed to do), but the car was the same illegal height.  The car was then confiscated by Nascar.


Opinions vary as to whether the height issue will result in a points penalty.  As it does not appear that the issue is a "COT Tinkering" problem, Nascar is unlikely to penalize the Roush car too severely.  However, Nascar does have a history of disproportionally penalizing Jack Roush's cars, so anything is possible.  (See Mark Martin penalty that cost him the Championship a decade or so ago). 


Edwards attributes the height violation to the "love tap" Greg Biffle gave him after he took the checkers.  Edwards believes the brackets inside the decklid were bent due to the contact.  He also noted that the height tolerance was the wrong direction - crew chiefs want the right rear to be high, not low.


Interestingly enough, last week, Tony Stewart's car failed inspection but Nascar deemed the height tolerace was not met due to damage on the car during the race.  No penalties were given. 


Will Edwards get the same break? Or will the draconian COT penalties affect the Chase standings?

Gordon vs. Stewart: Is Stewart Thwarting Gordon's Drive for Five?

Originally Posted on Foxsports on September 19, 2007.


Jeff Gordon is a four time Cup Champion, currently comfortably perched in second place in the all time wins column.  Tony Stewart is a two time Cup Champion, currently the only driver to win under both the "old" format and the "new" Chase format.


Arguably, they are the two best drivers in the Cup series today.  In any event, the pair are the only active drivers with more than one Championship.
This year, they are both finally back in the Championship Title hunt at the same time.  In 2005, Gordon missed the Chase, while last year, Stewart missed out. 


In February, 2006, I wrote a blog about how Stewart's success possibly was hindering Gordon's winning a fifth Championship. 


In short, these are the facts:  Gordon's last Championship came in 2001.  Since then, he has not finished higher in the Championship points than 3rd.   Stewart, during that same time period, has won it all twice, and finished second to Gordon in 2001.   Both spent one season outside the top 10 due to their failure to make the Chase.  Both regularly win more than one race each season.   
Prior to Stewart's Cup debut in 1999, Gordon had a hot streak going:  from 1996 to 1998,  he won at least 10 races each year (with a 13 win season in 1998) and he had over 21 top five finishes in each of those years.  Since 1999, the most wins Gordon could put together in a season was 7 and the most top 5 finishes is 18.  In the 1992-1998 seasons, Gordon amassed 3 Cup trophies, 42 wins, 100 top 5 finishes, and 123 top ten finishes.


However, this is how their careers compare since 1999. 
                  Gordon                        Stewart
Wins                37                              32 
Top 5's           128                              116
Top 10's         185                              185
Chmps          2001                            2002, 2005
Top 5 pt fin.     4                                   4
(Stats in above chart from Nascar Scene, Mike Hembree, and through first 26 races of this year)




Granted, several other talented drivers have regularly won during this timeframe (Think:  Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Kurt and Kyle Busch, and Ryan Newman). 


But Gordon's momentum cooled at the time Stewart arrived on the scene, in 1999.  Did the wheels fall off Gordon's car then as the result of losing chief wizard, er, crew chief Ray Evernham?  Or was it Stewart's aggressive style that hindered Gordon's Drive for Five?


Regardless if you love or hate Gordon, or love or hate Stewart, these two giants have the potential to gin up viewership and amp up the rivalry.    The race at Louden gave a taste of what could be coming as these two tussle over every position.


So, is this the year that the two actually go head to head again for the Championship?


I, for one, would love to see it happen. 


After all, who can forget the 2005 love tap at Dover or the 2001 pit road spin at Bristol?  Or the Watkins Glen crash and conference in the garage in 2000?  Or even the twin spins at Watkins Glen this year? 


And this time, I think Stewart better look out on the confrontations in the garage - remember the Matt Kenseth shove at Bristol last year?  Gordon means business.  But then, so does Stewart.