pandr
10-23-2011, 06:09 PM
There are reasons it's called a 'wild card'
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Anything can happen in a Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Anything can happen during any lap.
Even in any turn.
Even in the next 100 yards.
“You could see the checkered flag and be leading this race and still have no clue what is going to happen,” said Carl Edwards, who leads the series standings entering Sunday's Good Sam Club 500.
“There is no telling what is going to happen and I would be lying to you if I said I enjoyed it,” he said. “There is no point in dreading it or dwelling on the things you wish it could be like.
“You just have to go out and do it.”
This weekend, NASCAR will attempt to do it a little differently.
The two-car drafting that has become commonplace at restrictor-plate tracks first appeared in limited form at this race a year ago.
In the first three restrictor-plate races this season, the tandems have dominated the racing at Daytona and Talladega – something many race fans have voiced their displeasure over.
NASCAR officials adopted some rule changes this weekend, hoping they could alter the dynamics of the racing. The restrictor-plates were increased in size slightly, which should boost speeds, and the pressure-relief valve on the cars' cooling systems were recalibrated in hopes it would prevent cars from remaining locked in the two-car drafts for extended periods.
With no testing prior to this weekend, teams had little idea how the changes would affect the racing. However, in two practice sessions on Friday, there seemed to be little change.
“It wasn't much different except for we are all nervous about blowing water out of the radiator,” Edwards said. “I think you will see more switching (between pusher and the car being pushed), and that is the only thing I can see from my seat.”
Increased swapping of positions worries some drivers.
“I think swapping more causes more incidents and opportunities to really get in the back of one another because the closing rate is so fast, especially if guys start doing it in the middle of the pack,” Jeff Gordon said.
“I think while (NASCAR) took steps here toward not having the two-car draft, we've learned too much and we know that it works and we're going to do everything we can to continue to make it work until we get to each other's bumpers and we spin one another out.
“That's when we stop doing it. Then, we'll still do it down the straightaway.”
But even if nothing changes in how the two-car draft works, Talladega lends itself to producing some of NASCAR's biggest surprises and unexpected results.
That's in large part why the fall race at Talladega has been labeled as the “wild card” race since the Chase for the Cup format debuted in 2004.
Between 2004 and 2007, the Chase leader entering Talladega lost points each time – three times falling out of the points lead.
In the past three seasons, however, eventual champion Jimmie Johnson increased his points lead in the Talladega race.
“You just have to take it one lap at a time and try to be precise about your plan during the race,” said Kevin Harvick, who trails Edwards by five points.
“When you have a gut feeling that something is going to happen, you have to do what you think is right to preserve your car and do the things to keep yourself around until the end of the race.
“It's kind of a guessing game.”
C/P thats racin
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Anything can happen in a Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Anything can happen during any lap.
Even in any turn.
Even in the next 100 yards.
“You could see the checkered flag and be leading this race and still have no clue what is going to happen,” said Carl Edwards, who leads the series standings entering Sunday's Good Sam Club 500.
“There is no telling what is going to happen and I would be lying to you if I said I enjoyed it,” he said. “There is no point in dreading it or dwelling on the things you wish it could be like.
“You just have to go out and do it.”
This weekend, NASCAR will attempt to do it a little differently.
The two-car drafting that has become commonplace at restrictor-plate tracks first appeared in limited form at this race a year ago.
In the first three restrictor-plate races this season, the tandems have dominated the racing at Daytona and Talladega – something many race fans have voiced their displeasure over.
NASCAR officials adopted some rule changes this weekend, hoping they could alter the dynamics of the racing. The restrictor-plates were increased in size slightly, which should boost speeds, and the pressure-relief valve on the cars' cooling systems were recalibrated in hopes it would prevent cars from remaining locked in the two-car drafts for extended periods.
With no testing prior to this weekend, teams had little idea how the changes would affect the racing. However, in two practice sessions on Friday, there seemed to be little change.
“It wasn't much different except for we are all nervous about blowing water out of the radiator,” Edwards said. “I think you will see more switching (between pusher and the car being pushed), and that is the only thing I can see from my seat.”
Increased swapping of positions worries some drivers.
“I think swapping more causes more incidents and opportunities to really get in the back of one another because the closing rate is so fast, especially if guys start doing it in the middle of the pack,” Jeff Gordon said.
“I think while (NASCAR) took steps here toward not having the two-car draft, we've learned too much and we know that it works and we're going to do everything we can to continue to make it work until we get to each other's bumpers and we spin one another out.
“That's when we stop doing it. Then, we'll still do it down the straightaway.”
But even if nothing changes in how the two-car draft works, Talladega lends itself to producing some of NASCAR's biggest surprises and unexpected results.
That's in large part why the fall race at Talladega has been labeled as the “wild card” race since the Chase for the Cup format debuted in 2004.
Between 2004 and 2007, the Chase leader entering Talladega lost points each time – three times falling out of the points lead.
In the past three seasons, however, eventual champion Jimmie Johnson increased his points lead in the Talladega race.
“You just have to take it one lap at a time and try to be precise about your plan during the race,” said Kevin Harvick, who trails Edwards by five points.
“When you have a gut feeling that something is going to happen, you have to do what you think is right to preserve your car and do the things to keep yourself around until the end of the race.
“It's kind of a guessing game.”
C/P thats racin