 |
|
Photo by Gregg
Arthur |
Charlotte, NC – Testing
has always been
important to NASCAR race
teams, but this week’s
unscheduled session at
Lowes Motor Speedway
seems to have played an
even more important
role. While one could
look at this as testing
for the upcoming
All-Star Challenge race
and the Memorial Day’
Coca Cola 600, many
teams used it as a way
to improve on their 1.5
mile track program.
Teams seem to still be
struggling with getting
a handle on the new car
body. As David Ragan
said, “this is going to
help bring all of the
teams closer together.
Goodyear doesn’t want to
get too aggressive with
the tire, due to
blistering, and as a
result, it has made
sessions like this even
more important.” With
Elliot Sadler and Jamie
Mc Murray leading the
speed boards, it is
evident that the desired
result was achieved.
As
a fan of racing though,
have you ever wondered
what exactly what takes
place during a testing
session? Testing is more
than just taking the car
out and running a few
laps to see what you can
do to improve it.
Walking through the
garage area, I was
amazed at the number of
laptop computers and
sensors. On race days,
you will normally see
the pit crews and few
support persons in the
garage. However, testing
is a time when engineers
are staring at laptop
computer and seeing what
effect the adjustments
they just made had. Cars
have so many sensors
strapped to them, it is
a wonder that drivers
can see out the
windshield. As one
engineer told me, “it
seems that we are
measuring a thousand
things at one time.”
 |
|
Photo by Gregg
Arthur |
Testing is also a time
for drivers and crew
chiefs to spend time
discussing the handling
of the cars in what
appears to be a more
relaxed atmosphere. It
is also a tiring day for
all involved. On Monday,
Tony Stewart was in his
car for over 5 hours.
The team would adjust
the car while Stewart
sat in the car, then it
was back to the track to
run laps and see if it
had any effect, then
back to the garage and
wait for more
adjustments. This
process goes on for
hours and while there
are scheduled meal
breaks where cars aren’t
allowed on the track,
the work and the reading
of the computers doesn’t
stop in the garage.
It
dawned on me this week
at Lowes of how much
NASCAR had changed since
the days of Cale
Yarborough, David
Pearson and Buddy Baker.
In the early days
drivers and their
‘teams’ would show up
with the car on a
trailer, pulled by a
pick-up truck with a
tool box and a few extra
tires. Those days are
definitely long gone.
You can
contact Greg at
coombse@speedwaymedia.com
The opinions expressed
on this site are not necessarily those of the publisher. All
comments other than website related problems need to be directed to
the author. Copyright 2000-2008 SpeedwayMedia.com.
More by
this author:
|
