Friday, July 6, 2012
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Coke Zero 400
Daytona Int’l Speedway
Keys For Success
Dodge PR
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KEYS FOR SUCCESS: COKE ZERO 400
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Friday, July 6) – Each race weekend, SRT Motorsports Engineer Howard Comstock gives his insight on the ‘Keys for Success’ for the upcoming race. This week’s focus is on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
Track: Daytona International Speedway (Race 18 of 36 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series)
Race: Coke Zero 400 (160 laps / 400 miles)
Trivia Question: Richard Petty won his 200th career Sprint Cup Series win at the 1984 Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Who finished second? (Answer Below)
HOWARD COMSTOCK (SRT Motorsports Engineering)
Make ‘Em Count: “We saw it last night, people aren’t going to run laps until it counts. If that was the case in practice, then I think that’s the case for the race. People realize the potential danger here. We always claim that the summer race is all about handling and the winter race is more about speed. Well, we changed to the smaller spoilers for the winter race and that was fine. Now we’re at the summer race and it’s about handling and these cars with the smaller spoiler may be a handful. I think that will hold drivers back even more from making a bunch of moves until the end. But watch out at the end of the race, it’s going to be spectacular.”
Keep ‘Em Cool: “We saw some manufacturers struggle more in February with engine temperatures while others were fine. But believe me, they’ve worked on that issue since February and I think that it will be less of an issue in the race than people think.”
Tires: “Tires won’t be an issue. I don’t see people doing a lot of four-tire stops. It’s going to be about fuel mileage and making it to your next window. I think tires will be fine.”
Final 10: “I think the race will really pick-up with 25 (10 laps) miles to go. Ten laps to go may be too soon. You have to be in position with 10 laps to go and with five laps to go, you’re going to see drivers make their moves. Drivers waited too long in February to make their move. I don’t think that will happen on Saturday night.”
TRIVIA ANSWER: Harry Gant
