Keys for Success — Brickyard 400

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SM Staff

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July 30, 2011

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Dodge Motorsports PR

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Brickyard 400

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

KEYS FOR SUCCESS: Brickyard 400

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (Saturday, July 30, 2011) – Each race weekend, selected Dodge Motorsports engineers, Penske Racing engineers and crew chiefs, drivers or engine specialists give their insight on the ‘Keys for Success’ for the upcoming race. This week, Howard Comstock, Dodge Motorsports Engineering, provides the keys for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race.

Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Race 20 of 36 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series)

Race: Brickyard 400 (160 laps / 400 miles)

Trivia Question: The first race in Indiana in what is now the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was in 1950 at what track?

HOWARD COMSTOCK (Dodge Motorsports Engineering)

Track Position: “There are three keys for success at Indianapolis, track position, track position and track position. We’ve seen the No. 42 team have the dominant car the last two years. A pit road infraction likely cost them the race in 2009 and a four-tire pit call at the end of last year’s race likely cost them a chance at a win. It’s hard to pass at Indianapolis. It’s especially hard to pass in the closing stages of the race because of the track’s heat and the amount of oil and rubber built up on the racing surface. Teams will have to think long and hard about their pit strategy at the end of this race. It will determine their success.”

Late Green Flag Pit Stops: “While we’re talking about track position, the one thing that teams will be considering is that the lap times here are lengthy. If you’re close enough to the leader, you can duck into the pits under green, make the stop, return to the track and still be on the lead lap. That’s going to be an important element for teams to consider if the field is bunched up toward the end of the race and you need one more pit stop. If you’re close enough to the leader late in the race, you’re going to be able to treat this like a road course, stop under green and if the caution comes out, other cars will have to pit and you will be able to skip that stop and gain all that track position.”

Trivia Question Answer: Winchester Speedway, a .5-mile dirt track. The race, a 200-lap event, was won by Lloyd Moore. His winnings, $1,000.

Peters wins the NCWTS AAA Insurance 200 at LOR

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July 30, 2011

Timothy Peters passed James Buescher for the lead with six laps to go and went on to win Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) AAA Insurance 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway.

“I can’t say enough about the guys on this Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra in victory lane tonight. We had a tire coming apart. I spun out over here in turns one and two and came down pit road. Butch Hylton (crew chief) made a great call to put four tires on. But the guys do a phenomenal job. We had a little hiccup last week, but they made up for it this week. Like I said last week, I love my guys. They get me on and off pit road well.” Peters said.

[media-credit name=”Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]Peters started 16th and spun just before the halfway point when a tire went down. “I went down in the corner and I had good grip, and all of a sudden, I lost it.” Peters said.

But Peters battled back to second place with 20-laps remaining. He slowly closed the gap on Buescher and made the pass to win what might be the final truck series race at the speedway. “I was trying to be patient, trying to be patient with the throttle, and it paid off.” Peters said. “I hope that they bring the trucks back here, and I hope that I’m not the last winner here. But if they do take it away, I can sit back home in my La-Z-Boy one day, retired, and say I won the last race there. That’s pretty cool.”

Buescher led 97 laps and finished second, David Starr third, rookie Miguel Paludo tied his best-career finished, fourth (Daytona in February) and Ron Hornaday finished fifth.

“We were running good sometimes and something happens. I’m really proud of my guys. We’re a little bit off in practice, like three-tenths and they made changes. It was better for qualifying and race trim was a tick better. Our first pit, Rick (Gay, crew chief) did an awesome call and we were good — we were really consistent. Congrats to Timothy (Peters) for the win and our two (Red Horse Racing) trucks in the top-four is pretty good.” Paludo said.

Johnny Sauter leads the series standings by 4-points over Austin Dillon.

The series heads to Pocono Raceway on August 6th for the Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service 125.

Unofficial Race Results
AAA Insurance 200, Lucas Oil Raceway
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/truckseries/race.php?race=13
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Pos.	St.	No.	Driver	Make	Points
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1	16	17	Timothy Peters	Toyota	47
2	7	31	James Buescher	Chevrolet	44
3	12	81	David Starr	Toyota	41
4	17	7	Miguel Paludo *	Toyota	40
5	5	33	Ron Hornaday	Chevrolet	39
6	8	88	Matt Crafton	Chevrolet	38
7	3	22	Joey Coulter *	Chevrolet	37
8	9	60	Cole Whitt *	Chevrolet	36
9	1	3	Austin Dillon	Chevrolet	36
10	15	66	Ross Chastain	Chevrolet	34
11	6	29	Parker Kligerman *	Dodge	34
12	18	5	Todd Bodine	Toyota	33
13	19	32	Steve Arpin	Chevrolet	31
14	11	8	Nelson Piquet Jr. *	Chevrolet	30
15	22	92	Clay Rogers	Chevrolet	29
16	10	62	Brendan Gaughan	Toyota	28
17	13	20	Johanna Long *	Toyota	27
18	29	9	Max Papis	Toyota	26
19	27	4	Ricky Carmichael	Chevrolet	25
20	24	6	Justin Lofton	Toyota	24
21	21	98	Dakoda Armstrong	Chevrolet	23
22	25	18	Josh Richards	Toyota	22
23	4	13	Johnny Sauter	Chevrolet	22
24	2	2	Elliott Sadler	Chevrolet	0
25	28	101	Jake Crum	Chevrolet	19
26	14	23	Jason White	Chevrolet	18
27	32	296	Todd Peck	Chevrolet	0
28	26	63	Jack Smith	Ford	16
29	20	39	Ryan Sieg	Chevrolet	15
30	34	7	Ricky Moxley	Chevrolet	14
31	33	57	Norm Benning	Chevrolet	13
32	36	10	Jennifer Jo Cobb	Ford	0
33	30	142	Tommy Joe Martins	Dodge	11
34	35	100	Brad Queen	Chevrolet	10
35	23	93	Shane Sieg	Chevrolet	9
36	31	138	Mike Garvey	Chevrolet	8

F1 – Hungarian G.P. Preview

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SM Staff

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July 30, 2011

The 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship enters its ‘second half’ as teams and drivers arrive in Hungary for round 11 of the 19-race calendar.

CHEVY NSCS AT THE BRICKYARD – Clint Bowyer Press Conference Transcript

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SM Archive

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July 29, 2011

Frank Kimmel Finishes 12th in the Ansell Protective Gloves 200

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SM Archive

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July 29, 2011

Montoya Says He Won’t Apologize While Johnson Doesn’t Want to Hear It

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SM Staff

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July 29, 2011

Juan Pablo Montoya said he doesn’t believe he owes Jimmie Johnson an apology but should he see him he’ll offer one anyway.

[media-credit name=”Barry Albert” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]The reason is that two weeks ago in New Hampshire the two again made contact, which Johnson again got the worst off as he spun. Montoya told Johnson’s crew chief Chad Knaus he was sorry but thought he left Johnson plenty of room.

Friday in Indianapolis Johnson didn’t hold back, saying he was tired of his run-ins with Montoya and he was especially tired of hearing the same two words over and over again. According to the five-time and defending Sprint Cup Series champion, enough is enough.

“Definitely upset,” said Johnson. “What it really boils down to, I don’t feel at least two of the three things that have happened are intentional, they were racing instances. But there’s a point where you’ve got to respect the people you’re racing around and also respect a driver you have had some run-ins with.”

This isn’t the first time that Montoya and Johnson have run into each other. Last August in Bristol, Montoya hooked Johnson in the right rear and sent the 48 head on into the backstretch wall. This past May, Montoya spun Johnson entering turn one after Johnson had passed him down the frontstretch at Darlington.

It was that incident where Johnson could at least offer a smile while revealing how Montoya apologized.

“I’m in my motorhome showering, he walked into my bus and into my shower to apologize,” said Johnson. “Then he told me I’m naked. I said, ‘Of course I am, I’m in the shower.’ There’s some times when you can understand, but after three times being turned around, hearing ‘I’m sorry,’ it can’t happen.”

As far as Johnson’s concerned, Montoya can hold his apologies going forward. He knows that every time the two are around each other he gets the short end of the stick, just as he did in New Hampshire. While he didn’t sustain any damage and was able to rebound for a fifth place finish, Johnson said the accident put him in a bad position.

“Juan and I have a friendship, we get along great,” Johnson said. “After three times of me getting turned around, hearing apologies, I’m tired of hearing apologies. I don’t want the contact; I don’t want to be raced that way. We can do it for different parts of the race but towards the end of an event I find myself spun around. I’ve certainly had my fair share. It certainly can’t happen again.”

They’ll most likely talk sometime soon Johnson believes, because they always do. Except just as Johnson is done hearing apologies, Montoya is done talking and said that the only reason he would apologize is for his own good.

“You don’t want to have problems with people here that you don’t need to,” said Montoya. “It’s to avoid future confrontations. It’s being smart.”

If Johnson was asked he’d probably say if Montoya were smart they wouldn’t be in their current situation. Instead, the two are at odds in their opinions of what actually happened. Johnson believes he again got hit for no reason while Montoya believes Johnson did it to himself.

“If you really look at it he had plenty of race track at the bottom,” said Montoya. “So, do I apologize? No. I think the other time that I hit him he actually run into the wall and I decided not to hit the wall and hit him. It all depends on how you see it. His point of view and my point of view are very different.”

Matty’s Picks Vol. 11 – Indianapolis – July 31, 2011

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SM Staff

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July 29, 2011

Its time for the Brickyard! The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series makes its annual stop at the one and only racing facility to be designated a National Historic Landmark. IMS was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, so as everyone knows IMS boasts a plethora of racing history.

[media-credit name=”Indianapolismotorspeedway.com” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Following the drivers and teams this week via Twitter has really opened my eyes as to how much the drivers really enjoy the once-a-year trip to Indianapolis.

After spending his off week in France, Jimmie Johnson tweeted Wednesday “It’s one of a few tracks where you truly feel the history of motorsports.” This was one of the infinite number of comments about traveling to IMS this weekend, all eager to strap in and get on the track today.

10-Pick Recap

During my week off from Matty’s Picks, I was able to compile the results of the 10 previous race weekends that I have submitted picks for. I have actually made 15 ‘Winner Picks’ so far this season (including the Sprint Showdown, All-Star Race, All Star Race – Fan Favorite, Indy 500 and occasional Camping World Truck Series, and Nationwide Series Winner Picks). By the numbers:

Winner Picks
4 – Wins
5 – Top 5’s
1 – Top 10’s
4 – Outside Top 10 picks worth zero points
6.8 – Average finish

It’s been since June 19th that I have gone without a Winner Pick in the Top 10, stringing together 6-straight, with just one finish outside the Top 5. My current hot streak of Winner Picks includes two wins – both at Kentucky Speedway and both courtesy of Kyle Busch.

Dark Horse Picks
0 – Wins
2 – Top 5’s
2 – Top 10’s
6 – Outside Top 10 worth zip
16.1 – Average finish

When I compiled the numbers, I thought initially that my Dark Horse average was less than impressive – with an average finish of 16.1. I went back and examined some similar numbers such as Jimmie Johnson’s Career average finish of 11.7, Dale Jr’s average finish this season at 14.0, and even Fireball Roberts’ career average finish of 13.2 and determined that if I want to become the ‘Nostradamus of NASCAR’, I’ve still got some work to do.

All in all, I am not having a bad rookie season of Matty’s Picks but there is surely some room for improvement – particularly with my Dark Horse picks. I am excited to begin re-visiting tracks for the second time in the 2011 Sprint Cup Schedule, with the goal of learning from my mistakes earlier in the season.

Brickyard 400 Picks

Closely examining historical statistics this week for both my Dark Horse and Winner Picks, I have decided to follow the Chevrolet trend at IMS. With the last 8 races being won by a driver in a Chevrolet in Indianapolis, the stats speak for themselves. Furthermore, 12 of the 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Races at the Brickyard have been won by Chevys. How can I bet against them?

Dark Horse Pick

My Dark Horse Pick this week has drank the milk in Victory Lane at IMS, but has never felt the warm rubber and salty taste of the Yard of Bricks against his lips.

He led 86 laps last year and a record-setting 116 laps in 2009, the most ever by any non-winner at Indianapolis. In the 2009 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, Juan Pablo Montoya was running away with victory, leading 90 of 91 laps when a pit-road speeding penalty crushed all chances of victory. Last Year, Montoya lead a race-high 85 laps before a collision with Dale Jr on lap 146 ended his chances for victory in a stock-car at IMS.

With his storied history at IMS, Montoya seems more like a Winner Pick to me this week, but never having won on an oval, JPM qualifies for my Dark Horse pick for purposes of this column. The 2000 Indy 500 winner has victory within his grasp this year and will break through for his first oval win of his stock car racing career on Sunday.

Winner Pick

After compiling the data, I must admit that I am astounded that in 15 Winner Picks, I have not picked him as the winner yet. (Already making strides at becoming ‘The Nostradamus of NASCAR’) This is probably why my Winner Pick average is not inside the Top 5…

My goal this week is to earn some brownie points with my girlfriend by picking her favorite driver; and not by coincidence is he more deserving of a Winner Pick this week.

Jimmie Johnson has compiled 3 wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, winning all 3 in the past 5 races. He started second last year, and judging by his practice speeds, Ol’ 5-Time will have a decent starting spot again this year at a track where the race-winner averages a starting spot of 9.4. Only 3 times has the winner of the Brickyard 400 come from the 20th starting spot or worse, meaning IMS does not foster a fair amount of passing.

Following the moderate blow up at New Hampshire, Chad Knaus has the #48 crew whipped into shape and ready to go mistake-free on Sunday afternoon. Watch for the #48 team to redeem themselves from their mishaps at Loudon and help to put Jimmie Johnson in Victory Lane at the Brickyard.

I do enjoy following @JimmieJohnson on #Twitter. I’ve learned by following him about a 3-drink Twitter rule imposed on him, which I’ve found he tends to violate from time to time. If you don’t follow Jimmie or don’t have a Twitter account, I suggest you look into it as it adds a bit of a joy to my life.

It’s a little tough picking against a guy that has won 4 times and holds records for most wins (4), most poles (3), most Top 5’s (9), most Top 10’s (13), and most laps led (440) in Jeff Gordon (thanks for the advice Uncle Ed, but you can only lead a horse to water). But, I have gained my brownie points for the week and will be interested to see the comments from the few “regular” Matty’s Picks readers I do have.

I am excited to start the stretch towards the Chase and improve upon my less than impressive stats as ‘The Nostradamus of NASCAR’.

Until next time…You stay classy NASCAR NATION!