B minus—and
I like the thing.
Obviously, the foam issue
needs to be addressed before the 2008 Car returns to the track. It is a serious issue - just ask Rick Mast, who was forced
into retirement from prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide from driving race cars with leaking exhaust. Toxic fumes are not
something to take lightly, and it is unfortunate that even one driver had to deal with that, much less several in two races.
But it is a relatively
minor design problem to deal with out of hundreds of new variables—all of which are scrutinized endlessly under the
unblinking coverage of the television camera.
The foam simply needs
to be replaced with another material—perhaps small steel shot type balls in a container or another form of non flammable
material needs to replace the foam—or the exhaust routing and/or shielding needs to be modified.
On the positive side,
the rear wing has proven to be a relatively solid piece—as could be seen by extensive rear damage on Tony Raines racecar—a
car that still finished on the lead lap.
Similarly, the splitters
have been a pleasant surprise, proving to be amazingly durable. The splitters have not had a problem grinding off on the track
and are not easily knocked off either, partially because they are below the bumper which absorbs most of the impact when contact
is made.
Most importantly was another
welcome aspect of the car as the Teams master it—the famous NASCAR style competition is back, and the finish at Martinsville
and the issues after the race were not about the car—but rather the hard fought and controversial battle between the
drivers!
All of which brings us
back to the battle of wits between the Hendrick Teammates, Johnson and Gordon.
When two cars are fighting
for position with one on the low side and one on the high, both drivers believe that they “own” the lead and it
deserves to be theirs. The car on the outside is strong coming off and the mindset is “I beat you off that turn and
this spot is mine”. Similarly, the car on the inside is up to his competitor’s door or more in the middle of the
turn—the preferred line, and that drivers belief is simple “This spot is now mine”. Interestingly, regardless
of who makes it into the next turn first, someone will feel as if something was stolen from them, which of course it will
indeed have been.
2006 StockCar Review.
