Dear Robby:
I think NASCAR tech did a segment on this but I (unfortunately) missed it-
how do the race teams account for the varying sizes of drivers while
maintaining consistency in the car weight? I mean, if you've got say, Kurt
Busch vs. Jimmy Spencer, you're talking a good 80-100 pound difference- and
it wouldn't be "fair" to let KB's team add various stuff to the car that
JS's couldn't just because he's so much bigger (since the cars have to
weigh the same in the end). I'm sure its a dumb question, but I am curious-
Signed,
Curious Casey
Dear Curious:
The actual rule states that each car must weigh 3400 pounds without the driver. So, the driver's weight is a big factor in determining what the car will weigh when it is on the track. The only way the teams can make up for having a heavier driver is to place his seat, and essentially him, as far back and left as possible to make up for their weight.
In Jimmy Spencer's case, the team showed up at Daytona with the seat mounted in the trunk next to the fuel filler. NASCAR disallowed it.
Dear Robby:
Racing at Bristol, where 20 cars wreck over a period of three hours, is good.
Racing at Daytona, where 20 cars wreck over a period of fifteen seconds, is bad.
Please explain.
Signed,
Nonplussed in New York
Dear plussed:
My friend Scott sums up restrictor plate races and the big one as follows:
It's like waiting for someone to get hit in the head with a baseball bat, you know it's coming, and you just wait and wait and then BLAM, there it is.
Speaking from experience and being hit in the head with a bat before, I would recommend helmets at all family reunions.
Dear Robby:
With everyone else having ideas for NASCAR people on game shows, I thought I'd join in on the fun. What do you think of Weakest Link, NASCAR style? Only instead of that pesky british host, someone like Tony Stewart could hurl out the insults. So, should I pitch it to network executives?
Signed,
Cracking Up in Kansas
Dear Cracking:
The Weakest Link, Millionaire, Fear Factor and others have all done celebrity editions and have only included one NASCAR person to my knowledge. Millionaire had Jeff Gordon on once and he was dumber than a stump. Actually, I take that back and apologize to any stumps that I may have offended.
Tony Stewart hosting The Weakest Link would probably be a great idea. It could consist of Gary Nelson, Mike Helton, Todd Bodine, Jimmy Spencer, A.J. Foyt, DW, Chris Myers and Me, Dear Robby!! All the questions would be based on NASCAR rules, history and stats.
As each player left the game, Tony would say things like:
(To Chris Myers) You are further proof that hairspray causes brain damage, Goodbye!
(To Mike Helton) You spoke over 500 words and didn't say a thing. No one has any clue what you are talking about, Goodbye!
(To Jimmy Spencer) Looks like Jimmy Spencer forgot, you are the weakest link, Goodbye!
(To Gary Nelson) Maybe you need a HANS device to keep your thoughts in your head, Goodbye!
(To Todd Bodine) Looks like you crashed out, once again. You are the weakest link, Goodbye!
(To A.J. Foyt) The show is over, go home and we will mail you a letter with your prize, Goodbye!
(To DW) You are the weakest Linkity Linkity Linkity, Goodbye!
And that would leave your winner as, ME!! I am the NASCAR Genius.
Dear Robby:
What is your opinion on NBC's 360° car?
Signed,
Famished for FOX
Dear Famished:
I think it is dangerous. Putting Wally Dallenbach out there in a Busch car, knowing that he will wreck and do several 360's is not a good idea. What kind of sick animals would do that to the other competitors?
That’s all for today….. see ya next week….
RobFaiella@InsideThePitBox.com
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