0 Ride Height ---The X Factor

If the assumptions about the '15 changes are correct, I think you may see a shift of power next year. Unbelievable how minimized the '14 changes were in determining who ran well.
 
Revman said:
If the assumptions about the '15 changes are correct, I think you may see a shift of power next year. Unbelievable how minimized the '14 changes were in determining who ran well.
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Just went through this thread for the first time and really enjoyed it. Nice to see fans with their thinking caps on instead of worshiping certain drivers. I worked on a local race car back in early 70's and was amazed at what just a different spring would do. I think Rusty Wallace ignored the car and was fixated on suspension only. Now the tires are a great part of the suspension. Poor teams are limited on the variety of parts available to them and so they have to rely on camber way to much.

I agree with those that believe certain drivers will excel with a loose car and other excel with a tight car. Poor Biffle NEEDS a lose car where as Junior hates it. 2014 was the year for tight drivers and I think 2015 will be the year for lose. Some drivers can drive both and I think these guys are the ones who have good seasons every year just that some are better when they have the car they prefer. I am going to put the Penske drivers into that mix. I also think that Chad and Jimmy where hungry for success and did what they had to do to be successful. I think now JJ demands what he wants in a car and isn't willing to get the best from his ride if he isn't happy. Success will do that to a driver.

There is so much that a driver can do to get an extra 1/10 out of his car but not that many are willing to do it. Lets face it, by the time they have raced for any top 5 team for 2 years they are set for life financially.

I am really anxious to see what 2015 has in store and what those changes will do for some drivers careers. I'll be keeping a watch on this thread to see what others opinions are.
 
Team Penske said:
Just went through this thread for the first time and really enjoyed it. Nice to see fans with their thinking caps on instead of worshiping certain drivers. I worked on a local race car back in early 70's and was amazed at what just a different spring would do. I think Rusty Wallace ignored the car and was fixated on suspension only. Now the tires are a great part of the suspension. Poor teams are limited on the variety of parts available to them and so they have to rely on camber way to much.

I agree with those that believe certain drivers will excel with a loose car and other excel with a tight car. Poor Biffle NEEDS a lose car where as Junior hates it. 2014 was the year for tight drivers and I think 2015 will be the year for lose. Some drivers can drive both and I think these guys are the ones who have good seasons every year just that some are better when they have the car they prefer. I am going to put the Penske drivers into that mix. I also think that Chad and Jimmy where hungry for success and did what they had to do to be successful. I think now JJ demands what he wants in a car and isn't willing to get the best from his ride if he isn't happy. Success will do that to a driver.

There is so much that a driver can do to get an extra 1/10 out of his car but not that many are willing to do it. Lets face it, by the time they have raced for any top 5 team for 2 years they are set for life financially.

I am really anxious to see what 2015 has in store and what those changes will do for some drivers careers. I'll be keeping a watch on this thread to see what others opinions are.
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Thanks for the post man. I would give my manly appendages just to sit down with an engineer to better understand what they do to address new rules packages and how they interface with driving styles. Although Champion Harvick and Childers do deserve to be celebrated for their success, this was not simply about a refreshed driver and crew chief brilliance IMO. The rules package played heavily into the Champion's success, and we will see what the adaptability of the 4 team is. Additionally, we will see if the loose preferred JGR drivers excel with a new package that should promote a loose car. Let's do '15 now.

I'm not sure about the 48. He has shown an amazing ability to adapt, and won 4 races this year. I just don't see Jimmie as giving up on a car--maybe deep down inside, but winning is like crack to an addict to those guys. Your point is well taken, however. We shall see.
 
Team Penske said:
Just went through this thread for the first time and really enjoyed it. Nice to see fans with their thinking caps on instead of worshiping certain drivers. I worked on a local race car back in early 70's and was amazed at what just a different spring would do. I think Rusty Wallace ignored the car and was fixated on suspension only. Now the tires are a great part of the suspension. Poor teams are limited on the variety of parts available to them and so they have to rely on camber way to much.

I agree with those that believe certain drivers will excel with a loose car and other excel with a tight car. Poor Biffle NEEDS a lose car where as Junior hates it. 2014 was the year for tight drivers and I think 2015 will be the year for lose. Some drivers can drive both and I think these guys are the ones who have good seasons every year just that some are better when they have the car they prefer. I am going to put the Penske drivers into that mix. I also think that Chad and Jimmy where hungry for success and did what they had to do to be successful. I think now JJ demands what he wants in a car and isn't willing to get the best from his ride if he isn't happy. Success will do that to a driver.

There is so much that a driver can do to get an extra 1/10 out of his car but not that many are willing to do it. Lets face it, by the time they have raced for any top 5 team for 2 years they are set for life financially.

I am really anxious to see what 2015 has in store and what those changes will do for some drivers careers. I'll be keeping a watch on this thread to see what others opinions are.
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Definitely agree with the first part of your post, but certainly not the bolded. How much money these guys make doesn't affect how competitive they are. In fact, I'd wager that most would trade a lot of their fortunes for a championship and prolonged success. Long before they became millionaires they were all drivers and competitors and money doesn't change that.

I mean you can't possibly be insinuating that JJ, one of the greatest and most successful drivers in the history of the sport would willfully not drive the best he possibly could? Or not finish as high as he could because he wasnt "happy" with the car.There's no way he got to where he is without giving 100% every single race.
 
3wideinturn1 said:
Definitely agree with the first part of your post, but certainly not the bolded. How much money these guys make doesn't affect how competitive they are. In fact, I'd wager that most would trade a lot of their fortunes for a championship and prolonged success. Long before they became millionaires they were all drivers and competitors and money doesn't change that.

I mean you can't possibly be insinuating that JJ, one of the greatest and most successful drivers in the history of the sport would willfully not drive the best he possibly could? Or not finish as high as he could because he wasnt "happy" with the car.There's no way he got to where he is without giving 100% every single race.
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I agree, but I also think that there is a very blurry line between "This is as good as the car will get," and "Fix the damn car, I am 6-Pack!" The sense of urgency of a driver early in his career is not there--nor is the financial necessity....nor is the urgency to win a championship when you have six in the bag. Chad felt that Jimmie needed to adjust his driving style, but last year's set ups proved that perhaps this wasn't possible. Having said all of that, I found it damn impressive that he won four times in a "bad" year. I will not question Jimmie's desire. Big respect for the guy.
 
3wideinturn1 said:
Definitely agree with the first part of your post, but certainly not the bolded. How much money these guys make doesn't affect how competitive they are. In fact, I'd wager that most would trade a lot of their fortunes for a championship and prolonged success. Long before they became millionaires they were all drivers and competitors and money doesn't change that.

I mean you can't possibly be insinuating that JJ, one of the greatest and most successful drivers in the history of the sport would willfully not drive the best he possibly could? Or not finish as high as he could because he wasnt "happy" with the car.There's no way he got to where he is without giving 100% every single race.
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Damn tootin I do. Its a fact of life that everyone at some time does less than they are capable and that includes race car drivers.
That said, you can hear him on his radio and you know he isn't happy or giving it all he has.

What I like best about JJ is he won't give an inch to the whiner even if it would help him make the chase.
 
Team Penske said:
Damn tootin I do. Its a fact of life that everyone at some time does less than they are capable and that includes race car drivers.
That said, you can hear him on his radio and you know he isn't happy or giving it all he has.

What I like best about JJ is he won't give an inch to the whiner even if it would help him make the chase.
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I don't believe that for a second. So you're saying from listening to his radio talk that you can now say he's not giving it his all? That's a huge leap to take, and I don't buy it whatsoever.

On one hand you say you love him because "he won't give an inch" yet at the very same time, this is a guy you're saying is willfully not trying his hardest? That's a massive contradiction right there.

Secondly, most successful people in this world don't come by their success by half assing anything. Perhaps it is normal in your walk of life to not give your all, but not in mine. NASCAR drivers are at the pinnacle of success for race cars drivers, and they don't get there by not giving it their all. I would say almost any owner in NASCAR would fire a driver if they suspected anything of the sort.
 
Team Penske said:
Damn tootin I do. Its a fact of life that everyone at some time does less than they are capable and that includes race car drivers.
That said, you can hear him on his radio and you know he isn't happy or giving it all he has.

What I like best about JJ is he won't give an inch to the whiner even if it would help him make the chase.
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My opinion is that he is giving it all he has with a car that isnt fast & thats why he is frustrated on the radio.

I dont think any driver intentionally slacks off. Unless its Clint Bowyer ;)
 
ChexOrWrex said:
My opinion is that he is giving it all he has with a car that isnt fast & thats why he is frustrated on the radio.

I dont think any driver intentionally slacks off. Unless its Clint Bowyer ;)
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Well Clint did follow orders........................................ :D
 
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