Does Driving Different Cars Make You Better?

WhiningSmoke

WhiningSmoke

Team Owner
Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
360
Points
393
In 2012, Brian Vickers didn't have a full-time ride. He raced a bunch of sports cars in Europe for the first few months of the year. When he returned, he was one of the top drivers in Cup, despite him being on a limited schedule.

This year, AJ Allmendinger is driving anything he can get into, and he's performing better than ever.

So, does driving different cars make you better? If not, then why are these guys performing so much better?
 
Seat time helps I would think but it's really that they're getting good opportunities. AJ is really good on road course = good success on the road courses this year. Vickers has always had the talent to be top 15 driver.
 
Put anyone in Chad's car, I bet they perform better. As far as Dinger and Vickers go, I think both those guys are super focused after almost being history last year and realizing you don't get many second chances in Cup racing
 
Vickers has been much better in cup than A.J. over the years. Neither set cup on fire, Vickers with three wins in 11 years, 12th overall best season. that isn't that good. A.J. has been worse with a big goose egg for 7 years 15th best overall. It will be interesting to see how it races out with those two next year. A.J. and Vickers both have put on a show winning a race each this season.
 
StandOnIt said:
Vickers has been much better in cup than A.J. over the years. Neither set cup on fire, Vickers with three wins in 11 years, 12th overall best season. that isn't that good. A.J. has been worse with a big goose egg for 7 years 15th best overall. It will be interesting to see how it races out with those two next year. A.J. and Vickers both have put on a show winning a race each this season.
Click to expand...
If AJ gets a ride. Maybe he will get Montoya's ride ;)

THAT WOULD FUKKING MAKE MY DAY
 
Captain Coyfish said:
If AJ gets a ride. Maybe he will get Montoya's ride ;)

THAT WOULD FUKKING MAKE MY DAY
Click to expand...
Kurt said they talked to him. Check this out, would Kurt throw Furniture under the bus?
Kurt Busch talks about 2014 plans: #78-Kurt Busch met with members of the media at Michigan and discussed his potential plans for 2014 and many other topics. The transcript in part:
Q) WITH THE #42 BEING OPEN FOR SURE NOW DOES THAT CHANGE AS FAR AS THE PEOPLE THAT YOURE TALKING TO ABOUT NEXT YEAR? SHOULD WE COUNT YOU AS A CANDIDATE FOR THAT RIDE?
Kurt Busch: It hasnt changed anything, Im good friends with Felix Sabates and I know Chip real well and the whole gang, Max Jones, Steve Lauletta. They came up with that decision not based off any of the talks that Ive had with them but it is a potential opportunity thats for sure.
 
Like Lazyking said, it helps when you're driving anything with four wheels on but I just think its this car more or less.

I think its easier to drive these cars right out of the box if you hadn't drove the old ones or if you have been out of the sport for a while.

You kind of get used to them quicker in my opinion.
 
Lets say if you came from a team with crappy equipment, to a team like Hendrick. Obviously unless you were a complete wreck of a driver you would go from top 30 to top 10 with in 1-2 races.
 
StandOnIt said:
Kurt said they talked to him. Check this out, would Kurt throw Furniture under the bus?
Kurt Busch talks about 2014 plans: #78-Kurt Busch met with members of the media at Michigan and discussed his potential plans for 2014 and many other topics. The transcript in part:
Q) WITH THE #42 BEING OPEN FOR SURE NOW DOES THAT CHANGE AS FAR AS THE PEOPLE THAT YOURE TALKING TO ABOUT NEXT YEAR? SHOULD WE COUNT YOU AS A CANDIDATE FOR THAT RIDE?
Kurt Busch: It hasnt changed anything, Im good friends with Felix Sabates and I know Chip real well and the whole gang, Max Jones, Steve Lauletta. They came up with that decision not based off any of the talks that Ive had with them but it is a potential opportunity thats for sure.
Click to expand...
Doesnt mean that he will necessarily do it, just means it is an option.
 
Both have become more aggressive, and that's the key for talented drivers. Vickers will start pissing off other driver starting next year. If he's good enough, he'll convince them to moderate their expectations of what he should 'give' them on the track and not act like they are too good to actually race him for a position.
 
Racing on different tracks may be a bigger component for driver development.

If I was coaching a kid starting out on local tracks, I would expose them to a diverse set of tracks. Flat and banked half mile ovals, plus a little dirt.

Driving for different (good) people would matter as much as the car types, probably more. The exposure to different people would be educational, most things learned are borrowed (or stolen) thoughts, working with a lot of brains helps.

One day you want the chemistry of a great driver and CC, but the prior knowledge gained is a prerequisite.
 
I think developing drivers need to stretch their potential, and try new challenges. But I thinking getting to win somehere is crucial to developing a killer instinct.

An averge mid tier cup driver should run some occasional nationwide events to pursue some more attainable wins. A average nationwide driver should run some truck races, an averge camping world truck driver should run some K&N East races etc....

A driver needs to get a taste for winning, or being the dominant force.
 
Greg said:
I think developing drivers need to stretch their potential, and try new challenges. But I thinking getting to win somehere is crucial to developing a killer instinct.

An averge mid tier cup driver should run some occasional nationwide events to pursue some more attainable wins. A average nationwide driver should run some truck races, an averge camping world truck driver should run some K&N East races etc....

A driver needs to get a taste for winning, or being the dominant force.
Click to expand...

It amazes me that these guys who have won everything all their lives finally make it to cup and because of some guy like Jimmie Johnson , they may never win again. It must be very hard on the old ego to run twentieth every week when you're used to running top three. Somehow , they smile for the reporters ,suck it up , and race again next week .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom