P
Parkfan
Guest
Gordon, Jarrett: 500 too long for Pocono
By Ryan Smithson, Turner Sports Interactive June 6, 2003
4:03 PM EDT (2003 GMT)
LONG POND, Pa. -- A 500-mile race at Pocono Raceway isn't the most physically demanding in the Winston Cup Series.
But it might be for equipment, and that's a big reason Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett would both like to see Pocono's race length reduced.
NASCAR ran 500-mile marathons at Dover International Speedway until 1997 -- the races were sometimes dubbed "The 24 Hours of Dover." The races were shortened beginning with the 1997 fall event there.
Of course, the races at Dover didn't take a day -- they took about five hours. A 500-mile race at Pocono averages about three-and-a-half hours, but some would like it reduced to 400 miles.
"It's way too long," said Jeff Gordon, who has two careers wins at the 2.5-mile track. "This track takes the longest (of the ovals) to get around. I think this race should be shortened."
NASCAR runs a 400-mile event at Indianapolis, a track the same length and with similar banking as Pocono.
"It's a long day," said Jarrett, a three-time winner at Pocono and the defending champion of this weekend's Pocono 500. "With this 2.5-mile track, a 400-mile race would be in order.
At 500 miles -- especially with the one-engine rule -- engines at Pocono take a beating. The 3,500-foot straightaways and tight turns force drivers to shift a couple of times a lap, and no fewer than six drivers fell out with mechanical failures in each event at Pocono in 2002.
"It's not really a physical track," Gordon said. "It's much more physical on the race start, the engine and valve train."
"For the drivers and teams, this thing is forever, and I think it would be a better race for the fans as well."
Jarrett agrees.
"I don't think (shortening the race) would take a thing away from anybody or anything, so I would like to see that discussed," he said.
By Ryan Smithson, Turner Sports Interactive June 6, 2003
4:03 PM EDT (2003 GMT)
LONG POND, Pa. -- A 500-mile race at Pocono Raceway isn't the most physically demanding in the Winston Cup Series.
But it might be for equipment, and that's a big reason Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett would both like to see Pocono's race length reduced.
NASCAR ran 500-mile marathons at Dover International Speedway until 1997 -- the races were sometimes dubbed "The 24 Hours of Dover." The races were shortened beginning with the 1997 fall event there.
Of course, the races at Dover didn't take a day -- they took about five hours. A 500-mile race at Pocono averages about three-and-a-half hours, but some would like it reduced to 400 miles.
"It's way too long," said Jeff Gordon, who has two careers wins at the 2.5-mile track. "This track takes the longest (of the ovals) to get around. I think this race should be shortened."
NASCAR runs a 400-mile event at Indianapolis, a track the same length and with similar banking as Pocono.
"It's a long day," said Jarrett, a three-time winner at Pocono and the defending champion of this weekend's Pocono 500. "With this 2.5-mile track, a 400-mile race would be in order.
At 500 miles -- especially with the one-engine rule -- engines at Pocono take a beating. The 3,500-foot straightaways and tight turns force drivers to shift a couple of times a lap, and no fewer than six drivers fell out with mechanical failures in each event at Pocono in 2002.
"It's not really a physical track," Gordon said. "It's much more physical on the race start, the engine and valve train."
"For the drivers and teams, this thing is forever, and I think it would be a better race for the fans as well."
Jarrett agrees.
"I don't think (shortening the race) would take a thing away from anybody or anything, so I would like to see that discussed," he said.
