Problems With NASCAR's High Tech Inspection Process?

dpkimmel2001

dpkimmel2001

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I'm pretty sure that the organization that built and runs the all new laser inspection station also does web design and maintenance for nascar.com. Now, don't quote me on that. It's just what I heard.

Avondale, AZ - There is more to NASCAR's newest inspection device than meets the eye.

The device, a laser system to measure particular parts of a Ford, Toyota or Chevrolet headed out to qualify or race, is causing some serious head scratching from a larger number of race teams then might be expected.
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Privately numerous team members are raising serious concerns over the ability of the device to be consistent from week to week. There are growing concerns transportation of the device from track to track is enough to cause issues each and every week.

Publicly, no one is vocally complaining. Privately, the words are different.

On Friday afternoon at Phoenix Int'l Raceway the crew of the Lowe's Chevrolet SS driven by Jimmie Johnson had to push their car through the laser portion of the inspection process three times before getting a thumbs up from a NASCAR official. It was easy to see and hear the frustration eating away at the crew as they pushed the car around to a vacant area near the Goodyear hauler twice to make adjustments underneath the car.

However, they were not alone. There were at least seven other teams who struggled to pass the laser portion of the inspection process.
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Full story here.
 
Calibration, level surface and a clean under carriage would be important. I've only gotten quick glances at the device and wondered where the adjustments were to get those laser arms in perfect position.
 
FenderBumper said:
Calibration, level surface and a clean under carriage would be important. I've only gotten quick glances at the device and wondered where the adjustments were to get those laser arms in perfect position.
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Maybe, if we're lucky, Jeff Hammond can do a special segment on it explaining it's setup and use? :rolleyes:
 
FenderBumper said:
I would watch if they had someone who understood the tech do the show. Hammond has been left behind for sure.
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My wife and I met Krista Voda and Jeff Hammond @ Martinsville last fall before one of their Speed segments. She's a sweetheart. He seemed like a real ass. Not a fan.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
My wife and I met Krista Voda and Jeff Hammond @ Martinsville last fall before one of their Speed segments. She's a sweetheart. He seemed like a real ass. Not a fan.
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I get the feeling DW is tired of him too. He seems like a simple man straining to sound important. I know that's harsh, but it just seems that way.
 
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How long do you think it'll be before Nascar issues racecars?
 
yes they cry when they get caught. Johnson's team out of tolerance? Chad wouldn't do that. bwaaa yeah right
 
FenderBumper said:
Calibration, level surface and a clean under carriage would be important. I've only gotten quick glances at the device and wondered where the adjustments were to get those laser arms in perfect position.
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Exactly. Establishing a static position on something that travels all over the country can't be easy.
 
Trying to understand. Teams hand fabricate most of the body using Nascar issued templates to insure the body conforms to Nascar specs. Then Nascar checks the body at the track using a high tech laser measuring system?

It is entirely possible that a car that flunks at the track and is taken back to the R&D center passes on the machine there. What then? No two machines can be built exactly alike, there's manufacturing tolerances that could affect final measurements.
 
Bobw said:
Trying to understand. Teams hand fabricate most of the body using Nascar issued templates to insure the body conforms to Nascar specs. Then Nascar checks the body at the track using a high tech laser measuring system?

It is entirely possible that a car that flunks at the track and is taken back to the R&D center passes on the machine there. What then? No two machines can be built exactly alike, there's manufacturing tolerances that could affect final measurements.
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There are tolerances built into the inspection process.
 
Bobw said:
Trying to understand. Teams hand fabricate most of the body using Nascar issued templates to insure the body conforms to Nascar specs. Then Nascar checks the body at the track using a high tech laser measuring system?

It is entirely possible that a car that flunks at the track and is taken back to the R&D center passes on the machine there. What then? No two machines can be built exactly alike, there's manufacturing tolerances that could affect final measurements.
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From what I understand, most body panels are now provided by the maunfacturers, and nascar still uses templates to measure those. I'm pretty sure the laser system is just for car height.
 
Zerkfitting said:
The teams probably know what the tolerances are and adjust the cars to take what ever advantage they can get - Smokey Yunick 101.
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The teams probably know what the tolerances are and adjust the cars to take what ever advantage they can get - Any crew chief that's doing his job. ;)
 
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