S
smack500
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What to watch for
Heading to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend you are going to want to watch for the new rules regarding the new fuel cells for this race. Instead of our regular 22-gallon tanks, we're going to have 13-gallon tanks in the cars.
Credit: Autostock
We're going to be pitting a lot more because of that. And, look for a lot of lead changes as guys hit pit road for fuel. It's anybody's game this time because of the fuel cell changes.
Also, look at what happens when cars start heading off the track and down pit road in these big packs. That's going to be something.
Smaller tanks -- good or bad?
I think its going to be a good thing that we are using the smaller tanks. If NASCAR is trying to break up these big packs of cars with more pit stops, I think that will help.
In case you have a bad wreck that involves fire because of the speeds we run at Daytona and Talladega, the less gas in the tanks is better. We're still going to be racing three and four wide -- that's for sure.
But we usually get six to seven miles per gallon. So, with a 13-gallon tank we're going to be able to go about 84 miles at seven miles per gallon. That means we should get 32 to 34 laps out of a fuel run. Practice is going to be important so we can see what the exact number might be.
It's the best of times...
I really like racing wide open every single lap and out there just cruising. You're running almost 200 mph and it's a great feeling out there leading the pack.
I like 'Dega because it's nice and wide and easy to get the car handling on.
....It's the worst of times
The worst part is definitely the dreaded multi-car packs of cars racing two and three inches apart. That's a bad deal. That really wears me out mentally because you're thinking about it knowing that the Big One could occur at anytime.
Worst part is that it seems to be out of your control if it does happen. Everything at Talladega seems to be out of your control. That's the real, real tough thing.
Where's Wallace
I will be out at the souvenir rig on Saturday right after our last practice. So, right after Happy Hour, come on out to the rig and I'll be there signing autographs.
That'll be my only appearance for the public this weekend.
Last Call
I'll tell you what; the fans of Talladega are some of the most intense, crazy and vocal fans on the circuit. They just love their racing and they're real boisterous about it, too.
The track has been around forever and one that fans circle on their calendar because they look forward to going there. And, they can be real opinionated, there's not doubt about that and I love them for it.
Rusty's Rundown appears each week on NASCAR.com. For more info on Rusty Wallace, please visit his Web site at www.rustywallace.com.
Heading to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend you are going to want to watch for the new rules regarding the new fuel cells for this race. Instead of our regular 22-gallon tanks, we're going to have 13-gallon tanks in the cars.
Credit: Autostock
We're going to be pitting a lot more because of that. And, look for a lot of lead changes as guys hit pit road for fuel. It's anybody's game this time because of the fuel cell changes.
Also, look at what happens when cars start heading off the track and down pit road in these big packs. That's going to be something.
Smaller tanks -- good or bad?
I think its going to be a good thing that we are using the smaller tanks. If NASCAR is trying to break up these big packs of cars with more pit stops, I think that will help.
In case you have a bad wreck that involves fire because of the speeds we run at Daytona and Talladega, the less gas in the tanks is better. We're still going to be racing three and four wide -- that's for sure.
But we usually get six to seven miles per gallon. So, with a 13-gallon tank we're going to be able to go about 84 miles at seven miles per gallon. That means we should get 32 to 34 laps out of a fuel run. Practice is going to be important so we can see what the exact number might be.
It's the best of times...
I really like racing wide open every single lap and out there just cruising. You're running almost 200 mph and it's a great feeling out there leading the pack.
I like 'Dega because it's nice and wide and easy to get the car handling on.
....It's the worst of times
The worst part is definitely the dreaded multi-car packs of cars racing two and three inches apart. That's a bad deal. That really wears me out mentally because you're thinking about it knowing that the Big One could occur at anytime.
Worst part is that it seems to be out of your control if it does happen. Everything at Talladega seems to be out of your control. That's the real, real tough thing.
Where's Wallace
I will be out at the souvenir rig on Saturday right after our last practice. So, right after Happy Hour, come on out to the rig and I'll be there signing autographs.
That'll be my only appearance for the public this weekend.
Last Call
I'll tell you what; the fans of Talladega are some of the most intense, crazy and vocal fans on the circuit. They just love their racing and they're real boisterous about it, too.
The track has been around forever and one that fans circle on their calendar because they look forward to going there. And, they can be real opinionated, there's not doubt about that and I love them for it.
Rusty's Rundown appears each week on NASCAR.com. For more info on Rusty Wallace, please visit his Web site at www.rustywallace.com.