The Mechanics Of The NASCAR Win

It is common for the casual NASCAR fan to believe that the way to win is to have the quickest vehicle. In many instances this has proven the case. All drivers and teams toil for countless hours throughout the week hoping to formulate the magic setup in order to have fastest car possible when they reach at the track the following weekend. As has been highlighted again and again by NASCAR news affiliates, there are no guarantees. Of course, not every vehicle can be the fastest so racing teams are investigating new plans to find the one that will help them win.

For instance, David Reutimann won the 2009 Coca Cola 600 when crew chief Rodney Childers told him to avoid the pit as the leaders were entering. The race was beyond the half-way point, and precipitation was falling. Should the rains have continued, the race would have been stopped. As such, Reutimann, and drivers Robby Gordon and Ryan Newman, chose to take their chances with the weather.

At about 6:30 p.m. EST, NASCAR officials were obliged to cancel the race, giving Reutimann his first Sprint Cup win. In the past, a victory in a rain-shortened event had a proverbial asterisk beside it. Fans typically bemoan a win such as that, perhaps referring to it as a fluke. NASCAR news is readily filled with such press. However, the sport of NASCAR is one of the most competitive, if not the most competitive style of auto racing. Winning is still winning, no matter how it is accomplished and all drivers would certainly do the ‘rain dance’ if it led to a trip down victory lane. NASCAR news has been on hand to witness some impressive and creative strategies end in victory.

Strategy was absolutely a key ingredient in Reutimann’s win. Armed with the information from the latest weather reports, his crew chief chose to keep Reutimann out on the track. If the rain had ceased, and the cars headed back out on the track, then they were going to have to pit, but according the Childers and Reutimann, they were going to make some important adjustments in order to improve the performance of the car. The adjustments would have required far too much time. Additionally, Reutimann would have lost his track position if they had pit stopped with the others, so he chose to wait on the rain. Their strategy turned out to be the winning strategy.

It’s an interesting fact that Kyle Busch was the leader in 173 of the 207 lapsed paced, while Reutimann only managed a five lap lead and placed in fourteenth position when the rain started.

Similar events involving driver Jeff Gordon were noted, according to certain NASCAR news sources. Gordon had used the same trick to win at Pocono in 2007. Despite the fact that Gordon didn’t have a vehicle that could contend for the win, his team was right in their estimates of approaching rainfall, so victory was complete. In fact, if the rain would have come a mere five seconds later than it did, Gordon would have completed in second. Driver Ryan Newman was just passing Gordon’s car when NASCAR put out the caution flag.

It seems like all the stars of the heavens must be in alignment to win a race. Other strategies to help a racer win without needing the fastest vehicle deal with fuel mileage and tire strategy.

In 2003, Newman and his Penske Racing team were renowned for stretching fuel mileage with a smaller carburetor. At least four of his eight total wins during the 2003 season could be contributed to fuel mileage.

We have seen drivers in the past use a two-tire pit stop to gain track position late in a race, allowing them the a last chance to go for the win. In many cases, it has worked out for the driver.

It is true that a win is a win in NASCAR. However the trophy reaches hi hands, a driver will be glad to accept it.

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