NASCAR increasing restrictor plate size at Talladega

[DeeDee]

[ARTICLE=NASCAR increasing restrictor plate size at Talladega: UPDATE:]NASCAR will implement two rule changes for next month's running of the Good Sam Club 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. The size of the restrictor plate that teams will use to prepare and practice for the race will increase by 1/64 inch and is now going to be 57/64 inch diameter. This will provide the teams with an additional 7-10 horsepower. Additionally, the pressure relief valve on the cars' cooling system will be recalibrated to reduce the pressure by approximately eight pounds per square inch from last April's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega. "After the last few superspeedway races, we've heard many drivers express their desire to open up the size of the restrictor plate some and we thought the time was right to do that," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president, competition. "We anticipate these revisions in the rules package for Talladega will help continue to provide competitive and exciting racing for the fans."(NASCAR)(9-21-2011)
UPDATE: The larger restrictor plate could push speeds over 200 mph, but the combination of the pop-off valve change likely means the cars won't be able to stay locked together for as many laps. #00-David Reutimann crew chief Rodney Childers thinks drivers might be limited to a lap of pushing before needing to swap. "Changing the plates will be better," Childers said. "It should make it more racy, where you can pull out and pass. If they are wanting to make it where people can't draft as long, it's going to do that. Probably only a half of a lap or a lap is all you're going to get out of it." Chad Johnston, crew chief for #56-Martin Truex Jr., predicted that drivers will have to swap positions more. That could make it dicey, he said, because drivers will have to swap while also avoiding the two-car packs closing in behind them. The chances of something going wrong on a swap are going to go up obviously, but hopefully it will eliminate or lessen the two-by-two racing," he said.(Associated Press/ESPN)(9-22-2011)[/ARTICLE]

[yatesracing]

Whether you like the Dega Tango racing or not, this was FORD getting screwed again. Ford having that cooling system which made it possible to race two cars being hooked up together without overheating. SooooooooooNascar had to put the screws to FORD once again because (you wanna bet)complaints from the CHEVY GROUPS (thinking Hendricks)

UPDATE: The larger restrictor plate could push speeds over 200 mph, but the combination of the pop-off valve change likely means the cars won't be able to stay locked together for as many laps. #00-David Reutimann crew chief Rodney Childers thinks drivers might be limited to a lap of pushing before needing to swap. "Changing the plates will be better," Childers said. "It should make it more racy, where you can pull out and pass. If they are wanting to make it where people can't draft as long, it's going to do that. Probably only a half of a lap or a lap is all you're going to get out of it." Chad Johnston, crew chief for #56-Martin Truex Jr., predicted that drivers will have to swap positions more. That could make it dicey, he said, because drivers will have to swap while also avoiding the two-car packs closing in behind them. The chances of something going wrong on a swap are going to go up obviously, but hopefully it will eliminate or lessen the two-by-two racing," he said.(Associated Press/ESPN)(9-22-2011)

[DeeDee]

[ARTICLE=Talladega plate change may limit two-car drafts]New rules for Oct. race include larger plate, less pressure in cooling relief valve
By NASCAR.COM
September 21, 2011 3:21 PM, EDT


NASCAR will implement two rule changes for the Oct. 23 Sprint Cup event at Talladega Superspeedway that may limit the amount of time vehicles will be able to spend hooked up in the two-car drafts that have come to define restrictor-plate racing during the past year.

The size of the restrictor plate that teams will use for the race will increase by 1/64th of an inch, and will now be 57/64ths-inch in diameter. This will provide the teams with an additional 7 to 10 horsepower. Additionally, the pressure relief valve on the cars' cooling systems will be re-calibrated to reduce the pressure by approximately 8 pounds per square inch from this past April's race at Talladega.

"After the last few superspeedway races, we've heard many drivers express their desire to open up the size of the restrictor plate some and we thought the time was right to do that," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president for competition. "We anticipate these revisions in the rules package for Talladega will help continue to provide competitive and exciting racing for the fans."

Taken together, the changes may limit the amount of time cars can stay linked in tandem drafts. Cars are able to run connected together until one shows signs of overheating, at which time the pushing vehicle must either slide out from behind the lead car to refresh the front grille with clean air, or the two vehicles must switch positions. Either tactic forces the cars to slow down.

"The new rule on the pressure release valves at superspeedways is just going to limit the time that you can push nose-to-tail," said Chad Johnston, crew chief for Martin Truex Jr. "It's going to make you switch more often, which could be a good thing or it could be a bad thing. The chances of something going wrong on a swap are going to go up obviously, but hopefully it will eliminate or lessen the two-by-two racing."

Rodney Childers, crew chief for David Reutimann, said the changes will probably limit the two-car drafts to a half-lap to a full lap on the 2.66-mile Talladega track. "It should make it more racy, where you can pull out and pass," he added. "If they are wanting to make it where people can't draft as long, it's going to do that."

Not everyone is so certain. "As far as breaking up the two-car draft, it probably won't," said Derrick Finley, competition director for Front Row Motorsports. "Cars have already been running with the lower PSI pressure relief valve and have been able to make it work. So, dropping it 8 PSI probably won't have a lot of effect on it. But as far as more horsepower, these guys are paid to go fast and that's what they do. It won't stop them from hooking up. I think they'll just go faster."

NASCAR said it wasn't certain how the drafting would be affected. "We believe this rules package for next month's Talladega event will help continue to provide competitive and exciting racing for the fans," spokesman Kerry Tharp added. "The teams will have a little bit more horsepower to work with -- which is something they've been asking for. How it impacts the drafting style remains to be seen."

Tandem drafting, a by-product of changes to restrictor-plate track surfaces and cars' front ends, has produced decidedly mixed reviews among spectators and competitors alike. Some love the often-thrilling finishes it produces, but others have issues with how strange the style itself appears. NASCAR has made attempts to curtail it before, mandating lower water pressure in the cooling system and a smaller opening in the front grille prior for this year's Daytona 500.

Track officials were pleased with the latest moves. "We applaud NASCAR's efforts to continuously monitor the competition at Talladega Superspeedway and be willing to make changes when necessary," Talladega chairman Grant Lynch said. "Being open to suggestions that improve our sport is beneficial to everyone involved."[/ARTICLE]

[yatesracing]

Yep, they had to stop FORD somehow. Nothing like seeing cars run a race in a row. At 200 miles an hr and probably faster we should have an exciting race. Lots of cautions

[Ford Dude]

[QUOTE=yatesracing;15842]Whether you like the Dega Tango racing or not, this was FORD getting screwed again. Ford having that cooling system which made it possible to race two cars being hooked up together without overheating. SooooooooooNascar had to put the screws to FORD once again because (you wanna bet)complaints from the CHEVY GROUPS (thinking Hendricks)

That's not really the case....if one engine's cooling system (in this case Ford's) is better than another it will still be better no matter what changes are made AS LONG as the changes are the SAME for everyone. If Ford had to run a lower psi pop off valve then yes it would be screwing Ford. In this case it's not.

[yatesracing]

I'm taking into effect ALL THE CHANGES that were being made to Dega in the hope of STOPPING FORDS dominating the Superspeedway race and they will keep coming up with changes until till they succeed. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

Starting from last year they have been trying to stop the FORDS They didn't like the idea that if this KID TREVOR hook up to your car "YOU WENT TO THE FRONT" Teams started questioning how was FORD able to push so much longer without overheating. (so came the valve or whatever to control cooling)

THAT'S WHEN NASCAR STARTED TO SCREW FORD, and they will keep finding ways until, well I don't want to seem bias LOL, but till some TEAMS WILL GET THEIR WISH.

I still remember Jeffie pouting at Daytona after he was wrecked . What was it he said, something on the order "It's a shame I had such a great car, and was taken out so early.
http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/story-153689.html

[Ford Dude]

There are only 2 changes for Talladega. A bigger restrictor plate and a lower psi pop off valve. Ford is not getting a smaller plate than the others and they are not getting a lower psi pop off valve, everyone is getting the same changes so no one is getting screwed. If Ford had to use a smaller plate than everyone else or a pop off valve of lower psi then, yes, Ford would be getting screwed but that's just not the case with these changes.

[TeamBlueOval]

Thank you, Ford Dude. NASCAR is not out to get Ford here. These changes effect everyone equally.

[yatesracing]

Than why were any of the changes needed? Contrary to Nascar's reasoning, FORDS were able to dominate the field and Nascar didn't like it. It was exciting and it sure beats cars going around in circles playing follow the leader.

Now do you think Nascar would have made the changes if the cars were driven by Johnson, Gorden or Jr.???? NOT A CHANCE
We'll see IF these new changes will effect FORD, if not EXPECT ANOTHER CHANGE.

[yatesracing]

They wanted FORD'S New Cooling system to lose the ability in preventing overheating. They were banking on the other mfg to be able to deal with it. Guess what.....it didn't effect the cooling system to the degree there were hoping for and had little effect on the FORD's cooling system. (and I got this from the grapewine who know how to grow the best dam grapes). So another rule and if it doesn't work EXPECT ANOTHER RULE.

[yatesracing]

BTW it sure took a long time to come up with this new change ohhhhhhhhhh forgot for a moment DEGA Race right around the corner. ROTFLMBO
Hoping the FORDS can keep up with the new change.

Now for peace and quite till HOMESTEAD

[Ford Dude]

Still on the conspiracy theory gig, I see.....and I'd say that grapevine won't be producing very good wine, maybe they should try watermelons. Be sure to let us know when the Ford teams complain that they're being hosed. (I'm sure I already know what the next response will be.....something like, "They can't complain or NASCAR will make it worse )

[yatesracing]

"They can't complain or NASCAR will make it worse ;
***************Sorry that wouldn't be my answer only an idiot would give that answer and A IDIOT I'M NOT.

THE END

[Ford Dude]

But that's what you've said in the past......back in the TFR forum days.

[yatesracing]

I was referring to the fines given to driver speaking negatively about Nascar. Than the next year it happened again with Newman or Hamlin. I believe it was Hamlin. He couldn't divulge what the fine was about or even what it was about.. That statement still stand " Keep your mouth shut or Nascar will make it worst. Oh lets not forget all about those debris cautions on the TRACK ,FUNNY THEIR ALWAYS COME AT THE RIGHT TIME but NOT FOR FORD DRIVERS. I don't change my mind one year to the next. NASCAR IS BIAS and will screw FORD any chance they get.

This will be my last comment on this subject.

[yatesracing]

I'm was sitting here thinking about those new (were new at that time) penalties Nascar had given out to drivers who spoke out negatively about Nascar .

I can see any FORD DRIVER complaining about Nascar to the media about some of that bias garbage they have pulled. You can bet they would be on the hot seat AND DEFINITELY HIT WITH A BIG FINE by Nascar.

You have quoted a statement made by me totally out of context. I than had to clarify why I probably made that statement. Oh BTW I still feel the same.

Drivers ,all Drivers have to choose their words very ,very carefully

Now I really mean "THE END"

[Ford Dude]

<<"They can't complain or NASCAR will make it worse ;
***************Sorry that wouldn't be my answer only an idiot would give that answer and A IDIOT I'M NOT.>> That's your post number 13 at 4:36 PM. Then in number 16 you say, " I can see any FORD DRIVER complaining about Nascar to the media about some of that bias garbage they have pulled. You can bet they would be on the hot seat AND DEFINITELY HIT WITH A BIG FINE by Nascar. " Sooooooooo, which is it? Oh, nevermind, I forgot you said it was "THE END"

[Dog]

I was referring to the fines given to driver speaking negatively about Nascar. Than the next year it happened again with Newman or Hamlin. I believe it was Hamlin. He couldn't divulge what the fine was about or even what it was about.. That statement still stand " Keep your mouth shut or Nascar will make it worst. Oh lets not forget all about those debris cautions on the TRACK ,FUNNY THEIR ALWAYS COME AT THE RIGHT TIME but NOT FOR FORD DRIVERS. I don't change my mind one year to the next. NASCAR IS BIAS and will screw FORD any chance they get.

This will be my last comment on this subject.

Newman was fined once for sure. And I think possibly a second time. And I believe it was last year and the year before.

[Ford Dude]

I'm beginning to have concerns about Biffle. His average starting position and average finishing position have gotten worse for 4 consecutive years. This year in particular has been dismal with only 1 top 5 and only 7 top 10 finishes. I'd expect him to be every bit as competitive as Kenseth and Edwards but he's not showing it. There's no doubt that Greg can wheel a race car but something's missing. He should be a threat nearly every week IMO. Here's hoping his good qualifying run and decent final practice will translate into something good at Louden.

[yatesracing]

Hoping he takes Kansas and throw in another one for kicks.