NASCAR Cup

News #2 97-10-31

NASCARFans E-Mail List ===== NASCAR ordered up plenty of wind tunnel time before the Craftsman Truck series went to its first two-mile track, California Truck Speedway, for the No FEAR Challenge last weekend. As a result of the various tests, the ...

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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NASCARFans E-Mail List ===== NASCAR ordered up plenty of wind tunnel time before the Craftsman Truck series went to its first two-mile track, California Truck Speedway, for the No FEAR Challenge last weekend. As a result of the various tests, the aero package for the trucks was altered significantly and, perhaps, permanently. First, the front valence ground clearance was raised from 3.5in. to 4.0in. and the kick-out increased from half and inch to one inch. The maximum width of the front at the fender flares was increased from 77in. to 80in., and teams can run an optional wicker bill in the leading edge of the front wheel well opening. Also, the rear spoiler was raised an inch from six to seven, with a 55-degree minimum angle. There was naught but praise for the revisions at Fontana, and they will likely become law. (MCI Racing News) ===== "Winston Cup fans long have adopted race teams as their rooting favorite. Next season, they'll have the opportunity to put their money where their heart is. Owner Dick Bahre, with support from Arby's restaurant chain, plans to launch the FansTeam, with comedian Jeff Foxworthy the first to climb on board. For a $195 membership fee, fans can become an official team sponsor, with perks to include their name on the No. 64 team's hauler. The car will be unveiled Nov. 15 in Atlanta. No driver has been named. For information, call 1-888-TEAM-064." (Jayski) ===== The owner of Mark Martin's Ford Thunderbird said a rules change that gave Chevy Monte Carlos an additional quarter inch of rear spoiler showed that NASCAR officials want Jeff Gordon, who drives a Chevy, winning the title.

"It's absurd," said Roush of the rules change that occurred with six races remaining.

Martin has gradually lost ground after pulling to within 105 points of Gordon with two victories in six races. The second of those victories came in Dover Downs, Del., the race before the rules change took effect.

"We don't consider the championship when it comes to making the rules," Winston Cup director Gary Nelson said. "We look at it from the point of view of having every driver who comes through the gate believe he has a chance to win the race."

Nevertheless, the gap is 125 points in the championship chase as the Winston Cup teams head for the Phoenix Mile. Gordon must only finish 13th or better in the season's final two races to clinch his second title in three seasons and the third straight for Hendrick Motorsports. (Jonathan Ingraham, MSNBC, thanks to Jayski for the heads-up) ===== "Charlotte Motor Speedway has taken the first step, studying whether it would be possible to start a series for racing convertibles. Two-time defending Grand National series champion Randy LaJoie turned about 20 laps on Charlotte's 1.5-mile, high-banked trioval in a Grand National car that had no roof. The car's NASCAR-mandated steel-tubing roll cage was left intact, but LaJoie was clearly visible inside the driver's compartment as he circled the track at about 170 mph. Track officials might be interested in starting a series of support races for Charlotte's Winston Cup events, but only if they could limit speeds of the convertibles to something in the range of 120-130 mph. Smaller engines than those used in Grand National cars would be a likely option"(SpeedNet)/Jayski ===== There's a good article about Joe Nemechek on the Speednet site at:

http://www.starnews.com/speednet/nascar/97/oct/1030SN_xnemechek.html

(Thanks to Jayski) ===== Mike Irwin (mailto:mike@nascarfans.com) NASCAR Fans _______________________________________

NASCAR Fans Website http://www.nascarfans.com _______________________________________

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