January 27th, 2009 
T.C. We are half way through another week, and with that comes the eighth edition of “Ask The Insiders. ‘ In case you don’t know what this is, we will be answering any and all questions every Wednesday until at least Daytona comes around. So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us. On to the questions…
1. From AJ:
With testing banned this year won’t teams who get invited to do the various Goodyear tire tests have an advantage at those race track this year? Also how are those drivers chosen and what limitations are placed on them at the tire tests. Obviously the car needs to be handling well to get a good reading on the tire wear so where is the line between trying to get a read on the tire vs a good setup for the car.
The teams that get to participate in the Goodyear tire tests may get a little bit of help, but it won’t be enough to be significant. Goodyear dictates to the teams what setups they want to see run under certain conditions. Goodyear usually selects one representative from two to three manufacturers to participate in tests. They try and do it on a rotating basis. – T.C.
2. From Bobby:
One of the big points for the COT was to bring the field closer together. This obviously has not happened, the super teams have always been and always will be ahead. My question is why does NASCAR intentionally handicap the smaller teams further when it comes to on track practice? The highest guys in points get inspected and onto the track first. At times the smaller teams only get a few minutes of practice when they finally get through inspection. It seems to me if NASCAR was truly interested in a level playing field they would run the inspection process opposite of how they do now. The lower teams in points go through first because they need more practice.
NASCAR is just rewarding those teams for being high in the points. The haulers are also parked by points. The better in the standings you are, the better parking spot your transporter gets. I don’t think they do it necessarily to handicap the lower teams. It’s one of those “we’ve always done it that way” things. – T.C.
3. From Marc:
Over the past few years, I have heard conflicting information about the COT. For a while, most reports said that the COT bodies would be identical from nose to tail–only the decals and would differentiate the make–and that this would put an end to owners asking for rule changes–mostly to the nose and the wing–to level the aerodynamics. Now, Dodges are getting a minor nose change that should even them with the other makes. Compared to the old car, the COTs all look similar on TV and on the web. So, what are the differences and is there any way we can see them in pictures?
The COT’s are mostly alike, but there are very small, subtle differences. You can see very small differences in the lines of the noses and hoods. Essentially though they are the same.
David Stremme’s crew chief Roy McCauley actually addressed the issue for Dodge in a SpeedTV interview. He called the change “subtle” and said that it really is not even that noticeable. – Journo
4. From Mike:
What’s the deal with Dodge getting a new nose for the COT?
It was one of these things to help level the playing field. Dodge was very clearly at a disadvantage last season against their competitors. Check out the SpeedTV article about it in question 3 for a little more information. – Journo
5. From Sean:
Is there any kind of informal protocol regarding the start-and-park brigade? How long they run before they go behind the wall, that sort of thing? Does NASCAR verify their reason for parking? Also, if a wreck happens shortly after they park that damages one or more cars too badly to continue, can the start-and-part guys go back out for a few more laps to leapfrog the wrecked cars in the finishing order and pick up a few more dollars in prize money?
I don’t believe NASCAR has any formal or informal rules for start-and-parkers. Most teams will run as long as they want. It usually depends on how long they can run on tires and fuel. NASCAR does not verify their reason for dropping out. And they cannot return to the race once they have retired. Once you’re out, you’re out. – T.C.
6. From Jon:
Hi guys… I was wondering if Jack Roush was just trying to save his 5th team when claiming that NASCAR should allow him to keep that team, so as to not lose a sponsor in the sport. It doesn’t make sense to me that Jack would claim that when I am sure that whatever team gets the axe, the sponsor might want to stay with the team with another car. In turn, this could relieve some financial burden on the other sponsors, who might not have to put up as much to sponsor a Roush car in ’10 when say Crown Royal is sponsoring say the 16 car a few races a season. It also seems unlikely that said sponsor would entirely leave the sport. So, is Jack full of it and just trying to keep his 5th team?
It comes down to Jack not wanting NASCAR stepping on his toes. He’ll technically lose the team at Roush, but be assured that Yates will miraculously end up with Roush’s former team (sponsor, driver and all). As is a not very well kept secret (I wrote about it in September), since the “sale” of part of the team to Max Jones, it has been in Jack’s front pocket. Ultimately this just makes it so Jack can only have eight teams instead nine or 10 or 11 etc. So to answer your question, yeah Jack is full of it. – Journo
7. From Jerry:
Why is it, when the race starts the car on the pole position is on the inside, yet on restarts, the lead car is on the outside?
The driver who wins the pole position actually has a choice of the inside or outside to start the race. Which you choose really just depends on where you’re running best that day. On restarts you see the cars double file with the leader on the outside because NASCAR allows the lap cars up to the front so they can attempt to get their laps back. – Journo
8. From Clay:
I understand that the cars employ an “automatic clutch” technology. Is there still a manual clutch pedal?
I’m not really sure what you are referring to by an “automatic clutch.” Racecars still do have a standard clutch pedal. Drivers usually only need the clutch pedal when they are backing up, leaving pit road, and at road courses. The rest of the time they just match revs and shift without the pedal. – T.C.
And that brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. And remember, if you’d like to be a part of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!
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I disagree that Jack Roush is “full of it”. Is Jack trying to save his 5th team? He sure is, but that does not make him “full of It”. As a Ford racing fan I am very thankful for Jack. I wish Jack, and Yates, the Wood Brothers and everyone else that runs Fords could combine and run about 20 cars. I also would have no problem with Rick Hendrick, Tony Stewart, RCR and all the Chevy guys run another 20 cars. We would have better racing and most importantly no Toyotas. Look at history here a minute. When Toyota gets in a Nascar series it is destroyed. First the Goodys Dash series, now the trucks. Yes 20 Fords, 20 Chevys and 3 competive Petty Dodges and then we have some racing. A person can dream can’t they.
With regards to Marc and Mike’s questions 3 & 4 above on Dodge noses…I concur that the whole idea of the COT was a spec car for the series. If differences are so subtle, why have them at all? When NASCAR chose to go full spec with the COT, they should stay that way. Does NASCAR tech have a separate “egg crate” template for each make? I didn’t think so.
It kind of goes back to the question of who really cares if the Charger, Taurus, Camry, Impala noses look like their production counterparts? IMHO MFG’s are not there to impress and sell that class of cars. Just trucks! Are COT trucks next? With “A” crew man pit stop??? Now that, I would like to see. A single crewman doing “all” service, where no crewman can work more than a single stop throughout the race. Do you save your best stuff for last?