Ask The Insiders Wednesday #17

Mother Nature nearly drowned NASCAR at Martinsville, but the sun came out Sunday and Monday, and we saw some great racing.  Now, we’ve given Monday and Tuesday a Jimmie Johnson/Kevin Harvick-style bump and run pass, and we make it to Wednesday and more reader questions.  If you don’t know what this post is, until further notice, we will be answering any and all reader questions every Wednesday, right here.  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 Dan:

What is the situation with the number 3? Since the death of Dale Earnhardt the number has not been used. Doesn’t  NASCAR own the numbers that owners use? Aren’t they required to use them or give them up? I think the owners have to request or renew the numbers each year. Correct? I believe RCR continues to have the number 3, but does not use it. Certainly NASCAR didn’t retire the number or we would have heard about it. Suppose a new team would request the number since it’s not actually being used.

Childress does still technically have the number. I suppose if they wanted, NASCAR could give the number away, but they wouldn’t and won’t. I honestly don’t know what they will do with it in the future, but it is presently in a state of semi-permanent purgatory. There are plenty of numbers out there, so not having the #3 is not a burden. – Journo

2. From Maytag:

Just a few years ago in my opinion we saw the best cup race at Martinsville after only the lower groove was ground. Of course they ended up repaving it but I wonder why some of the other tracks haven’t taken notice of this. Any insight?

I think just because the grinding process worked at Martinsville a few years back, that doesn’t mean it would work everywhere, at every track.  Since then, Martinsville has even been repaved.  You have to keep in mind that each track is very different, even if they look similar to others, and will react differently to changes.  And if you will remember, a “grinding” process took place a few years back at Lowes Motor Speedway, and it made the track almost undriveable, because the speeds were so high. – T.C.

3. From bb:

Could you give us less technical race fans an explanation of exactly what “wedge” is and how it’s adjustments affect a car’s weight balance and car handling, Also, could you tell us  exactly how trackbar adjustments affect things, That way when we hear that they went “up” or “down” on the TB or increased or decreased wedge, we know what they are trying to do. Basically, what do you do to tighten or loosen a car using these parameters. Thanks!

I actually wrote a post about this very subject.  Here is the link.  For an even more detailed explanation of the wedge adjustment, check out this blog post.  And just for a quick reference guide, here is a basic rundown of what adjustment does what:

Left Rear Wedge Bolt: Turns Out = Loosen the car, Turns In = Tighten the car
Right Rear Wedge Bolt: Turns Out = Tighten the car, Turns In = Loosen the car
Trackbar: Raise = Loosen the car, Lower = Tighten the car
-T.C.

4. From James:

I got an email the other day about something involved with NASCAR that is the Maximum Driver? I got a link sent to me about it and when I went to it, it was countdown clock. Do you know what this is? the website was http://maximumdriver.tv/ I wasn’t exactly sure what it was but by the days it should be something in Texas.

I’m sorry, I have no idea what this is. I couldn’t find anything in the brief internet search I did, though it looks like there are others out there wondering what it is too. – Journo

5. From Bobby:

I’d like to see your opinions and input on the stunt Kyle Busch and a radio station pulled in D.C.  I think it shows his total lack of maturity as well as his carelessness.  Either Nascar or Joe Gibbs needs to do something about it.

I actually thought it was kind of funny. At various points through the thing they had police escorts and I highly doubt anyone was ever in danger (Lindsay Czarniak was in the car with Kyle). As long as drivers aren’t doing drugs are taking part in highly illegal activities NASCAR and Joe Gibbs aren’t going to get in the business of regulating what they do in their time off. It was a silly radio promotion that seems to have worked because a lot of people were talking about it. – Journo

6. From Terry:

I work in an industry that is heavily scrutinized by OSHA for workers safety. We are schooled/trained continuously on working safe and following government safety regulations. With the dangerous buisness of working on pit road or even in the garage repairing wrecked cars, it seems that safety sometimes gets lost or is overlooked for speed. Does OSHA ever get involved in overlooking the pit crews safety? We use a video of a pit stop as a training tool to identify unsafe work practices. I know you are trying to be safe but there is “I am working safe” versus “OSHA safe”.

I believe that sports are not regulated by OSHA.  I think if there are problems with employees in the race shop not being safe, OSHA can get involved.  But at the track, with drivers and pit crews, I don’t think there are any rules.  With a simple Google search, I found this quote from an OSHA director: “In most cases, however, OSHA does not take enforcement action with regard to professional athletes.”  Obviously what we do as pit crews is inherently dangerous, but I think we all do the best we can to try and remain safe.  But that probably doesn’t mean “OSHA safe.”   -T.C.

7. From Anonymous:

I noticed after the race [on Sunday] while the network was doing driver interviews that most of the teams were pushing their cars back to the garage. Not long ago, Kyle Busch was “damned” for leaving his car on pit road after the race.  What is the real story?

Kyle didn’t leave his car on pit road after Bristol, he left it in turn three.  And the reason he left it in turn three, was because that was the closest place to the pedestrian tunnel.  Depending on the track, cars are left by drivers in certain areas, but by design.  Turn three, at any track, is not one of those areas. – T.C.

8. From Bob:

On short tracks the driver has to use the brake a lot. On most street cars the brake and clutch pedals are usually “higher” or closer to the drivers then the accelerator. I know the drivers legs can get tired from braking at each turn. My question is how much position adjustment can you give the pedal?  Is it a standard mandated componant? And just to be “out there” has anyone ever swapped positions of the brake and clutch pedals. I know the guys us their right foot to brake from time to time but in some situations…?

I have never heard of anyone switching the brake and clutch pedals, but anything is certainly possible.  The only rules regarding pedals that I can find are that the brake and clutch must be mounted no further then 10 inches back from the firewall, they must be mounted above the steering column, not be aluminum, and have no holes drilled in the arms.  Also, they must be of a design that is acceptable to NASCAR officials.  Other then that, teams are free to do what they want. – T.C.

9. From Brad:

Do the teams/drivers hire catering companies and/or personal chefs to cook for them during a race weekend or do they use the just eat whatever is available at or around the track for that weekend?

I actually wrote a post about this a while back. Most teams make their hauler drivers cook for the teams during the weekend; they go to the grocery store and plan out menus. Others get food catered or get food from the tracks. It all just depends on the priorities of the team. – Journo

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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