http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/05/06/ask-the-insiders-wednesday-22/ A blog by insiders for outsiders Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:03:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/05/06/ask-the-insiders-wednesday-22/comment-page-1/#comment-7679 Neon Wed, 06 May 2009 17:27:33 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=1458#comment-7679 Piggybacking on TC’s response to #3 Steph (welcome aboard) on tire wear. New tire rubber is most pliable (softer) when they begin a run. A good set of scuffs (a tire w/ (1) minor heat cycle) can be a real asset. As a side load is placed, not only on the contact surface but also the side wall, on the tire the heat, flex, pressure and wear make all a moving target. Although one usually doesn’t think of the tire as the suspension per se, it is “the” integral ingredient. Rest assured, Goodyear could build a tire to last a whole lot longer, but that wouldn’t be any fun now, would it? If you were not following the sport when Rockingham was a stop on the Cup circuit, you missed some of the best racing ever and pure example of tire management during runs. The surface was of shale (sea shells mixed in) that just ate new tires alive. That racing separated the smart/patient drivers from those that were fast, but just short sighted. A hot day at the The Rock w/ few cautions & long runs was a thing of beauty! #10 Steve-Drivers are a lot like tires during a run….a moving target. IMO there is a whole lot more disparity between the 43 driver’s in shear driving skill, knowledge and communication skills than most like to talk about. Piggybacking on TC’s response to #3 Steph (welcome aboard) on tire wear. New tire rubber is most pliable (softer) when they begin a run. A good set of scuffs (a tire w/ (1) minor heat cycle) can be a real asset. As a side load is placed, not only on the contact surface but also the side wall, on the tire the heat, flex, pressure and wear make all a moving target. Although one usually doesn’t think of the tire as the suspension per se, it is “the” integral ingredient. Rest assured, Goodyear could build a tire to last a whole lot longer, but that wouldn’t be any fun now, would it?
If you were not following the sport when Rockingham was a stop on the Cup circuit, you missed some of the best racing ever and pure example of tire management during runs. The surface was of shale (sea shells mixed in) that just ate new tires alive. That racing separated the smart/patient drivers from those that were fast, but just short sighted. A hot day at the The Rock w/ few cautions & long runs was a thing of beauty!
#10 Steve-Drivers are a lot like tires during a run….a moving target. IMO there is a whole lot more disparity between the 43 driver’s in shear driving skill, knowledge and communication skills than most like to talk about.

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