jcmark611 - 04 July 2009 08:08 PM

Dumb question:

Why are road courses such great "equalizers"? It cannot be engineering as this is only Coyne second trip to this track. It really cannot be drivers because Dario wrecked, Helio crapped out and Danica finished ahead of all her teammates so, we know it's not how good the driver is either. What is it?

I think there are two reasons.
1. The limited mods you are allowed to make to the cars make a major difference on ovals...but become insignificant on road courses.
2. The driver IS a bigger factor on road courses. Don't be fooled just because a couple of guys messed up (Maybe they've been driving too many ovals lately ). And don't underestimate Coyne. They have moved up from being "shoestring" to "lowbudget", they've hired a good engineer for Wilson, and Wilson is a technical geek anyway. I think they can figure out a road course at least as well as AGR, don't you think?

TURN8 - 04 July 2009 09:13 PM

jcmark611 - 04 July 2009 08:08 PM

Dumb question:

Why are road courses such great "equalizers"? It cannot be engineering as this is only Coyne second trip to this track. It really cannot be drivers because Dario wrecked, Helio crapped out and Danica finished ahead of all her teammates so, we know it's not how good the driver is either. What is it?

I think there are two reasons.
1. The limited mods you are allowed to make to the cars make a major difference on ovals...but become insignificant on road courses.
2. The driver IS a bigger factor on road courses. Don't be fooled just because a couple of guys messed up (Maybe they've been driving too many ovals lately ). And don't underestimate Coyne. They have moved up from being "shoestring" to "lowbudget", they've hired a good engineer for Wilson, and Wilson is a technical geek anyway. I think they can figure out a road course at least as well as AGR, don't you think?

I'm inclined to agree with that. I have never underestimated Wilson's prowess as a driver & i think Coyne has good people for RC.

thebatsignal - 04 July 2009 08:24 PM

- Graham Rahal penalized = tech's wrath strikes [NHL] again.
- Milka Duno P19 despite having the slowest qualification time of 1:33.6824 (more than 2 seconds off the pace of Richard Antinucci and Ed Carpenter).

Why and why?

Great day yesterday (although wicked cold for the 4th of July!), props to Wilson, Moraes, and Conway for a great qualifying session; though the win (like last year until Dixon screwed up) will likely be fought out between Dixon & Briscoe and hopefully Wilson. Dancia, Rahal & Marco looked good too, watching from the boot Danica seemed much more agressive than in past years and looked as fast as any of the quick guys. Looking foward to a very good race, heading back up in 15 minutes to make it in time for the morning warmup.
Even the night's free concert was really good, The President's of the United States of America put on nice show and kept the crowd rocking. I only knew them from their debut record with "peaches", "lump", and "kitty" but the whole show was quite good. Not getting home til 1AM was kinda a drag though
I must say (having been to every IRL race here) yesterdays crowd was sparse...not a good sign. Upstate NY, like most places in the US, has an econmy in crapper with high unemployment and those with jobs never certain how secure they are so I'm sure that played a role. Another thing that really does turn people away is the NASCAR owned tracks insane policy for GA ticket holders. If you buy the right pass/ticket you can bring your car inside the circuit, which helps to facilitate getting around (it's a big place) to view from several areas. GA ticket holders are forced to park in the lots outside the track at turn 1, and then walk for miles to get anywhere. If you carry a chair & cooler that makes it a PIA to get to the esses, inner loop, boot, etc. For the IRL weekend there's no reason there couldn't be infield parking allowed. I can see why tradition road racing fans would come once or twice and say that it's not worth the hassle. I've talked to many fans over the years that have said that is a reason they will stay home and watch on TV.
Enough soapbox, wife & kid are about ready so I'm outta here, enjoy on TV!

Hitokiri2 - 04 July 2009 10:49 PM

thebatsignal - 04 July 2009 08:24 PM

- Milka Duno P19 despite having the slowest qualification time of 1:33.6824 (more than 2 seconds off the pace of Richard Antinucci and Ed Carpenter).

Why and why?

Its the unusual way the grid is formed from 13th back based on starting with 2 seperate groups.

With the 2 groups, the top 6 from each group advance to the 3rd sesion, however 13th on back are sorted by fastest time & what group they were in.

13th will be the 7th fastest from group 1, 14th will be the 7th fastest from group 2, 15th will be the 8th fastest from group 1, 16th will be the 8th fastest from group 2 & so on....

Milka was in Group 1 so was placed ahead of Antinucci & Carpenter who were both in Group 2. Also Group 2 had 1 more car than group 1 which is why Milka ended up 19th rather than 20th.

Helio fastest in final warmup this morning. Milka crashed trying to hold off Mario Moraes. She let Danica by going into the boot but held Moraes up for over a lap and then looped it coming out of turn 7. (I think it was 7). It really was a bone head move as there was no reason to try and stay in front of Moraes!
Might be tough to get her car fixed in time.

TelegramTrophyRace - 05 July 2009 09:11 AM

Milka crashed trying to hold off Mario Moraes. She let Danica by going into the boot but held Moraes up for over a lap and then looped it coming out of turn 7. (I think it was 7). It really was a bone head move as there was no reason to try and stay in front of Moraes!

You act surprised?!?!?

DamonG19 - 05 July 2009 09:27 AM

TelegramTrophyRace - 05 July 2009 09:11 AM

Milka crashed trying to hold off Mario Moraes. She let Danica by going into the boot but held Moraes up for over a lap and then looped it coming out of turn 7. (I think it was 7). It really was a bone head move as there was no reason to try and stay in front of Moraes!

You act surprised?!?!?

Not surprised at all ... just telling it like it is! And Curt Cavin just twittered that she may not make the race...

TelegramTrophyRace - 05 July 2009 10:28 AM

Not surprised at all ... just telling it like it is! And Curt Cavin just twittered that she may not make the race...

I know many well be happy to see Milka out of the race no matter what the circumstances but if she's out because of the accident I hope she's get better.

Hitokiri2 - 05 July 2009 10:40 AM

TelegramTrophyRace - 05 July 2009 10:28 AM

Not surprised at all ... just telling it like it is! And Curt Cavin just twittered that she may not make the race...

I know many well be happy to see Milka out of the race no matter what the circumstances but if she's out because of the accident I hope she's get better.

It's the car that's too hurt, not her ... she's fine.