PackFan4evr wrote:   11 loses it and and turned Edward.

PackME01VT0308 wrote:

I thought I would share a few thoughts from 2012 and going into 2013 for those that are interested.  First off, I was glad to see the #2 car win the championship.  I think they have been the best team the last year and a half and did a brilliant job of executing.  It was also nice to see Roger Penske get his first cup championship. From the few times I have met him and the people I know who have worked for him, he is extremely impressive.  He demands a lot, but he always gives his people respect and the resources they need to be successful.  He is one of the most respected men in all of motorsports for good reason.

As some of you know I spent most of last year working with the #10 car.  That was an extremely enjoyable experience and I learned a lot.  I really enjoyed working with Danica and wish her success.  She is extremely personable, humble, respectful, and great to be around.  I think she has a very good feel for what the car is doing and has a burning desire to learn what she needs out of the car.  The biggest things I think she needs to continue improving is to trust what she is feeling and have confidence to push the car.  Some of that comes from experience and some of it is a mentality.  In the Indy car series they only have 2-3 cars so it is a big deal if you crash one.  In our series the cars are somewhat disposable since they get rebuilt after every run.  The guys that are really fast may not like crashing a car, but they are quick to shake it off when it happens.  Most of the top guys have torn up a bunch of stuff going through the learning curve and that is just part of it.  I think Danica just needs to continue to work on the confidence to push the car on low tire pressure and early in the race.  She had many times where she was as fast as guys running in the top 5-10, so the next step is to start each run at that pace.  I know she has the right attitude, focus, and skill to get there.

Near the end of the season, I switched over to the #39 car as part of a team reorganization.  That was a neat experience to get to work with Ryan.  He is by far the most “plugged in” driver I have ever been around.  It is amazing the things he picks up on and how slow the game seems to move for him.  Ryan is very in-tune with what we are doing, which can be a challenge to keep up w/ him, but also very helpful to stay on the right track.  I feel we struggled a little with speed at the end of 2012, but did a really good job at execution allowing us to finish with two top 5s.

For the 2013 season, I am remaining with the #39 car.  I am really looking forward to the challenge and I think we can achieve great things.  The entire team is hungry to show that we can find speed and execute good strategy.  The most obvious change for this year is the new body, but there are a few other things that may be even more significant.  First off there are changes to the rear suspension rules outlawing many of the things (toed housing, rear axle skew, rear swaybars, truck arm bushings) that teams were using to turn the car.  I doubt there is a team in the garage that will not have to make any significant setup changes to work around these rules.  The car weights have also changed, so there will more emphasis than ever on building lighter parts.  Finally, NASCAR has gone to a new laser measurement platform for the chassis portion of the inspection process.  Learning how to work within the framework of the new system will be a challenge for the teams in the early going. 

Anyhow, we are off to a good start at SHR with speed in all of our cars during Daytona qualifying.  It will be interesting to see how that translates into the draft.  Then the real learning process begins at Phoenix and Las Vegas.  I hope everyone enjoys the season, and I will try to check in periodically with my experience from the road.

GO PACK!!! GO SHR !!!

Packone72 wrote: www.vipbox.tv/motorsports/1346...eam-online.html

PackChem91 wrote:

PackFan4evr wrote: Bayne is leading at the halfway point in the 1st race.

Getting ready to pit.

Mike Joy driving me nuts with his continual updates of who's in the transfer spot (15th place) with over half the race to go.
Hey, it's Daytona, they shift several positions every lap when in a pack.  Give it a rest until there are single digit laps to go.

If they were smart, and really wanted to get back to their 'roots'. . they'd just put the MRN/PRN broadcast over the race.

copper2945 wrote:

If they were smart, and really wanted to get back to their 'roots'. . they'd just put the MRN/PRN broadcast over the race.

Superfanologist wrote: Paul Menard, yes Paul Menard is fast as hell if anyone would work with him..

Superfanologist wrote: Sorority Girl Sun Glasses wins Duel #2.

Superfanologist wrote: I don't buy the myth that Busch is the best talent in the sport. Zero championships during a career with nothing but top flight equipment ends that argument.

copper2945 wrote:

Superfanologist wrote: I don't buy the myth that Busch is the best talent in the sport. Zero championships during a career with nothing but top flight equipment ends that argument.

I have heard interviews, recently, with Larry Mac and Marty Smith and they both said it too. . FWIW.  The reason he has not won any championships i that he is immature and a headcase.

Superfanologist wrote: Speed got in because Truex was DQ'ed when he came to pit road with no passenger.

copper2945 wrote:

If they were smart, and really wanted to get back to their 'roots'. . they'd just put the MRN/PRN broadcast over the race.

SidsSouljahBoy wrote:

copper2945 wrote:

If they were smart, and really wanted to get back to their 'roots'. . they'd just put the MRN/PRN broadcast over the race.

ELI GOLD!

FLWolf88 wrote:

Superfanologist wrote: Speed got in because Truex was DQ'ed when he came to pit road with no passenger.

Say what??

copper2945 wrote:

Superfanologist wrote: I don't buy the myth that Busch is the best talent in the sport. Zero championships during a career with nothing but top flight equipment ends that argument.

I have heard interviews, recently, with Larry Mac and Marty Smith and they both said it too. . FWIW.  The reason he has not won any championships i that he is immature and a headcase.

copper2945 wrote: 150 miles, and then 500 miles is a ton on an engine.  I think if I was a Crew Chief, I would set the cars up identical. . .use the dual as a test, make my notes, and then either blow the engine (or just switch cars if you can).  Then my backup car (which is really my primary car) would have changes made to it and the engine would have zero miles on it except for happy hour.

Because it seems that going and riding around in the back until about 50 laps left is the best strategy.

Superfanologist wrote:

FLWolf88 wrote:

Superfanologist wrote: Speed got in because Truex was DQ'ed when he came to pit road with no passenger.

Say what??

lol, meant to say passenger side window. Missing equipment led to the DQ.

copper2945 wrote: 150 miles, and then 500 miles is a ton on an engine.  I think if I was a Crew Chief, I would set the cars up identical. . .use the dual as a test, make my notes, and then either blow the engine (or just switch cars if you can).  Then my backup car (which is really my primary car) would have changes made to it and the engine would have zero miles on it except for happy hour.

Because it seems that going and riding around in the back until about 50 laps left is the best strategy.