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made so much of the condition of their cars. Today drivers go into long detail about "we were loose going into 2 but tight coming out of 4 but tight/loose in the center/end of 3 and the pit road was narrow and we only had a 6th place car but then these 9 things happened to us and that's why we finished 18th." But I seldom hear any driver say "we crashed because we didn't sleep well last night" or something similar indicating that driver was at fault, unless the driver very obviously was the problem. I know teams speak in terms of "we" but it seems like so many drivers feel they didn't contribute to any losses.
My memory isn't the best but I don't recall the greats putting all the blame for not winning on a bunch of tiny details that have nothign to do with them. "We weren't fast today" us about all I recall. I also don't remember drivers being so particular about their cars, or is that a function of being able to change so many things during a modern race?
I think it has more to do with the teams having a better handle on what is and isn't working other than just knowing the car wasn't fast enough like back in the day.
I think it has more to do with the teams having a better handle on what is and isn't working other than just knowing the car wasn't fast enough like back in the day.
Yep!
The sport has become overly technical with engineers and such. I think this is what has driven away some of the old fans. They just don't relate to the modern day NASCAR.
But even with all the brains in the pit and the shop, that driver still has to relay the info to the crew. It still takes a lot of talent to do that as well as quick reflexes.
Always fun to see a driver hang it out on the edge and NOT crash when he goes past that point.
If you've ever set up and raced cars, there is some rationalization of what drivers are talking about. However many of the Bratts we have today are kings of the blame game.
The differences for the most part are the platform they use, (chassis and suspension), has not change much in the past 50 years. Sure components have been upgraded, but not a lot has changed with the platform itself. What has changed is speed, aerodynamics and more of a competitive field from front to rear.
With the advent of these newer body designs, lack of travel in the suspensions, and coil binding of the springs, these cars are very evil and on the edge of breaking lose in every turn. They have become so aero dependant, that the least little bit of down force and side force disturbance can send a good car into the wall.
The whining, finger pointing, and drama have always been there. It was just handled differently without a camera and mic being present.
Take a Saturday night and drop by one the local dirt tracks. Can be quite entertaining to say the least!
Honestly, if NASCAR would allow the drivers and teams to handle issues like they did back in the old days, viewership and attendance might come back.
I remember a 'some what' famous line from Ryan Newman; "I ran out of talent"
I have heard drivers blame themselves for screw ups but the drivers are so good today that in most occurrences, especially the drivers that get interviewed at the end of a race, it really is the equipment that made the difference.
The whining, finger pointing, and drama have always been there. It was just handled differently without a camera and mic being present.
Take a Saturday night and drop by one the local dirt tracks. Can be quite entertaining to say the least!
Honestly, if NASCAR would allow the drivers and teams to handle issues like they did back in the old days, viewership and attendance might come back.
I remember a 'some what' famous line from Ryan Newman; "I ran out of talent"
I have heard drivers blame themselves for screw ups but the drivers are so good today that in most occurrences, especially the drivers that get interviewed at the end of a race, it really is the equipment that made the difference.
That's some appreciated honesty!
I should clarify that this is actually two different issues for me. I understand that the crew needs all the info they can get to maximize the adjsutments on the car during the race. What bugs me is all the...excuses...err...I mean reasons...why a driver didn't do better. Did the greats all have perfect cars when they won?
I was an Earnhardt fan, not only because I was involved with his career in a very minor way due to a couple friends and neighbors, but because he went out and drove to win. I look at his son and think that he just isn't willing (or able?) to give that extra 1% necessary to win. His gear and team are the best that can be had, no doubt. He leads often and runs competitively, but can't quite take the flag at the end of the day. Then we hear about how disappointed he is that they didn't have the speed they ahd in practice, or some other reason. Well, drive the damn car faster. I find it near impossible to believe that one can only win if their car is perfect.
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Originally Posted by American Luxury
I think it has more to do with the teams having a better handle on what is and isn't working other than just knowing the car wasn't fast enough like back in the day.
Don't forget they used to race 'real' cars made from actual manufacturers' bodies in white, they didn't have the degree of adjustability that today's purpose built race cars have.
Well, Jr aint his dad and to be fair.. no body is.
There are several reasons Jr doesn't win and sometimes it is the the car like yesterday. Jimmy had the car and no one was going to pass him period. At Talledega, he was waiting for the last lap to pass Jamie when bad luck and a caution cost him..
But I think the main reason he doesn't win is he is too damn careful not to wreck anybody. ie, he wont do what is necessary to win especially if it means ruining someone elses' day.. he wont do that and that's the main reason he doesn't win (IMO!) His daddy didn't have that problem.. his daddy wanted to win at all costs.
Another thing that I believe clearly defines Jr from his daddy is the money. Sr was racing and winning to make a living, to put food on the table, especially in his early days of racing. Jr never had that problem. Jr doesn't have to win to make a living, he does that simply because of his name.. To put it bluntly, he is not as hungry as his dad was...
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