2023 NASCAR THREAD!!!

That's the point I am trying to make and merely throwing out other possibilities. I never said they were the most likely possibilities. I just said part of me wonders about it. Especially given that we've seen relatively similar crashes before and never saw the cage bend in like that. But, again, the most likely possibility is that either something needs to be re-engineered or something was improperly installed (intentionally or not). We'll likely soon find out.

 

I think this is more of a one off so far for this car. I think what caused so much damage was that the new car is so much tougher than any previous generation. In essence the spear in this case was much more substantial. I expect the 41 was going in excess of 150 when he hit dead center on a car with zero forward momentum. That is not something seen often.

 

I would tend to agree. Either way, it's definitely alarming.

 

When you see how these cars are built you'll see that the "passenger" side is not as structurally integrated as the Drivers compartment. Any of the cars running Sunday would have had the same damage with that hit.
They took the car to see if they can make some improvements to the structural design on that side.
Every car they race has to meet the design criteria.
This is a picture of that design. From the rule book.

Drivers compartment on the left of picture.

 

Adding to this, as with most parts on these cars, that component is a single source part. As someone said above. The Teams trying any modification, weight saving or otherwise, to that part would be highly unlikely. Especially with a Hendrick type team.
Each one is serial numbered and documented. I'm sure the company who built it, Technique Chassie, was at the NASCAR R&D when the car arrived.
They, Technique Chassie, supply all the chassis components for every Cup Team.

 

And then Hendrick fills them with acid to lighten them up.

 

Jesus Christ, people. My point in saying the car was taken back to R&D wasn't to say they were looking at HMS doing something wrong. I merely said "part of me wonders" and I added conspiracy theory type information relating to HMS trying to get a competitive advantage. Now we're acting like this is the only possibility I was saying would be the cause of the damage.

 

All of the Chassis are Built by Technique Chassis for All Of The Teams after they are built they are sent to NASCAR to be inspected and certified for the teams to construct the car. I don't see how any team could mess with the Chassis and not throw up a red flag during Inspection.

 

They are so serious about the chassis, teams are only allowed to use a black wrap on the cage around the driver on the bars. No additional paint anywhere.
Black wrap is for better viewing of the sponsor stickers, for the T.V. drivers camera. The stickers have to be approved by NASCAR.

No disrespect to anyone on the comments. Just pointing out some things a lot of people may not realize.
It is surprising how so much of this car and equipment is from a single source vendor. Even something as simple as the jack post on each side comes from a single source, (Technique), and can not be modified in any way.
Most of the recent penalties have been from teams tweaking the small parts like mounting brackets.

 

Bowman now expected to miss a few weeks with fractured vertibre after a sprint car race in Iowa.

 

Josh Berry to fill in. Good for him. He's getting that Cup experience.

 

At this rate Josh berry is going to qualify for a waiver!

 

I work the Dover Race this weekend, home track, and Darlington in a couple weeks.
Those of you who might watch ARCA, the East Series is running Dover Fri evening. Only 15 cars entered...that race will be on Flo TV.
With that said. The weather report for here this weekend sucks. And Mon., as a make up day is not much better.
I will try to post up some pics as the weekend progresses.

 

At what point do you have to announce yourself as a full time competitor?! I mean... At this point he has a chance to make top 30 and he came damn close to a win already... If he does manage to win one what does HMS do?!

 

Dover Ready!!

 

Happy Birthday Austin Dillon.

 

Fuck him!

 

He has already declared in xfinity but I’m sure HMS could get a waiver. LOL

 

I mean, he's the reason KB is in the 8 so I can't hate on him too much. Even though he doesn't live up to the 3. I like Dale Jr's solution though. Have them switch the fonts when reusing certain numbers like that. Give it a new identity. At least Byron is running a different color number than Gordon. Bowman, not so much. I love the current 5 and it's different enough from Terry's famous font even though Terry ran the backwards slant longer.