[PenelopePitStop]

Ok, GTG! Dazzle me with your brilliance!

I've seen the scenario below many times. I'm not going to mention any drivers. That's not what this is about. I'm curious what your take is on this.

Your car is 2 laps down. The leader is coming up to your bumper, and you're about to go 3 laps down. The leader is obviously faster than you. Do you politely let him by, or do you block him with all you've got to prevent him from passing you?

You're the leader. Your coming up on a car that's 2 laps down and he's recklessly blocking you. Meanwhile, the 2nd, 3rd, etc. -place cars are catching you while you battle with this car that's 2 laps down. Do you ride around until you can find an opening? Or do you push him out of the way?

I know NASCAR will flag cars that are laps down to move down for the leader, but that's not every lap. Not from what I've seen anyway. I also know that it would depend on what lap you're on. But in general, what would you do as the lapped car and as the leader?

I don't have a strong opinion on this. I "think" if I were the lapped car, I'd block for a lap or two (unless it was 10 laps to go), then let the leader by. I "think" if I were the leader, I'd give the lapped car just about a lap, then knock him out of the way, but would try not to wreck him.

You?

[oncea3fan]

I "think" if I were the lapped car, I'd block for a lap or two (unless it was 10 laps to go), then let the leader by. I "think" if I were the leader, I'd give the lapped car just about a lap, then knock him out of the way, but would try not to wreck him.

You?

I agree, it is racing, and if he's leading and Iam lapps down then he is oviously faster so let him work his way past me, although I would not block him I'd run my line as hard as I could, 10 or less I'd move over and let them race.

[jks812]

I'd say if you can't pass me ride behind me. I don't believe in this here comes the leader, move over and let him by.

[bears9]

if being lapped im not lettin him get by at all costs .if im going to lap someone ill spin um out then go as fast as i can to get away

[SpaceCadet]

I love this question! My father would fight like crazy to stay on the lead lap. However, he did not block, he held his line every single lap. Any driver worth his salt can get by a car who is holding their line if they are faster, which obviously, they are. If the leaders come up on you in the last 10-20 laps, depending upon stuff like how big a track is it, has it been a caution filled race where there is likely to be another and you'll have a better chance of gaining a few spots on restarts, 99% of the time you just move over and let 'em go. Two laps down is a different story. Usually, it's pretty hard to come back from two or more laps down unless you get the "lucky dog". (Don't get me started on that one.) In "real" racing, there's no such animal. I would keep a steady line down half a groove or so and let them go around the outside without too much trouble. It's tough to say in NASCAR because of that fortunate mutt. Driver's have been able to recover huge disadvantages and come back to win. Jamie McMurray last week, for one, but I can't remember if he used a happy pooch to get his lap back. In a nutshell, easy on the blocking, hold your line, use your head. And if it were the last few laps, making it impossible for the lapped car to significantly improve their position, well, I cannot believe I'm going to type this but, bu-bye now. I will delicately tap you first, then move you totally if you don't get the big picture. And if you've really been scewing with me for a few laps, I would probably regress to allowing anger to rule and knock the crap out of you, lovin' it as I do it. I feel so cheap.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

I love this question! My father would fight like crazy to stay on the lead lap. However, he did not block, he held his line every single lap. Any driver worth his salt can get by a car who is holding their line if they are faster, which obviously, they are. If the leaders come up on you in the last 10-20 laps, depending upon stuff like how big a track is it, has it been a caution filled race where there is likely to be another and you'll have a better chance of gaining a few spots on restarts, 99% of the time you just move over and let 'em go. Two laps down is a different story. Usually, it's pretty hard to come back from two or more laps down unless you get the "lucky dog". (Don't get me started on that one.) In "real" racing, there's no such animal. I would keep a steady line down half a groove or so and let them go around the outside without too much trouble. It's tough to say in NASCAR because of that fortunate mutt. Driver's have been able to recover huge disadvantages and come back to win. Jamie McMurray last week, for one, but I can't remember if he used a happy pooch to get his lap back. In a nutshell, easy on the blocking, hold your line, use your head. And if it were the last few laps, making it impossible for the lapped car to significantly improve their position, well, I cannot believe I'm going to type this but, bu-bye now. I will delicately tap you first, then move you totally if you don't get the big picture. And if you've really been scewing with me for a few laps, I would probably regress to allowing anger to rule and knock the crap out of you, lovin' it as I do it. I feel so cheap.

I love that response!

[vicfirth5150]

As long as I'm being passed by people who have already lapped me, I wouldn't be too concerned. As for passing lap cars, I wouldn't be too agressive, but still try to pass. I would wait for a mistake, seeing they would probably make one sooner or later because they are already a lap down.

[simple simon]

in your scenario you move and let the lead lap cars pass without question

however, and i know this isnt part of your question .... if youre 2 laps down and im 2 laps down and we are racing for position we move for no one ..... we need points for position just like everyone else

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by simple simon

however, and i know this isnt part of your question .... if youre 2 laps down and im 2 laps down and we are racing for position we move for no one ..... we need points for position just like everyone else

Oh, I agree with that!

[Mike24]

if I'm the leader and a lap car is blocking me, I'll move him out of the way. no sense to get screwed out of a win by a LAP CAR by all means.

If I was a lap car, then I would let the leader go by. It's stupid to try to block the leaders, let them go by and have their own race.

[vicfirth5150]

if a lap car is blocking me, I'll just move him out of the way. no sense to get screwed out of a win by a LAP CAR by all means.

As in how? Would you jus give them a little bump, or move them out of the way. In my opinion, that seems a little risky. You say you don't want to get screwed, but in the same sense, if you make a wrong move, you might not even finish the race.

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by vicfirth5150

As in how? Would you jus give them a little bump, or move them out of the way. In my opinion, that seems a little risky. You say you don't want to get screwed, but in the same sense, if you make a wrong move, you might not even finish the race.

Not like "spinning him out", more of like a little bump letting him know I'm getting impatient. I think that would send the message. If it doesn't, what choice do I have? I want to win and nothing else, and I'm not going to let the leaders catch up to me because this lap car won't get out of my way.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Mike24

Not like "spinning him out", more of like a little bump letting him know I'm getting impatient. I think that would send the message. If it doesn't, what choice do I have? I want to win and nothing else, and I'm not going to let the leaders catch up to me because this lap car won't get out of my way.

True. And if you're are talented driver, you will know exactly how to just bump the lapped car out of the way and go for the win.

[vicfirth5150]

Indeed, but if your to aggresive, your gonna pay for it yourself, and not finish the race.

Okay, so Juan Pablo Montoya is very aggresive, and I'm very surprised that he hasn't payed for it yet. But I'm waiting for that moment to happen.

A smarter strategy is waiting for him to either, 1) give up
2) Wait for a mistake

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by vicfirth5150

Indeed, but if your to aggresive, your gonna pay for it yourself, and not finish the race.

Okay, so Juan Pablo Montoya is very aggresive, and I'm very surprised that he hasn't payed for it yet. But I'm waiting for that moment to happen.

A smarter strategy is waiting for him to either, 1) give up
2) Wait for a mistake

Eeeeeeeeek! Please don't mention JPM in this thread ... eeeeeeeek!

I wouldn't wait ... not for very long anyway. But that's easy for me to say sitting here on the couch!