[Bob Tanner]

I don't usually feel Bob Podgrass, of [Winston] Cup Scene writes much worth noting. However, in today's edition I think he makes an interesting point:

"• And one more thing. If Toyota begins to show a competitive edge, watch for the return of intense manufacturer lobbying for rules changes during the 500 week. That used to be a staple of February in Daytona, but NASCAR has done such a good job at parity, it has virtually disappeared. If that does happen, how ironic would it be that it took the introduction of Toyota to bring us back to the “good ol’ days” of manufacturer drama at Speed Weeks? "

Thoughts?

Personally, I think he's dead on and Jack Roush might be in danger of grievous hand injury from pounding on NA__AR's desk.

[wingkey1]

While not a manufacturer, there is some whining going on that asks a gear change of NASCAR because the higher RPM being allowed - "played right in to their hands" - referring to Toyo - even tho other teams that are not Toyo seemed to have got the message as well. Sad thing is all knew of the change to RPM allowance last year. The prime whiner, for reasons only the good Lord knows, decided(?) to ignore or not hear and is looking a lot like a caboose.

Be interesting to see just what a manufacturer would try to get special consideration for. For a number of years there was a lot of requests for help when another manufacturer introduced a new model that raced (aero) better.

[Racer Duck]

You can bet if 'Yota begins finding extra hp in their squirrel cages using saki-soaked bearings and rice-steroid injected squirrels, the other manufacturers, primarily Chevy, will be standing on Brian's desk stamping their collective feet and crying crocodile tears. And so the world turns...

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

You can bet if 'Yota begins finding extra hp in their squirrel cages using saki-soaked bearings and rice-steroid injected squirrels, the other manufacturers, primarily Chevy, will be standing on Brian's desk stamping their collective feet and crying crocodile tears. And so the world turns...

Dang RD... I think that would be eligible for the dictionary as a description of Yota's engines

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

You can bet if 'Yota begins finding extra hp in their squirrel cages using saki-soaked bearings and rice-steroid injected squirrels, the other manufacturers, primarily Chevy, will be standing on Brian's desk stamping their collective feet and crying crocodile tears. And so the world turns...

Which begs the question to those who are followers / fans of Cup - What would you want Brian to do?

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Which begs the question to those who are followers / fans of Cup - What would you want Brian to do?

This may not be the most popular answer, but I would hope Brian would tell them to suck it up and go build a better mouse trap. If you want to beat Toyota then use a little American ingenuity and do it yourself. Stop looking for another rule change to bail you out. Step up to the plate! (I'm gonna duck and run now. )

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

This may not be the most popular answer, but I would hope Brian would tell them to suck it up and go build a better mouse trap. If you want to beat Toyota then use a little American ingenuity and do it yourself. Stop looking for another rule change to bail you out. Step up to the plate! (I'm gonna duck and run now. )

"The Chevy has had more nose jobs than Michael Jackson"- Sterlin Marlin

That bein said, It could be a step back to old NASCAR, but, it would be better if the American manufacturers just stepped it up and stomped. Chevy has, dodge is makin strides, Ford is laggin behind. ( it pained me to type the ford part bein I am a blue-oval raider myself)

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

This may not be the most popular answer, but I would hope Brian would tell them to suck it up and go build a better mouse trap. If you want to beat Toyota then use a little American ingenuity and do it yourself. Stop looking for another rule change to bail you out. Step up to the plate! (I'm gonna duck and run now. )

Agreed. Isn't that really the "good old days" we all long for?? When if you wanted a better car, you had to do it yourself, instead of begging for a break??

Of course, the big problem is that most innovation has been called cheating, and I've been right there too.

What are the race fans to do?

This should get interesting!

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

This may not be the most popular answer, but I would hope Brian would tell them to suck it up and go build a better mouse trap. If you want to beat Toyota then use a little American ingenuity and do it yourself. Stop looking for another rule change to bail you out. Step up to the plate! (I'm gonna duck and run now. )

Looks so far as if this stance isn't all that unpopular at all. We like it here as well. Say what one would, working within the present, the current car actually makes it a bit easier for the governing body to take the - suck it up and go build a better mouse trap - position.

Once upon a time manufacturers could / might and year upon year did respond with - OK forget the Retro-Rocket model of ours that we are currently competing with, we're going to be racing the SliceAirLikaRazor model (wind tunnel testing they had done showed it to slicker than the F22 Raptor of the time).

[obrien]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

This may not be the most popular answer, but I would hope Brian would tell them to suck it up and go build a better mouse trap. If you want to beat Toyota then use a little American ingenuity and do it yourself. Stop looking for another rule change to bail you out. Step up to the plate! (I'm gonna duck and run now. )

But yet they make a rule change to help yota out?

The best thing they could do is tell toyota to leave and go back where they belong.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by obrien

But yet they make a rule change to help yota out?

The best thing they could do is tell toyota to leave and go back where they belong.

Missed the rule change referred to here. Am interested. Can you give the info on it please? Thanks.

[BiscuitMan]

If you think Ford or Chevy is letting other teams know what they really have, you're still dreaming.

Toyota got a "big boost" when they signed up Joe Gibbs Racing. JGR brought a lot to the table with their engine technology improvements to an already good performing engine. They also have some very good drivers in Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Toyota has had a lot of experience in building "high precision" engines for other race program. They are just applying what they know to their NASCAR engine. Last week, a Toyota engine (Lexus) won the 24 hours of Daytona with their Daytona Prototype.

I don't think Ford and Chevy just found out about this last week during pre-season testing. Roush and Hendrick's teams will be prepared, I guarantee it.

BiscuitMan

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

If you think Ford or Chevy is letting other teams know what they really have, you're still dreaming.

Toyota got a "big boost" when they signed up Joe Gibbs Racing. JGR brought a lot to the table with their engine technology improvements to an already good performing engine. They also have some very good drivers in Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Toyota has had a lot of experience in building "high precision" engines for other race program. They are just applying what they know to their NASCAR engine. Last week, a Toyota engine (Lexus) won the 24 hours of Daytona with their Daytona Prototype.

I don't think Ford and Chevy just found out about this last week during pre-season testing. Roush and Hendrick's teams will be prepared, I guarantee it.

BiscuitMan

If you think Ford or Chevy or Toyota, or Mopar is letting other teams know what they really have, you're still dreaming.

2nd to drivers, key JGR brought was race proven chassis.

[obrien]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

While not a manufacturer, there is some whining going on that asks a gear change of NASCAR because the higher RPM being allowed - "played right in to their hands" - referring to Toyo - even tho other teams that are not Toyo seemed to have got the message as well. Sad thing is all knew of the change to RPM allowance last year. The prime whiner, for reasons only the good Lord knows, decided(?) to ignore or not hear and is looking a lot like a caboose.

Be interesting to see just what a manufacturer would try to get special consideration for. For a number of years there was a lot of requests for help when another manufacturer introduced a new model that raced (aero) better.

you said it in your own post.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by obrien

you said it in your own post.

Ah. OK, now we see. This was not a - "rule change to help out yota".

Quick & short explain: This was a change announced to all teams last year that was associated with COT. All teams were informed last year that a different rear end gear would be available/used when they showed up at Daytona this year. Reason was to overcome the less aerodynamic shape of the car. Higher engine RPMs would result from the change.

Apparently all teams but one (The one reported to be making the comment - "Played right in to their hands") went to work with the information and are testing/running OK with it. Teams doing OK with it include those running Chevy's, Fords, Dodge, and Toyo's.

This one owner (Lord only knows why) built and brought motors to Daytona that apparently do not make top power in the higher RPM range. Hence the whining and a request to NASCAR to change the rear gear to his advantage.