[Racer Duck]

I was scanning some news items and ran across this: Unser on board :: IndyCar® Series. I was unaware that the IRL had a staff of legends who provide coaching to drivers, and wondered if this might be a worthwhile idea for NASCAR to pursue?

Basically, there would be a retired Champion on hand at every NASCAR event, including scheduled track testing sessions, to provide some helpful comments to (mostly) non-veteran drivers. In IRL's case they have Al Unser, Al Unser, Jr., Johnny Rutherford, and Rick Mears as "driver coaches"

What's your opinion? Would this work in NASCAR?

[PettyBlue]

I was thinking Nascar had a rookie class meeting ran by a vet at the tracks now.

[LSC9901]

Lemme see, now would Tony listen to Richard Petty ???, Would Kyle Busch listen to Bobby Allison, Would Kurt listen to Rusty ????

I don't see it happening and honestly I think by the time you make it to the top you should not need that type of coaching. I suspect between the owners and CC's there is plenty of advice being given.

Especially now, I can't even see Rusty being able to give advice. This car is something most if not all of the retirees have never been in.

[SpaceCadet]

Rick might want to give Casey a few pointers. I'm thinking the big ego's in NASCAR would prevent any learning from taking place.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Lemme see, now would Tony listen to Richard Petty ???, Would Kyle Busch listen to Bobby Allison, Would Kurt listen to Rusty ????

I don't see it happening and honestly I think by the time you make it to the top you should not need that type of coaching. I suspect between the owners and CC's there is plenty of advice being given.

Especially now, I can't even see Rusty being able to give advice. This car is something most if not all of the retirees have never been in.

the premise of the question was to help "non-veteran" drivers in the series. Tony, Kyle and Kurt are Cup & Cup-lite veterans. If you've been in the series 3, 4, 5 years, you're a vet whether you drive like it or not.

Most of the IRL "coaches" haven't driven the current iteration of the IRL car... In fact, Unser, Jr. said he "thought" he remembered driving it...

I think for many new to the series drivers, it could be invaluable in showing them the best and worst lines on specific tracks, what to expect from the "new" car they're stepping into and techniques to driving they may not have known.

Think about this: would Sam Hornish, Jr., Helio Castroneves, Jacques Villenueve, A.J. Almendinger, Mike Bliss, or J.J. Yeley (Champions all) have benefited from being able to talk to Richard Petty, Buddy Baker, Junior Johnson, Terry Labonte, Benny Parsons and others about the tracks, cars, lines, things to be aware of that's different from those they might have experience with?

Crew chiefs don't usually talk driver lingo .. in many instances, they've never raced or have been more adept at setups than driving. A good spotter is usually a driver, crew chiefs aren't. How many times have you heard someone say how beneficial it is having an ex driver spotting for a new guy?

And, Lord knows, drivers don't need advice from owners on how to negotiate particular track sections they're having trouble with. As much as I respect Penske, Gannassi, and Roush, they're not the first I'd turn to if I were having trouble getting the hang of a particular maneuver or line.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

Rick might want to give Casey a few pointers. I'm thinking the big ego's in NASCAR would prevent any learning from taking place.

on what? how to pad his bank account?

you don't think there's big ego's in IRL and the former Champ Car series?

[PettyBlue]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Lemme see, now would Tony listen to Richard Petty ???, Would Kyle Busch listen to Bobby Allison, Would Kurt listen to Rusty ????

I don't see it happening and honestly I think by the time you make it to the top you should not need that type of coaching. I suspect between the owners and CC's there is plenty of advice being given.

Especially now, I can't even see Rusty being able to give advice. This car is something most if not all of the retirees have never been in.

The rookie class is ran by an active vet that is current and has driven the new cars,LSC.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

The rookie class is ran by an active vet that is current and has driven the new cars,LSC.

is there a particular driver assigned permanently, or is this a one time deal?

my concern here would be an "active vet" might have team affiliations that undermine the "openness" required to provide adequate "instruction."

[PettyBlue]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

is there a particular driver assigned permanently, or is this a one time deal?

my concern here would be an "active vet" might have team affiliations that undermine the "openness" required to provide adequate "instruction."

Very good question and one that I can not answer with any true knowledge.I would think that if I were driving out on the track as a vet,I would give you,as a rookie the truth about lines and such so you don't kill me.After all I am rich,don't kill me now,rookie.Lol.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Very good question and one that I can not answer with any true knowledge.I would think that if I were driving out on the track as a vet,I would give you,as a rookie the truth about lines and such so you don't kill me.After all I am rich,don't kill me now,rookie.Lol.

yeah, but both you and I know that I'd help you not kill me, but I wouldn't help you beat me!

[jks812]

Most of your teams with the new drivers have veteran drivers on them. I would think that the owner would encourage the vet to help the new one.

[PettyBlue]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

yeah, but both you and I know that I'd help you not kill me, but I wouldn't help you beat me!

Very true but what driver can win them all?Richard came close with 10 in a row and 27 total,thats about it as history goes in cup.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by jks812

Most of your teams with the new drivers have veteran drivers on them. I would think that the owner would encourage the vet to help the new one.

and who does the HOF or BAM or [insert name of other small team] driver talk to?

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Very true but what driver can win them all?Richard came close with 10 in a row and 27 total,thats about it as history goes in cup.

wasn't talking about wins, though wins are important. I'd want whoever I was mentoring to be awfully good before I'd accept helping them to consistently finish ahead of me.

along that line, my hat's off to Gordo for bringing JJ into the HMS fold and not once have I heard anything from him except pride in what JJ's accomplished, even though JJ's beaten Gordo in both wins and championships during that time.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

and who does the HOF or BAM or [insert name of other small team] driver talk to?

BAM has Schrader, who happens to be a vet. HOF, I wouldn't doubt that they still have access to Terry Labonte.

[Phils20]

I'm sure Al Unser Jr could show these guys some local hot spots!

Just don't count on him to be the designated driver!

(cheap shot, I know)

Actually, that might not the that bad of an idea. But I think they would have to be currenet. And most of these guys are driving until they are 50, and when they are done, it's the travel that does them in!

The IRL runs what, less than 20 races a year??