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Once again, it’s time for the MENCS teams to take on the “Tricky Triangle” for the first of the two races there this summer. BUT it is still up in the air as to whether or not it will be as “tricky” this time around as in the past. With the latest rules package they have been using over the last several races with lots of downforce and which limits them to only 550 horsepower, this fan isn’t sure just how the racing will be on this long “what turn 4” racetrack. I’m not even sure the drivers and crews know how this one will go until it actually gets started.
From this fan’s view, practice didn’t tell us very much other than the speeds on the straights are down and the turn speeds are up. After paying close attention to qualifying, another thing was quite obvious and it had to do with speed through the turns. Once they gave up time in a turn to the other drivers, it was quite a gap to make up afterwards. That could give an idea of how the racing could go on Sunday (barring rain, that is) and it is another reason I just can’t figure out what kind of racing it’s going to be. Of course I realize no one really cares what I can figure out and I’m okay with that. What I do want to say is that I really do hope the racing is good and not just another follow the leader type of thing.
Now let me add, I don’t think it will be a runaway for one or two drivers but, with the way things go at times, chances are high that one person could dominate the whole race. Let me also add, it depends on which driver and team it might be that dominates that will make all the difference in whether I like it or not.
Taking a quick look back at the 600 at Charlotte last weekend, many people have stated they thought it was the best 600 ever. I can’t say that I disagree and it was a very interesting race for the entirety of the 600 miles.
My biggest question (along with many others) is, “Why was it that way. What might have been the reason or reasons for it being viewed that way?” Was it because of the package they ran with high downforce and marginalized horse power? Was it because there were four stages? Was it really just a better race or did it have to do with the sixteen cautions?
Well, I can’t answer for everybody but, I do have to give you my opinion. I think it had more to do with the multiple cautions along with the four stages resulting in a large number of restarts and closer racing which, in turn lead to a more interesting and exciting race. Of course, that’s just my opinion.
Some mentioned it was because this particular package NASCAR mandates is particularly good at night races. That also may be the case or, at least, one possibility but there is one other reason I would like to bring up. Although I know there are a lot of possible reasons for the more interesting and exciting racing with this particular package, I have another opinion to offer. It may just be my imagination, but it seems since they mandated the higher spoiler on the rear deck lid that it had at least something to do with equalizing the competition.
Before the higher spoiler, the Chevys had trouble keeping up with the Toyotas and Fords. Afterwards – and, admittedly, it could be coincidental – it seemed the Chevys immediately became more competitive. I realize all the teams put in a lot of work to go fast and the Toyotas and Fords have been faster than the Chevys for almost two seasons. Now we not only see the Chevys consistently qualifying at or near the front but, they are more competitive at the end of the races, too.
Okay, now that I’ve stated my view, I have to ask, “Will the racing be as interesting at Pocono with the same package they’ve been running (including at Charlotte and Kansas?) If all we have are the breaks at the stages and long green flag runs, I’m not so sure. I’m not saying that’s the way it will go, but it is a possibility. It is also possible there could be some extra cautions and that the race could be wrought with accidents. We haven’t really seen how they will run when they actually start the race and all of the drivers are jostling for position as the enter the first turn, head to turn two, the tunnel turn, and make a near 90 degree turn towards turn three (or that area that’s missing turn four.)
Just a thought a I close this out. William Byron has won his third pole starting position and I can’t help but wonder if he might not show us a repeat of Denny Hamlin back in his rookie year when he sat on the pole and won both races that year. Will this be Byron’s first win in the MENCS and at one of NASCAR’s trickiest tracks? Well, I’m not making any predictions but… let’s just say… um… It’s a possibility…
See ya next time…
All views expressed are strictly the opinion of the writer
© June 1, 2019 – all rights reserved
Rusty Norman, Nascarfansview.com and Justafansview.com
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All music TwoBuckThemes from Mike Stewart unless otherwise stated