Phoenix International Raceway
2021 Spring Phoenix Race Review
The 2021 Spring Phoenix Race Review highlights lots of leaders, and more green-flag passing that we’ve seen at the spring race for quite some time. […]
Phoenix International Raceway
2020 Rules Package
Did NASCAR’s Short-Track Package Solve its Short-Track Problem?
Although Sunday’s race at Phoenix was encouraging, one data point is not enough evidence to prove that NASCAR’s short-track package has solved its short-track problem. I guarantee you that the engineers at the NASCAR R&D […]
Graph of the Day
Phoenix Qualifying Report
Phoenix qualifying gave us our first look at the new short-track package instituted to address shortcomings in 2019 racing in a competitive setting. What does qualifying tell us about the field? The Pole Time 38 […]
Graph of the Day
Phoenix Spring Race: Passing
As I said yesterday, Phoenix is nothing if not consistent, and passing is no different, whether it’s passing for position or passing for the lead. Leaders NASCAR reports lead changes, but I designed the quality […]
Cautions
Phoenix Spring Race: Cautions
All eyes are on Phoenix this week, not only for the spring race, but also to glean clues as to what we should expect in terms of cautions and lead changes when we return in […]
Aerodynamics
One NASCAR Rules Package for All Tracks?
NASCAR wants to cut costs for teams by developing a rules package that, with minimal tweaking, provides good racing at any track. The 2019 rules package met with mixed results. Races were mostly better at […]
Graphs and Charts
Was Phoenix a ‘Bad Race’?
A lot was written last week about the Phoenix race being a ‘bad race’ — but was it? In comparison to what? The typical race at Phoenix? Our memories of races at Phoenix? Our expectations? […]
Aerodynamics
Composite Race Car Bodies
You Never Forget Your First One My first car was a greenish-brown 1969 Buick LeSabre with a 123-inch wheel base and a 230-horsepower two-barrel V-8. That puppy weighed about 4200 lbs and taught me everything […]
Brakes
Tire Management
NASCAR is very clear about what teams can and can not do to the tires. Teams may not use any chemical or physical means of altering the tires, which means no siping (cutting grooves into the tires), no chemical softening, not even heat blankets to pre-warm the tires are allowed. Basically, you can’t do anything to the tires. This means that when a tire blows out, it’s the tire’s fault. Right? […]
Graphs and Charts
Does Daytona Qualifying Really Matter?
Okay, it obviously does if you’re one of the cars that fails to make the race. But beyond that- given the huge amount of attention that’s been given to the ’embarrassment’ that was this year’s […]