Plate Racing

[eyepatrol]

So I've only been following the sport for 5 years or so now, and if I'm not mistaken, sometime back around 1987(?) or thereabouts they started to implement restrictor plates. Now, I'm not mechanically inclined, but what's your guys' opinions on the thought of not having plates with todays cars and races? Would it spread the field out more? Would Daytona and Talladega become more of a Vegas? What speeds would these guys be running and would it just be too unsafe to do such a thing? If I remember correctly, some of those races before plates the cars were hitting, what, 210? 212? Would they be pushing 225 now days? I know the tracks now have the safer barriers, but with increased speed, and the high speeds they already run, would the use of a safer barrier be negated due to the increase in speed?

Just curious what your guys' thoughts are on this. I suppose this question/topic has been discussed before, but I don't really feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Oh, and just a side comment...I would've been watching the sport much longer, but my folks and friends I've roomed with over the years never cared for it...."why sit there and watch cars go in circles for 3 hours"....well, let's see...there's drama, anticipation, living on the edge, speed, more speed, feuds and I'll admit a wreck can make things interesting, but I always hope the guys come out of it alright. And I'll admit, if I WERE more mechanically inclined, the mechanics and engineering of the cars would make more sense and thus be of much more interest also.

[lawdog]

Rusty did a test there last year for some new radio system they are trying out. He was doing almost 230 mph without the plates on. The speed was nuts. He said it was fun alone but there was no way they could race like that.

The plate package needs fixing to give them more race ability with less pack racing, but I don't have any answers to how obviously. Seems to me it has to do with taking away aerodynamics and giving back horsepower though. I think if I'm not mistaken the trucks run unrestricted at Daytona and put on a whale of a race every year. They are aero nightmares of course, but they race great there. Also, as a general rule, slower speeds equals better racing!

[JohnMickish]

I heard the speeds could be as high as 240 with the body they use today. I always wondered how it would be if you where to take like a Bristol body and a michigan motor and put it on Daytona. I don't know if the car would be undrivable in traffic at speed or not. I believe that part of the COT thinking is that the big front and large greenhouse will allow them to use a bigger plate (or none at all) and bring it more inline with the truck racing there.

Plate racing sucks. It's exciting but it ain't racin'. 90% car and 10% driver.

[harvey lee]

Plate racing stinks.You put all the cars in one pack,wait until the last 15-20 laps and then someone does something stupid and half the field wrecks.

There has to be a way to run unrestricted and turn the race back to skill and handling and break up the pack.I would rather watch a 1.5 mile track race anyday.

I dont know why they couldnt build a new motor package,change aero package and then let them race as stated above.I believe the fans would see a better race and the drivers would like it better also.

I think tommorrow you will see a few burned up motors from heat damage if they start using thier nose to push and hard bump drafting.There is not much if any support left in the nose area.A hit to the front will probably mean radiator damage.

[LMITOUT]

A couple of years ago they had a great aero package which "dirtied" up the air and allowed them to pass. I think there may have been a record number of passes in one race with that set-up.

The Busch cars running in today's race have a similar package and it's typically better racing. I wish I could remember just why they did away with that on the cup cars as it seemed like they were moving in the right direction and now they are back to pack racing again with no passing. It might have been right after that they went to the smaller fuel cells to try to break up the packs. That's fine too but now you might have two or three groups of cars that can't pass each other for a short time until they catch up with each other again to form one pack. Maybe someone else knows....

[JohnMickish]

I think they got rid of that package because the cars didn't stay in one pack, and that is what the fans have come to like about these tracks.

Of the fans that prefer the plate races, what do you guys think the percentage is that watch if for the wrecks and not the race? 50%? 75%?

[harvey lee]

I would guess that 50% watch and wait fir the big one.

[PERCHJR]

It's not racing that's for sure, get in line and follow!!! CASHCAR is selling out more and more every year!!!

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISHING!!!

[harvey lee]

The plate races could be run in 25 laps as thats what the race ends up to be,a last 20 shootout.Why race the others?

[eyepatrol]

Gotta get those commercials and plugs in for sponsors.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I agree with lawdog when he says slower speeds make for better racing.

Having said that, my humble opinion is take the plates off and let em run. If ya don't want to race a super duper fast car then don't get in it.

I understand why the plates are there. Going that fast would make for some really nasty wrecks and yes, injuries and fatalities. But I stick to my guns when I say these are "Supposed" to be the best drivers out there. (Yes, many could argue that) The best drivers should be able to race at those high speeds and if they can't or are afraid to, don't get in the car.

[JKing]

I agree with everyone else here. Get rid of the plates. All the cars are so equal that once they get side by side they can't pass unless they get a little "Bump" from behind. In order for them to get rid of the plates though I think they will have to "dirty" up the cars Alot. Like say stand the front wind shields up, require them to have more clearence between the fenders & the wheels, maybe even knock the front headlights out so they have alot of drag.

I'd even be up for having the current plate cars go back to a retro look. Pick a car from the 70's or early 80's & use those templates for Datona & Dega.

We'll see what the COT brings but I dought they will be able to completly get rid of the plates & I don't think that CASHCAR (good one Perchjr) really has that in mind in the 1st place.

Just a few thoughts on that issue.

[VMS]

After watching a very entertaining Busch race, I would say get that top chunk of metal back on top of the car to make a bigger hole in the air.

the plates will not come off, but they need to make it so these cars can suck up and slingshot more. It would help to eliminate all the slam drafting, the side-by side racing in extremely close quarters and definitely NOT create the stupid racing that took place on lap 10 today.

Steve

[NAPAFISH]

I think Rusty knows more bout racing than everybody on this board put together. Whatever Rusty says bout it is fine by me.

I love plate racing. Where else do have a crapshoot for who is going to win? I like the pack racing, lot better than the Choo-choo racing at Boringsville. I think there is more skill to plate racing than is shown on the surface

[NAPAFISH]

Quote:

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Plate racing sucks. It's exciting but it ain't racin'. 90% car and 10% driver.

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Dont be a hater cause the Fords dont win in Florida and Sweet Home Alabama

[JohnMickish]

Yea, but Mikey is still 36th in owners points!

Seriously though, the fords ran well but it's hard to tell during the middle of the race if everybody else is just "cruizing" or racing.