NASCAR WCUP: Pontiac Teams React to Rules Changes at Indianapolis

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 29, 2001

DOUG DUCHARDT, NASCAR GROUP MANAGER, GM RACING: (REACTION TO NASCAR'S RULE MODIFICATIONS THAT ALLOWS DODGE TEAMS TO EXTEND THEIR FRONT AIR DAMS TWO INCHES FORWARD BELOW THE BUMPER STARTING WITH THE BRICKYARD 400)

"Based on the data from the Atlanta wind-tunnel test (March 12, 2001), I feel this rule change unnecessary. The results of that test showed that the Dodge front downforce was very close to the Monte Carlo. This new change will give Dodge 30 lbs. of front downforce advantage over Chevrolet. That's a big difference. Last year when NASCAR allowed the Monte Carlos to pull their noses out, it was also a two-inch extension. At that time, the wind-tunnel data supported their decision and the numbers demonstrated the need. There are no numbers to support this allowance.

If this change is based on the lack of on-track performance, then NASCAR needs to consider help for the Pontiacs. While Pontiac has two wins, they were at low-speed tracks, Richmond and Sears Point. I contend that Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the best teams in the garage and they have struggled this year on high downforce tracks. Where is the rule change for Pontiac?

JAMES INCE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 10 VALVOLINE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX: (YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DODGE MODIFICATIONS THAT GO INTO EFFECT STARTING WITH INDIANAPOLIS?)

"Well, I'd like to say I'm surprised, but nothing surprises me anymore. I'm disappointed more than anything else. It's funny, last week was the first time I heard about Dodge having an aero problem and all of a sudden they're getting a change. Here we're sitting with 1996 Pontiacs and struggling, and we can't get any help. I guess I'm a little bit taken back. If it's a balance problem, I guess they don't know they can move the roof over and backwards like everyone else does. Looks like to me like it's a situation where they gave them free downforce. If all the Dodges were running bad it would be one thing, but they got one car out there that runs good every week, and it looks like the rest of them need to figure out what he's doing before they made a rule change.

It's frustrating for us especially. It's more frustrating for us to sit here and watch something we thought we had a real big advantage on earlier in the year with spring rubbers and bump stops being taken away, and now we're struggling with that and all of a sudden you go and make other race teams better. Of course it's frustrating. This is what we do and we're trying to do well with it, but apparently we're not asking for enough."

Text provided by Al Larsen

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