2017 Atlanta

[pmossberg]

Sigh. More of the same.

Practice 1 - 15th

Qualified 30th

Aric, after qualifying, “We had a decent car in practice and hoped to get a good lap in qualifying to start up front. Unfortunately, our car was very loose and felt out of control. It felt like something wasn’t right in the steering. We’ll take a look and fix the issue before practice tomorrow.”

Guess that didn't work out so well, as he ran 24th in the second practice.

Still cheering for the 43. But it's frustrating.

Four Fords, one Chevy, one Toyota in the top 6. That tells me there is no lack of horsepower in the Ford engine!

[ricklou]

Horse power is not the issue, Handling is.

Paul I am not schooling you and never will so here it is.

Most of the regular teams in NASCAR have comparable engines and engine rules have made it relatively easy to make a strong motor.

Years ago compression limits took the game out of the game but fact is that if the car does not handle properly you are done.

Case in point is that each turn at Atlanta is a half mile in length ....think about that. Martinsville is a total of a half mile.

There are a few tracks where horses matter maybe ... California, Michigan and Pocono but the same theory applies. If your car does not turn properly it is an issue.

The above men tracks do require handling to be competitive let alone win.

Yes you need a strong motor but if the car does not turn it will be a long day.

Concerning RPM Aric is still in a learning curve but still listens to Richard and Dale and his crew.

Even if they stink it up Aric is class and does not tear stuff up and keeps his mouth closed. We are lucky to have this fine young man world the famed 43 and it is up the the crew to help him get it right.

[pb1945]

Wow Who'D A Thunk  Paul I'm certain you are correct no horsepower shortage. RPM just can't set a car up anymore. By the way wasn't it the same with Dodge .....some Dodges were winning RPM is at the back of the pack.

I've adjusted to the fact NOTING IS GOING TO CHANGE. 


I'll record the race and watch it later. I think I'm going to do that from now on, I'm a 1 in the morning guy and when I watch it ( recorded ) I can fast forward thru it.             

Rick makes alot of sense. I sure have no problem with Aric and totally agree with Rick RPM is fortunate to have him, he does his best to take what the track and car give him and doesn't tear up a lot of equipment. There is a whole list of other drivers who'd have the 43 on the fence every week.

It is what it is, maybe someday they are finally going to find someone or someone's that can get the car right. I still think they have access to or have the equipment to do what is needed. Just a natter of how long they want to keep on doing the same thing although they say for Public consumption anyway that they have brought in they right folks or folk.

The crew chief knows he's won several races.


Dan 

[pmossberg]

Hey Rick...that was my point.

Quoting myself, "... there is no lack of horsepower in the Ford engine."

I do not believe it's the engine!

[jlp4345]

Agreed, we all here feel it's not engine related, that it is handling, but why does it not at some point get fixed or figured out? I always look at Bayne and Stenhouse, and now even Danica in the Ford, and if they are out performing Aric in any given practice or qualifying or definitely the race, I think to myself why. I mean I heard Aric say they were going back to a bigger alliance this year with Roush like before and that was like back in '14 when they were pretty descent for the most part. I don't want to be too critical too quick this year, I mean there's only been one race that really counts as far as what the season will look like for the most part, but with the way Stenhouse was Sunday, I think Aric should be right there if not better. A lot more experience in Almirola than him or Bayne, so if they're all in same equipment, it would lead one to think Aric could and should out perform.