After seeing the race on Sunday, which included a piece regarding the oil tank cover incident, I understand now just exactly what was going on.

I had no idea, when I last commented, that the tank cover being off would not only allow for an evacuation of the air under the car but did so in an area of low pressure, which could actually create a small amount of increased downforce on top of the gain realized by not having the car riding on a cushion of air.

I also now understand that the cover could come off, unintentionally, without flying out onto the track because of the attached evacuation hose. After seeing the location and nature of the opening created it’s clear that all four corners of the car experience increased downforce when the cover is removed.

During the race, D.W. said he thought the gain was really minimal and Carl would’ve won the race anyway. I don’t think that’s the point. Carl had an unfair advantage and, normally, competitors with unfair advantages suffer severe consequences.

Take track and field, for instance, if a runner sets a world record in, say, the 100 meter dash but the wind at their back exceeds a certain speed, the record doesn’t count. Marion Jones admitted to steroid use and, even if she would’ve won all those Olympic medals anyway, they’ve been stripped.

I’m not sure I agree with you about disallowing the car from a subsequent race but I’m all for taking the trophy and handing it off to Junior. NASCAR has always been reluctant to impose those sanctions, though, and, probably won’t begin doing so any time soon. You know their history every bit as well as I do.

As far as Tony Stewart is concerned, his team and sponsors should insist that he never speak to the press immediately following a win ’cause he’s one of those guys that has absolutely no comprehension of the concept of public relations.

He could be right about Goodyear and I know he, and every other driver out there on Sunday, had their hands full with a car that, as one crew chief said, could be adjusted to run tight or loose but not happy. Still, he should have kept his mouth shut. I follow IRL and Formula 1 racing, as well, and they all have, at one time or another, been saddled with a tire that just doesn’t work.

Tony’s not a bad guy after the heat of the moment has passed but, catch him immediately after the race, and he’s a racer first and a PR guy last.

Who’d have thunk it - Shrub doing well and winning? When we last saw him, he was a former disgraced Hendricks driver and the third in line at JGR. The kid has talent, and if he is in a good car that he doesn’t burn out, he’ll be in contention for wins. Personally, I’d pretty well written him off for at least a year or two.

I have to disagree slightly with ya on the Edwards issue. I’m of the opinion that they have been pretty consistent in handing out penalties associated with the “new car.” Starting last season, any performance enhancing modifications not allowed in the rules have been the 100pt/$100k/6mo probation variety. Yeah, just taking away ten points for winning the race might not seem like much, but it fits with a “progressive discipline” approach. I’d betcha if Edward’s team gets caught with any little infraction during the probationary period, the S will hit the fan. When JJ and Knause were caught several times with their hands in the cookie jar, there seemed to be no penalty for repeatedly being caught. Darby said on CB Lang’s show that once they had served their probation, the slate was wiped clean. So, even if the 48 was caught in the gray area, they were lucky enough not to be caught in a probationary period, serving their sentences as it were. Nascar seems to be pretty consistent in this regard.

Tony - well, in many ways he is a throwback to earlier drivers who said what was on their minds. His driving ability reinforces this idea. He also might be more than a bit spoiled and childish. I think he has a point about the quality of the tire Goodyear brings. GY brought a different tire than the one they all tested with - and had setup data on. It threw all the teams a big curve. The whole issue is also related to the car, and it’s ability to produce sufficient downforce and mechanical grip compared to the older car. The new car rolls over on the right side more than the old one. Harder tires on the right are the standard solution. Goodyear seems to be erring on the side of too hard.

And, I agree - fuel prices are gonna affect attendance. Not just Nascar, either. Nascar isn’t the only sport with astronomic ticket prices. I gave up going to Arrowhead in KC some years ago just because the cost to get in was way too high, much less motel rooms and driving there. There is nothing like the experience of being at the race or at a game, but no seat in the house gives a better picture than what is on tv for free.

Hope your arm heals up - hang in there!