Tweet
I saw the best dirt LM feature last night! Two contenders went at it for 35 laps, much to the delight of the South Carolina fans at Lake View Motor Speedway.
The top two cars took a different approach to this "Run What Ya Brung" type race, and the result was one car that was a rocket down the straights while the other was on a rail through the corners. The difference was clear: 2 or 3 car lengths gained every straight for one car, and 2 or 3 car made back up in the corner for the other car.
Both of these guys are successful locals, so they knew the track well and expected to win. What was the difference? Aero and body.
Because it was an open comp race, the #22 in the shapshot below put on the big sideboards while the other car took a more modest approach. Did this sideboard bog the motor of the 22? I think so; I have seen this car win quite a bit and it is pretty powerful.
So the #22 was on the attack the whole way, despite losing so much ground on the straights. In fact, he passed the leader in lapped traffic, but naturally the yellow came out. Ultimately, this car finished second by a few feet and I would have lost my bet. If it could have stayed green longer, I think the aero car would have outrun the other, but it went the way it went.
And that is the whole point: these cars were NOT cookie-cutter, template bodied twins. Instead they were wide open, figure it out for yourself outlaws that put on a hell of a race.
Given the choice, I'll buy a ticked for a battle instead of a parade every time!
The top two cars took a different approach to this "Run What Ya Brung" type race, and the result was one car that was a rocket down the straights while the other was on a rail through the corners. The difference was clear: 2 or 3 car lengths gained every straight for one car, and 2 or 3 car made back up in the corner for the other car.
Both of these guys are successful locals, so they knew the track well and expected to win. What was the difference? Aero and body.
Because it was an open comp race, the #22 in the shapshot below put on the big sideboards while the other car took a more modest approach. Did this sideboard bog the motor of the 22? I think so; I have seen this car win quite a bit and it is pretty powerful.
So the #22 was on the attack the whole way, despite losing so much ground on the straights. In fact, he passed the leader in lapped traffic, but naturally the yellow came out. Ultimately, this car finished second by a few feet and I would have lost my bet. If it could have stayed green longer, I think the aero car would have outrun the other, but it went the way it went.
And that is the whole point: these cars were NOT cookie-cutter, template bodied twins. Instead they were wide open, figure it out for yourself outlaws that put on a hell of a race.
Given the choice, I'll buy a ticked for a battle instead of a parade every time!
Attached Files
Comment