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Crew chief
Drew Blickensderfer answers fan questions once a week.
Submit your question
here. |
July 9, 2009 |
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2009 Q&A
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Q |
When you guys are at Michigan do you guys always
have a fuel saving plan since Michigan is all
about saving fuel?
Levi Harden,
Geneseo, Ill. |
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A |
Michigan isn’t always a fuel-saving race. We try
to make the most power we can since it is a big fast place, but during the race
we try to plan stops so we can make it on fuel at the end if are put in a
situation where we have to.
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Q |
Hi Drew. As an engineer I am curious as to how
much you rely on computer simulation to get an
initial setup for a particular track?
David Klyde,
Cerritos, Calif. |
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A |
We rely heavily on simulation. Since on-track
testing is no longer available, Chip runs
simulation throughout the week and gives me what
the computer says is best for a particular
track. We look to see how different the set-up
is based on what was run the previous time at
the track, and decide which direction to head
for the upcoming weekend.
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Q |
After over two years of COT, do you know if
NASCAR is already planning changes on it, maybe
aerodynamic on the body or something like that?
Or are they going to leave it as it is for the
next years. Good luck for next weekend!
Jonas Kohler,
Brunswick, Germany |
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A |
I don’t see any changes coming to the current
COT. People are trying to save money, and
changes to the car would require more cost.
Although, opening up tolerances and letting us
work on the bodies a little would probably make
Matt and myself pretty happy.
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Q |
Hi Drew, when it’s toward the end of a race and
one of the Roush drivers is at the front of the
field (preferably Matt), and Jack Roush gets on
top of the pit box, what does he do and say to
the crew chief? Thanks and good luck in the rest
of the season.
Alex Geiger, Woodburn, Ind. |
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A |
When Jack has come down to the box at the end,
it usually is a good thing. He has never said
too much to me at the end of Nationwide or Cup
races. I think he just wants to be the first to
congratulate you if it turns out you’re going to
victory lane.
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Q |
I remember a few years ago at Talladega and
Daytona that teams would really brace up the
front and back ends of their cars so they could
bump draft without destroying the bodywork. Are
you still allowed to brace up the bumpers on the
new cars?
Bradley Green, Hayden, Ala. |
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A |
Yes.
We have really big and strong front and rear
bumpers behind the bodywork for the extra abuse
they get during a plate race.
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