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Crew chief
Drew Blickensderfer answers fan questions once a week.
Submit your question
here. |
Sept.
10, 2009 |
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2009 Q&A
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Q |
I’ve read that Hendrick is using an exotic
pressurized cooling system on his cars, and that
it helps with downforce. I thought you couldn’t
adjust the COT when it affects the downforce?
Chris Jones,
Spanish Fork, Utah |
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A |
I am not sure how “exotic” their pressurized
system is, but we do pressurize our water system. It allows us to run more
grille tape and that increases front downforce tremendously. The pressure in the
water system increases the boiling point of the water, which means the water
temp can run higher without blowing off the radiator cap and losing water.
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Q |
Hi Drew, it seems to me that almost every week
that the 17 car is really good on the short runs
then sorta just drops off. Is that intentional
or is it just how the car reacts after the
adjustments?
Alex Geiger,
Woodburn, Ind. |
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A |
It really isn’t intentional. We have had both
types of cars this year and have struggled on
getting one that will take off good on starts
and then stay decent throughout the run.
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Q |
What’s the biggest difference between working
with Carl and Matt and do you get a chance to
hang out (outside the track) with Matt like you
did with Carl?
Rob Quinones, Bristol, Conn. |
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A |
Matt likes to be around the cars and know what
is in his cars set-up wise more than Carl did. I
actually see Matt a lot more during the week and
talk/text to Matt more than Carl and I did. Matt
and I live in the same town so we see each other
more.
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Q |
Is Jack Roush still hands-on involved in the
carburetor department and final race adjustments
for his teams? Does that carry across the street
to the Yates cars? What’s your and his position
on going to fuel injection?
Mark Sauer, Sarona, Wis. |
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A |
Jack is still hands-on at the racetrack with
carburetor adjustments during practice and
before the race. Fuel injection is something we
will probably head towards sooner or later, but
I think it would be a much harder system for
NASCAR to police so I am sure they want to make
sure the systems will be able to be policed
correctly before starting that process. I am not
sure Jack’s stance on fuel injection for our
race cars.
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Q |
Drew, do you have an update as to when the new
Ford engine will be making its trial runs in the
Cup series? Do you think that is what the Fords
are missing this year since they only have 2
wins?
Ray Barbara, San Jose, Calif. |
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A |
The new engine should be in a car in the next
few weeks. I think the current engine is really
good. The new engine does have some updates that
we are looking forward to though.
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