Fuel mileage the focus as Cup series heads to Michigan
By Jared Turner - SceneDaily Staff Writer
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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As Sprint Cup Series drivers and teams prepare to take on Michigan International Speedway for Sunday’s 3M Performance 400, the quest to achieve better fuel mileage is weighing heavily on many minds.
In the most recent race at Michigan, on June 15, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to victory lane after stretching his last tank of fuel the final 55 laps.
Other frontrunners, meanwhile, saw their hopes of a strong finish ruined when they were forced to come to pit road for a late splash.
And it wasn't the first time fuel mileage has played a role in the outcome at Michigan. Fuel economy has a history of shaping results at the 2-mile track.
Will spectators witness another fuel-mileage race on Sunday?
Maybe not. But don’t rule it out, some of the participants say.
“It could turn into a fuel-mileage race at any time, so you really have to be on your toes and be aware of what could happen,” said Tony Eury Jr., the crew chief on Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 car.
While Eury and Earnhardt Jr. got the better end of the fuel-mileage deal in June, others were left to wonder what might have been if only they had had just a little more left in the tank.
“We were pretty good there in the spring race but came up short on the fuel mileage at the end,” Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s Mark Martin said. “It cost us a certain top-five finish. We should be able to take what we learned back there and have another strong run. Hopefully, this time we won't get burned on the fuel mileage.”
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch likewise got the short end of the fuel-mileage stick when the series last convened at Michigan and he was forced to pit late. He’s hoping for a different turn of events this time around.
“For me, coming to Michigan, I tend to run well here, for whatever reason, and the biggest deal is trying to finish and finish up front,” said Busch, who is seeking his ninth win of the season. “We ran toward the front there in June, but we ended up making a late pit stop, and with all the fuel mileage strategy that was going on, we ended up getting shuffled back.
“We’ve had some great runs with the car that we are bringing this weekend, so I’m hoping we can improve on our June finish.”
Whether Sunday’s outcome is determined by fuel economy or not, one matter is certain: Horsepower will factor heavily into the equation at the high-speed track, as always.
Finding a balance between conserving fuel and going fast is part of the challenge that drivers and teams face.
“Michigan is one of those places that you need the entire package to compete for the win,” Richard Childress Racing’s Kevin Harvick said. “Being successful has a lot do with the horsepower that is under the hood.”
Finding a racing groove that best suits a car’s handling characteristics and yields the fastest laps is also important.
“Michigan is actually a lot like Atlanta, where I’ve usually run well,” said DEI’s Paul Menard. “The track has a very wide racing surface where you can really search around and find a place that your car likes and will work at.”
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Mark Martin
Comments
3 responses to "Fuel mileage the focus as Cup series heads to Michigan"
Ray Greenseth said:
Aug 14, 2008 at 11:17 AMI like a race where the fastest car wins, not the one who gets the best gas mileage. There not racing for fuel mileage. So lets hope and pray that the fastest car wins
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJohn Lockhart said:
Aug 14, 2008 at 1:38 PMIt may be just me that kind of likes a little drama in a race.That yes some driver has the fastest car but may not make it to the checkered flag.It evens things out a little for all the drivers.
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This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportTim the Fan said:
Aug 14, 2008 at 1:53 PMDoesn't this throw a damper on Jeff Burton's statements last week about how NASCAR is better now than ever? NA$CAR calls it parity, now that any one of twenty cars can win on any given Sunday. Racing is about speed, not fuel milage and it tells you how bad this sport has deteriated in the last few years. Hey guys, I got an old Metro at 45mpg. anyone interested?
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This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
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