Jeff Gordon sees no issue with use of double-file restarts at Daytona

By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon is second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings heading into Saturday's race at Daytona International Speedway. (David Griffin / NASCAR Scene)

Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon is second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings heading into Saturday's race at Daytona International Speedway.

David Griffin
NASCAR Scene

Hendrick Motorsports’ Jeff Gordon figures the new double-file restart rules in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will give drivers a chance to take a bit of a break in this weekend’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Well, sort of. Drafting plays an important role in racing at the famed 2.5-mile oval, and three- and four-wide battles are commonplace.

“The racing at Daytona is usually spectacular, and I don’t expect anything different this weekend,” Gordon said. “We’re usually racing in a tight pack where you could find yourself in the middle of three-wide through the corner. Your level of concentration must remain sky high because any small mistake can lead to the ‘Big One.’

“The new restart rule has been a great addition to our sport, and I’m interested to see how it plays out this weekend. It may give us a chance to catch our breath and race only two-wide for a few laps.

“Or at least a few corners.”

As part of the new double-file restart rules, the leader picks the lane in which he’d like to restart. At other tracks, one groove usually is preferred over another, making the choice simple.

But at Daytona, the leader will be looking for friends, Gordon said.

“The leader will have more to think about prior to each restart,” Gordon said. “A preferred racing line – the top or the bottom groove through the corners – usually helps the leader determine which lane he chooses for the restart.

“Here, though, drafting partners may enter into the decision-making process. If I’m the leader and I have the opportunity, I’m going to line up ahead of a teammate and hope we can work together.”

Gordon will be looking for his seventh Daytona victory, having won three times in the Independence Day race and three times in the Daytona 500.

Comments

33 responses to "Jeff Gordon sees no issue with use of double-file restarts at Daytona ". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 3:32 PM

    If one of the greatest drivers in Nascar history likes the double file restart, and the fans love it. What drivers don't like it?? The ones usually a lap or two down? They can't get their sponsors name on TV...

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  2. 2
    gwen_susie388 said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 3:40 PM

    You are so right Jeff! The new restart rule has been a great addition to the sport! I like the double file restarts! It's funny how people don't think the driver's like it, but I have heard many say they do like it or it has been good for the sport! It has made the racing a little more exciting now!

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  3. 3
    Newell44 said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 4:18 PM

    It definitely makes the restarts more exciting. I'm betting that Jeff would have preferred the lap down cars were on his inside at NH instead of Kurt. But it is fair to everyone over the course of time.

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  4. 4
    motorsportsphotography said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    Of coarse all the drivers like the double restart rule on tracks bigger than a mile and a half. No one wants them on short tracks. And by time we get to Martinsville and Bristol we wont have them on short tracks anymore because they will effect the Chase to much.

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  5. 5
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 4:43 PM

    Most drivers have said they like it and it's just a matter of time for them to get use to it. It makes every restart exciting to watch. Good old Buddy Baker said it was the best thing Nascar did in years.

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  6. 6
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 4:54 PM

    I don't think Nascar will appreciate 160,000 fans booing in Bristol. The change was made for the fans, no way are they going to say double file on some tracks and single file on other tracks. The new double file has made the fight to the chase exciting. No rule changes will be made.

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  7. 7
    motorsportsphotography said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 5:06 PM

    Well, Since you are there at the track every week I guess you'll just have to see what happens.

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  8. 8
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 5:32 PM

    Never ever said I was at the track every week. I would like you to direct me to this rule change Nascar came up with.

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  9. 9
    grumpyjim52 said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 5:33 PM

    Looks to be interesting at Daytona, better have a great drafting partner on the restart, or end up back with the lap down cars within five to seven laps laps. I can't wait to see this.

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  10. 10
    bthompson133 said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    it might need some tweeking NEXT YEAR. let the drivers get used to it before messing with it.

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  11. 11
    mbarrett52 said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 8:16 PM

    I like the new restarts,now the lap cars are where they belong, in the back, and not getting in the way of the leaders. This should have been done when they started the lucky dog rule.It makes the racing alot more exciting.

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  12. 12
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    We will see in August at Bristol. Is that when Kasey Khane will debut in his Toyota?

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  13. 13
    KenL88 said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 8:33 PM

    They will not elimate double file for short tracks or for the chase. Some one really needs to think a little harder before they speak.

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  14. 14
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    #13 You are absolutely correct. Nascar implemented that rule for every race. Short tracks included and all races in the chase. Nascar is not going to short change the smaller tracks and not giving them what the bigger tracks have, which is what the fans wanted and Nascar agreed.

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  15. 15
    Anonymous said:
    Jun 30, 2009 at 9:36 PM

    If Jeff likes the double file restarts then it's ok with me. He knows what he is talking about and the best driver out their. GO JEFF GO

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  16. 16
    cmwel2000 said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 2:21 AM

    the only driver i have seen that doesnt like the restarts on short tracks is kyle busch who MSP apparently works for. all he does is support what the great one says. it needs to be at ALL tracks and EVERY race period. and thats how it will be. NASCAR has never been the one to "tweak" operational rules week to week otherwise they would have changed this new car some by now. howard is an idiot who likes to throw around useless knowledge he has from googling all day and researching jayski rumors. lol. fraud

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  17. 17
    gojeffgo said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 7:59 AM

    Did I hear an announcer say with the double file reatart drivers can't pass 'till the start/finish line?

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  18. 18
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    #16 He makes up rumors, but you have to give him credit, he does so in a way which makes the rumor appear real. They start out as Rick said or Joe said, Vickers told me, etc. Just like Kasey Khane driving a toyota by August, which he heard from Richard Petty. Once he gets caught in his lies he leaves that message board and goes on to another one.

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  19. 19
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    OK Here is the truth. I received this e-mail from Jeff Byrd the GM of Bristol Motor Speedway this morning. "Thanks for the email. Unless NASCAR changes the rules (again), we will have double file restarts at Bristol. I personally believe that Bristol stands to benefit from double file restarts more than any other track. The racing should be better than ever".

    Jeff Byrd
    BMS/GM

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  20. 20
    motorsportsphotography said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 11:42 AM

    Hey idiot, I see you have been smoking pot again. I don't make up any rumors, Your the KING of that. its funny that they are still talking about putting Kasey in a Toyota this year as recent as yesterday. I don't read other sites like you do. I don't sit on my computer like you do and steal pictures off of racing sites and post them here like you took them. And I don't get caught like you say I do and leave topics. And BMS has no say in the decisions NASCAR makes. Try again LOSER

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  21. 21
    motorsportsphotography said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 11:48 AM

    By the way, The picture of Dales new paint scheme you stole and posted was illegally taken from the HMS site. If you look at the bottom of the page you would have noticed it is illegal to copy or duplicate anything on that site.

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  22. 22
    motorsportsphotography said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 12:11 PM

    Kasey will also be in a Toyota this weekend in the NW race. I love those Toyotas.

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  23. 23
    gwen_susie388 said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 1:19 PM

    You better love them, since you work for them....lol

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  24. 24
    motorsportsphotography said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 1:46 PM

    Hey Gwen, You coming down to Daytona for the water skiing championships? lol. If you are I have some nice new shots of Dale for ya. Let me know

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  25. 25
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    #20 you are back to your usual stupid self. Listen to this Kahne will not be in a toyota in a sprint cup race this year. GOT IT! Steal what pictures??? Name ONE. Double file restarts at Bristol GOT IT! That photo I stole you moron was sent to me from HMS, to share with my friends. Did I steal the photos from the M&M suite where you didn't know what track it was from?? Grow up. Apparently you have no idea as to who Mr Byrd is. Leave me alone. You should be thankful I correct your mistakes.

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  26. 26
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    Did I also steal the photo of my wife at LMS taken inside the the Lowes tent?

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  27. 27
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 2:36 PM

    #20 you are right and I was wrong. You don't make up any rumors, you just post rumors and not facts. I am deeply sorry.

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  28. 28
    motorsportsphotography said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    The shot of Dales car is one of a set of fourteen taken at HMS. Pictures have a unique code that follow them around. That shot was not sent to you from anyone at HMS because no employee over there would send copyrighted material out to someone other than media. You downloaded the shot yourself because it has the same pixel ratio as the one on the site. You are one of the reasons we don't put recent shots on the Internet because we lose money when people can just get them off the Internet. Its just like music

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  29. 29
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM

    Then where are the other 13 photos posted?

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  30. 30
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 3:03 PM

    Wouldn't they be hidden from the public so as you say they can be sold? How was I able to get a hidden picture?

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  31. 31
    motorsportsphotography said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 3:10 PM

    All 14 of them are on Hendrick Motor sports site. They are on there to look at, not duplicate.

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  32. 32
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 3:16 PM

    And every week I receive an email from HMS and a picture of one of their cars. I posted that picture for Gwen. E-mail HMS and have them tell me to take it down. Good luck.

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  33. 33
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Jul 1, 2009 at 3:26 PM

    Is it possible we get back to the double file restarts?

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