Need for Speed
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jared Turner
- TEXT SIZE: Increase Text Size Decrease Text Size Reset Text Size
- 5 Comments. Leave a Comment
- Digg This
- Add to Del.icio.us
- RSS Feeds
Winning on fuel mileage is legitimate
Aug
16
The last time the Sprint Cup Series raced at Michigan International Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won on a fuel-mileage gamble.
Second-place finisher Kasey Kahne also stretched his final tank to the finish.
Without fuel mileage on their side, both drivers would have been fortunate just to finish in the top 10.
What a shame to have an outcome settled like this, some said. What a cheap way to win a race, others insisted.
Well, I don’t buy it. As the old adage goes, a win is a win. Doesn’t matter if it’s a result of fuel mileage, or a 20-car crash that takes out half the field or a rainstorm that forces NASCAR to call the race early (hello, Kurt Busch).
If there’s something wrong with winning on a fuel-mileage gamble, why even bother paying a crew chief and a crew? Turn a 400- or 500-mile event into a 10-second drag race in which the fastest guy always wins and be done with it.
While luck is no doubt a factor in races decided by fuel mileage, strategy is just as much a part of it. Watching strategy manifest itself is one of the drawing cards for the folks tuning in at home or looking on from the stands.
If winning on a fuel gamble is somehow less legitimate than winning on raw speed, so is winning because of track position, others’ misfortune, a good drafting partner, rain, etc.
Personally, I find it much more entertaining to watch a guy nurse his car to the finish line not knowing if he’s going to run out of fuel than watching a guy win by 10 seconds. At least that way, the outcome is uncertain until the final lap.
Maybe on Sunday at Michigan, we’ll see another driver go to victory lane on a fuel-mileage gamble. As far as I’m concerned, nothing could be more legitimate or entertaining.
Second-place finisher Kasey Kahne also stretched his final tank to the finish.
Without fuel mileage on their side, both drivers would have been fortunate just to finish in the top 10.
What a shame to have an outcome settled like this, some said. What a cheap way to win a race, others insisted.
Well, I don’t buy it. As the old adage goes, a win is a win. Doesn’t matter if it’s a result of fuel mileage, or a 20-car crash that takes out half the field or a rainstorm that forces NASCAR to call the race early (hello, Kurt Busch).
If there’s something wrong with winning on a fuel-mileage gamble, why even bother paying a crew chief and a crew? Turn a 400- or 500-mile event into a 10-second drag race in which the fastest guy always wins and be done with it.
While luck is no doubt a factor in races decided by fuel mileage, strategy is just as much a part of it. Watching strategy manifest itself is one of the drawing cards for the folks tuning in at home or looking on from the stands.
If winning on a fuel gamble is somehow less legitimate than winning on raw speed, so is winning because of track position, others’ misfortune, a good drafting partner, rain, etc.
Personally, I find it much more entertaining to watch a guy nurse his car to the finish line not knowing if he’s going to run out of fuel than watching a guy win by 10 seconds. At least that way, the outcome is uncertain until the final lap.
Maybe on Sunday at Michigan, we’ll see another driver go to victory lane on a fuel-mileage gamble. As far as I’m concerned, nothing could be more legitimate or entertaining.
Other Blogs
Recent Blog Postings
- Jimmie Johnson too good to be true?
by Art Weinstein | 11/29/2008 - Does winning the Daytona 500 jinx a driver's season?
by Kenny Bruce | 11/29/2008 - NASCAR races aren't boring
by David Exum | 11/26/2008 - Cracking the big three of Jimmie, Carl and Kyle will be tough
by Bob Pockrass | 11/25/2008 - Tough Nationwide season for Brad Keselowski
by Jared Turner | 11/24/2008 - Plenty to think about while waiting for 2009 Cup season to begin
by Rea White | 11/23/2008 - NASCAR should leave some money on the table
by Mike Hembree | 11/21/2008
Poll Position
Which NASCAR competitor should be Driver of the Year?
Comments
5 responses to "Winning on fuel mileage is legitimate"
anonymous said:
Aug 17, 2008 at 6:48 AMGood article
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
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 ReportWorm Dirt said:
Aug 18, 2008 at 10:49 AMI wonder how many drivers out there grew up racing at their local tracks with high hopes and aspirations......and childhood DREAMS.... of one day making it to victory lane.....on a fuel mileage win????? Probably not very many!! It's an inevitable part of the sport and OF COURSE a fuel mileage win is legitimate. But, why the change of heart Jared? You railed on tracks all spring for being susceptible to BORING races and FUEL MILEAGE VICTORIES!!! Are you really a connoisseur, all of the sudden, on the art of fuel mileage strategy..... Or does the number Eighty-Eight have somthing to do with it???
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
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 Reportanonymous said:
Aug 19, 2008 at 8:53 AMalways got to bring the 88 into a comment don't ya wormy? must be suffering from a great case of 88 envy. Like he is the only driver that EVER won a race on fuel mileage. It's no different than pit strategy when rain is threatening to shorten a race. When did that happen with the 88? Do some research and get back to me Einstein of Nascar. If the 88 had run out of fuel and the 9 won, would you still be whining about a fuel mileage victory or is it you have such a hard time grasping reality and that there are legions of dale jr fans out there and you have no concept of how they feel for their driver. Go Carl!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
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 Reportbeth emerson said:
Aug 20, 2008 at 8:10 AMWhy is it when Dale Jr does something that other drivers have done many times before him. it seems to bring out the bad sides in people who are not a fan. Ya all need to lay off the 88 and get a life.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
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 Report4da88 said:
Aug 21, 2008 at 12:55 AMDoesn't that 88 car sure know how to make fuel mileage race exciting?! The technique of flipping that switch off...and then back on again was just superb. The coasting on flat shoulder...like no other. Sneaking up along side pace car...what strategy .. you such a baad boy! Gotta love that Junebug!!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
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 Report