What differences did you see in the COT at 'Dega as far as aerodynamics and handling?

Question

...Examples...

Were they more stable?

Were they effected by the wall of air created from other cars?

How did a single car stand on it's own and is it still possible for a single car to make a pass by side drafting (easing real close to the car beside him)?

Add any additional observations you feel supports the original part of the question?

Ur ur urmm: KP.. what hapened to Stewart? lol

Answer 1

I think it reacted the same as it has all year. They are a very stable car. As far as drafting or passing alone. Staying in line in the draft is still much faster and easier to pass. Like at Bristol the COT made the race more of a "get in line and follow me" contest. There was one notable "big one" of 11 cars, but that was due to a blown right front tire by the 43, not the usual aero push associated with Talladega. I'm not against the COT and by no means do I want to see any driver wreck and get hurt, but I think they need to allow the teams a certain amount room to adjust the aerodynamics and the shocks on the car. The way they have it now takes the team aspect out of the race and does not allow the teams room to adapt to changes on the track.

Answer 2

The lines definitely closed on one another faster than they had before. I think that was probably more due to the larger restrictor plate and more horsepower instead of the draft. If you watched Wind Tunnel last night Dave Despain brought up an interesting observation. Have you ever heard the term "draft lock" used before? I can't recall having heard that but it was used several times during the race at Talladega. I also think the wider stance and bumpers account for the enhanced stability of the COT more so than aerodynamics. I was happy to see Kyle Petty was fine after really hitting the wall hard on the driver's side. One thing we didn't see a lot of was cars getting turned backwards at 190+ mph. You will see a couple of nasty wrecks in the future when the air catches that rear wing just right as the COT gets spun around at high speeds.

Answer 3

I think the cars lasted longer in the race then the older cars might have. I think that the COT is heavier and bulkier and that they can withstand alot more damage then the older car, so yes I believe that they were more stable. As far as the balance of the car, I think that more teams were struggling with the tires and the balance that the tires had on the car, and that some sets really vibrated while others didnt, as that was what happened to Kyle Petty.

I dont think that the wall of air affected them greatly, as you still have the clean air, the dirty air, and the draft lock, and then you have the side drafts, and its just the same old techniques that you use at Talladega that you would at any other Talladega race.

I dont think the single cars did very well. For instance, Matt Kenseth slowed up and was running by himself, in order to cool his car down, which he accomplished but in order to get back with the draft, his teammate, Carl Edwards, literally slowed down the pack of cars that he was leading in the draft, at the back of the pack, and let him catch up. I think side drafting was still possible but I think the key with this race and car was definitely being apart of the draft, and having a really good handling racecar.

Answer 4

I hate the COT. First any actual looks that make the cars appear a little different are gone. Secondly while it is safer, I don't know that we haven't already made rasing pretty safe. The cars seemed to like to stay in a single line more than often I think Junior said it was the most boring race he had ever been in. I would like to see them increase the hole in the restrictor plates at the 4 plate races. I believe that with the roof flaps, COT, softer barriers, etc. the cars are safer and can be let to run up at 215 or so once again on those tracks.

Answer 5

I went to dega and over the radio, the drivers said the car handles well but they cant see two cars in front of them...thats what Biffle said when he ran into the back of Carl Edwards...from what i saw at the race- it doesnt look like the cars can get a really good run on somebody like they could with the COY...I really didnt like the single file "racing"...even Gordon wasnt to thrilled about the new car in the Victory Lane interview.

Answer 6

Having gone to races at Talladega since 1969 I've seen all sorts of changes and I was impressed with the COT at Talladega.Overall the car reminded me of the old full body "Detroit" cars of the 60's and 70's.
Yes they were bulky and at times appeared cumbersome but boy would they hook up in the draft.Look at the move gordon did to pass Johnson,that was a classic slingshot move,it looked like the moves before restrictor plates.
But one thing that impressed me more was the saftey of the care(when Kyle Petty crashed drivers side first,this would have caused injury just a couple of years ago,but Sunday Kyle walked away).
So for the first race of the COT on a superspeedway I'll give it thumbs up .

Answer 7

They were more stable. They could stand up better to the bump drafting, because the car doing the bumping didn't lift the wheels on the car getting bumped.
What happened to Stewart? Jeff blocked him and then left him dry.
Stewart had the fastest times in Fridays practices, and qualified the fastest of the cars that qualified in race trim. Apparently, nobody was interested enough in improving their finishing position to draft with him.
He never got those white flames. (good one mearn!)

Answer 8

They looked more stable to me. I really didn't see many cars moving around or sliding up to the wall. Usually there was a reason, like a cut tire or other failure.

It was easier to catch up to the draft, there weren't many stragglers and the leaders were never able to check out with 3 to 5 cars as has been common up till now.

Something needs to be changed though. This is starting to resemble velodrome bike racing with people taking it easy till the last lap. I am happy for Gordon fans and the actual last lap was good and demonstrated how good Jeff is but what were the first 490 miles for?


Mearn, you made me laugh out loud!!!! Rusty is so bad he is funny.

Answer 9

I really didn't like them one bit. I have been a supporter of them but I wait the year for the 2 Daytona, and 2 Talladega race's and this was one disappointing race. When the drivers complain about it being boring then I just isn't me.
They better fix it because they screw these tracks up they are in trouble. The only tracks that ANYONE of them could win on and you had this follow the leader junk. Horrible horrible horrible.
The cars looked like they were moving around a bit and Labonte's wreck was the only weird one and he didn't know what caused it.
I give it a big fat F.

Answer 10

They seemed to be more stable,not so much running up by the wall,with a car up beside it...If that [is] the case,bad for Jr....he live's on the high-groove !!!