“Classic NASCAR to Ignore a Glaring Issue” – Fans Fume as Sport Opts to Use Same Much-Criticized Procedure of Dealing With Flat Tires at Las Vegas
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USA Today via Reuters
Feb 27, 2022; Fontana, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Erik Jones (43) leads the field during the WISE Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
With the NASCAR Next Gen cars, it will take some time to iron out the issues. One of the biggest issues plaguing the sport has to do with the frequency of flat tires. Related to that is NASCAR’s method of retrieving the cars. As it happens, the method that is in use presently is towing the car back to the pits. Unfortunately, this increases the chances of damaging the cars even further, and none of the drivers like it.
NASCAR will continue to use the same procedure when it comes to flat tires (towing driver back to the pits) this week. No changes to the cars yet to address it (wouldn’t think anything changes until Atlanta at earliest).
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 2, 2022
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Now, it seems that the fans are in agreement with the drivers. This procedure was in effect at the Auto Club Speedway last weekend, and many quickly found out that it was a bad idea. Some fans noted that with the intensive amount of testing that the drivers did, they would have fixed the problem. However, it seemed that the flat tire problem hadn’t reared its head until now, blindsiding everyone.
How did the NASCAR fans respond to this problem flaring up?
Some fans responded, “Classic NASCAR to ignore a glaring issue that multiple parties brought forward during testing and be caught flat footed without a solution with the season already underway. Guess they assumed the problem would magically fix itself?”
A simple flat tire has always had the chance to cause drivers to lose multiple laps.
— Kyle Smith 💉 (@SportsGuy_445) March 2, 2022
You you think with the testing that they did prior to the season beginning, they would’ve known that this was a problem prior to the season beginning and would’ve taken corrective action already!
— Brian Connolly (@bconnolly00) March 2, 2022
Gotta say this is disappointing. I know it takes time but that was the worst part of last weeks race. Just because someone gets a flat tire shouldn’t be a death sentence for their day.
— Josh McElhaney (@bigmac7388) March 2, 2022
Meanwhile, a few others reminisced when teams used to get black-flagged often for technical infringements. An example was when NASCAR introduced a new pit gun for the teams. With the sport tightening rules around tweaking new products, there was a chance of those pit guns breaking. Naturally, it would lead to drivers leaving the pit road with loose lug nuts and impending penalties.
1. Imagine having a flat at Bristol? By the time they hook you up, bring you to pit road, unhook you and then change tires you would be 8+ laps down. Normally you would lose 2 maybe 3 if you drive it back yourself. This is something that has to be fixed.
— Zach Olney (@FatherOfChaos5) March 2, 2022
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2. This is going to cost someone a playoff spot or a championship if this continues. Either have a mobile crew to change the tires on the spot so they can get to pit road or have a set penalty like 2 laps not matter how long it takes to get towed to pit road
— Zach Olney (@FatherOfChaos5) March 2, 2022
Some fans did offer solutions to the issues plaguing the drivers. A response said, “They should do like dirt races. car gets a flat needs a tow to the pits once car gets to pit road your in a 2 minute clock to fix tire do repairs with out losing a lap until they get this mess figured out. Going 4-6 laps down because a mistake by NASCAR is a steep penalty!”
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Unfortunately, it looks like a proper solution won’t materialize for a little while longer. The fans and drivers are keen to see the sport do something to fix the problem.
Dale Earnhardt Jr Warns NASCAR Against Fiddling With the Next Gen Car Amidst Flat Tire Issues
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