Last week the crew chief on car 11,Darian Grubb, was suspended and fined $125 thousand in fines for something called a rear Firewall block off plate. Anyone know what this is? Can you fine someone for something you just made up? I assume this was just made up because I cant find it anywhere, UNLESS someone can show a photo of it. Any Takers?
OK Johnny do not Buck Nascar OK just let it rest things will be just fine
Johnny, all the nascar cars have a rear block off plate about 4" square in the rear fire wall because they don't run the plate at all tracks. When you are running at a track where you duct cool air to rear brakes you don't need the plate. when at tracks where you need the plate to cover the duct hole there's a plate with 4 sheet metal screws in it to cover the hole and not allow trapped air to escape the car body and help the down force. the rules state what material is allowed and also the plates must be sealed with a gasket or seal material. Aluminum or non steel is not allowed.Its also a safety issue as fire or fuel could come into the driver compartment. Wind tunnel has shown the down force increase to be high enough to gain an advantage.. maybe some trick screws were used to come off late in the race because I don't believe a crew chief would knowingly endanger his driver.. Maybe that's why they dropped the appeal process , just maybe. lol...
Thanks, Bill, for the understandable explanation.
Getting into NASCAR RACECAR SAFETY.
Did NASCAR OUTLAWED THE ROOF ESCAPED HATCH SINCE OLE MIKEY WALTRIP WON AN RACE AND STICK-OUT HIS HEAD/BODY OUT DURING THE VICTORY LANE CELEBRATION?
I NOTICED LAST WEEK'S SPRINT CUP RACE, NASCAR ADDED ANOTHER ROLL BAR ON THE PASSAGER SIDE.
THE ROLL BAR IS FROM FRONT TOP OF WINDSHIELD AT AN 45 DEGREE ANGLE AT AN DOWNWARD TO BACK OF RACECAR.
TRYING TO FIND PHOTO OF THIS PASSAGER SIDE ROLL BAR.
CAN THE RACECAR DRIVER GET OUT OF PASSAGER SIDE WINDOW IF DRIVER'S SIDE IS BLOCKED?
Thanks for any information or photos posted.
Dennis Garrett
Richmond,Va. USA
