The Whelen Modified Tour in action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last July (Photo: Fran Lawlor)
It’s been seemingly a topic of debate since NASCAR instituted the rule in 2012.
It was in 2012 that then Whelen Modified Tour series director Chad Little instituted a rule introducing a halfway break at for series events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Little explained that the break was primarily introduced to help lower funded and lower staffed teams who struggled to have the proper manpower in place to fairly and safely participate in live pit stops at the track.
On Thursday current Whelen Modified Tour series director Jimmy Wilson confirmed to RaceDayCT that the halfway break will be eliminated from the 100-lap July 21 series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“Since I’ve been the director that’s been the hot topic conversation,” said Wilson, who replaced Little as series director prior to the 2013 season. “It’s been there as long as I can remember up there. Every year we take information and consistently it’s been ‘We need to go back to the live stop, we need to go back to the live stop.’ After consulting with the teams we’re not looking anymore expense because the vast majority of the teams will be bringing their guys to the track anyway whether they’re going over the wall in a live situation or doing it during a halfway break. So we felt that this is probably a good time to go back to the live stop.”
The Whelen Modified Tour will have its first 250-lap at event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 22, which will include a mandatory break, but the event will also include live pit stops.
“You can’t break that race four or five times or however many it’s going to be for tire changes,” Wilson said. “There will be a break during the 250. The lap that that’s going to be on is to be determined. Obviously we’ve still go planning to do with that race. But there will be a break, but even with that break there will still be the necessity for the live stop component there.”
We all know it was done for the spec motors,who are they kidding.
EUREKA!!!!
Somebody at NASCAR found the 🧠!
Watching the bewilderment, frustration and disgust of the fans finally sunk in????
The lower funded and staffed teams don’t have a chance at winning, especially at NHMS, so no need to cater to them anyways. So they will end up another lap or so down from the competitive cars. The final placings will be the same. Let those teams that can staff up for a marquee race do so and let them compete on pit road and the track.
I don’t know how we got to spec motors on this story, but my question is how is this different if your going to have a break anyway?Other than it maybe being a surprise as to what lap?How is that good?I’m not understanding this statement.
I’m all for trying to accommodate as many teams as possible, HOWEVER, I think this will make for much better competition for the top running teams AND give their crews much more involvement in the final outcome. Much more strategy can take place for all the teams with how many stops and when to stop.
Interesting to see strategy of the gas guzzling spec motors for this race. Would love to see some more top tier teams bring a built engine. Maybe could be a benefit for the long green flag runs we see early in races at NHMS. I know the 44 ran one at the icebreaker last year… In my opinion the built motors add a little more intrigue in a “modified” series. I’d prefer not to watch a bunch of teams with the exact same chassis and engine package.
art, the SPEC motors are pigs… they use lots more fuel, they require fuel stops when a built motor would not. And that tires AND fuel are not allowed in the same pit stop makes things even more complicated.
Built motor cars can do the whole Loudon race without refueling. Many years ago, before the SPEC motor, there was a Loudon race that went only one yellow, and the yellow happened very early such that nobody make a stop, then the race went non-stop to the finish. I think Stefanik won this race. A SPEC motor car can’t do that, it must take on fuel at some point in a Loudon race.
There was some talk a couple years ago, when there was a mix of built and SPEC motors, to make the Loudon races something like 125 laps so that both motors would need to refuel. That was to make it equal and make the racing intermission go away.
The SPEC is a cluster. It’s supposed to be a cost savings, but it is a fuel pig.
Would not surprise me to see the 6 utilize the INFINITY series team to pit their car since they have extensive experience in live pit stops. Would definitely give them and advantage on pit road.
So to save teams money now they all have to buy a built Motor again to be competitive. Morons.
Nice! Seems like there is always a caution around midway anyway. This puts strategy back into the equation regardless of motor.
Humphry, you bring up a great point on the pit crew. I vote no Cup or Xfinity pit crews. Need an official ruling from Nascar on that.
RaceDayNH, great points. We could see green flag stops for fuel. That would be interesting since they would all have to come in around the same time. But long runs are not that common, so don’t get too excited.
Thanks dareal,but I’m still unclear on how and when this break will happen
Have you ever seen a xfinity team try to change wide 5’s it’s a Joke they know nothing about them so there isn’t really a advantage.
Does anyone have a link to anywhere describing the difference in built vs the RYR spec engine fuel consumption? Does anyone have a link to any page that says what engine teams use? Is there even any kind of controversy now about the spec engine or is it so mainstream that it hasn’t been a topic of racing media for years at least with regard to the WMT?
Dareal now I know your a moron who has no clue what it takes to run a race team. So if Matt Hirshman wants to run Loudon now he has to bring 10 guys instead of 4 and purchase more licenses, pit equipment hotel rooms etc. There are a lot of great racers that could run this show. Hossfeld Hirshman McKenedy Ranstrom etc. And you will be the first idiot complaining about car counts. Maybe you should call Jimmy and ask for a job. Sounds like you would be a perfect fit to continue screwing things up. Keep proving that your clueless.
I believe the point is that teams with an 18 degree engine just may have a chance if it becomes a fuel mileage race. It also may attaract more competitors since there are other series that don’t allow the spec engine and have the 18’s as a rule package.
art, there is no break. The break is being dropped.
There has been a break for the last couple years… no more.
art, there is no break in the July race, the 100 lapper. There will be a break in the 250 lapper, where is TBD.
I agree NH, no cup crews should be allowed, just threw it out there as a possibility especially with the 6. Also if it were to happen I am certain any of the cup teams that were going to be involved would be well practiced with the wide 5 wheel to make certain they were proficient.
I believe that using xfinity/Cup teams for Modified races has been recently prohibited.
Don’t understand why people are saying they did this for the benefit of guys running a spec motor. They are taking the break away therefore the spec guys will have to pit under green or hope for a mid race caution. How is this a benefit? I think this will make the race more exciting as teams are going to have a strategy there will not be a competition caution. But I can’t see teams spending big coin for a motor they’ll only use twice. Good move by NASCAR
Willy, without the licenses, fees, etc., the NASCAR Mod Tour would be nothing more than a loosely organized open series. Without those licenses etc., the Tour would be subject to outsiders coming in to cherry pick the big races. This is one of the major complaints about Cup drivers running at Loudon. The licenses rewards running the Tour and discourages outsiders from cherry picking.
Cup drivers running at Loudon is as much as a concern as me becoming president. ZERO. Newman is barely a threat since they caught them cheating and if you really think a Cup driver will “cherry pick” a Mod race at Loudon your more nuts than I give you credit for. The fees and licenses are minor. The elephant in the room is the hotels and pit equipment to do a live pit stop. What’s going to happen now is you will need a group working on the car and some young guys coming in to pit cars only. They will create 10 times the expense with live pit stops. KN doesn’t do live stops and they have access to Cup teams. Mod crews are live stops????? Then the one tire rule. WOW. That makes sense. We want to limit tbr possiblities of crew guys getting hurt on pit road so we are going to make teams pit 4 times instead of once. Man o man they are dumb.
Do you run the spec engine that gives you a better cornering car but needs more fuel stops? OR do you run a built engine that gives you more acceleration on restarts and coming out of the corners with less fuel needed? I wonder if some teams still have the option to use either, depending on the track they’re running. I think it would be great for fans to know who’s running what engine at a given race, and particularly for Loudon. Maybe when NASCAR publishes the entry list they could put (S) or (B) after the driver’s name so we’d know. I think that would make it more interesting for race fans.
Willy, any other non-Tour regular coming in to cherry pick the big races is a concern to me. They take away points and purse 💰💰💰💰💰 from the regulars. Willy, in your earlier post you complained about the need for more licenses, now you say the fees and licenses are minor. 🤪 A team should have all that pit equipment no matter what. More people aren’t needed, the right amount are needed, as was done forever before the intermissions were tried. Look, given the total cost of racing, if a team can’t afford a couple hundred bucks to bring up a hot pit capable crew, then that team has no chance of being competitive to begin with. You are talking a trivial cost compared to what it takes to field a car at an event like Loudon with the full intent of being competitive.
Think it through.
But the planned intermission was done to accommodate the SPEC motor, because it is a fuel pig and needs a refueling stop, putting it at a disadvantage over the built motors. Now that there are no competitive teams running the built motors anymore, the planned intermission has become a moot point, and we can go back to real racing again. And that means competing on pit road.
In conclusion, the SPEC is a huge bigly mistake. Buhlieve me. This intermission would never have become the issue it has been if the SPEC was never brought in.
It’s true that the best will be the best no matter the rule. At the ROC 250 last year at Lake Erie they
instituted a 1 tire per stop rule. Safety? to slow Matt down? Who knows but we got a three tire change done on one yellow by going out after each individual change and coming back in twice.
Yeah it was a long yellow but we had to go over the wall three times. The handicap is getting all that work done with just 3 over the wall. Change, carry and jack. Willey I don’t where your 10 guys thing comes from. Matt has never had 10 guys in the pit.
Fast Eddie, I doubt competitive teams still have a viable 18º motor anymore. I know an engine builder and he says he hasn’t built a new 18º engine in several years.
Dareal, I think the alleged original intent of the 1/2 way break was to entice more WSMT and other teams with smaller crews to compete at Loudon. NASCAR’s initial comments were that most of the WSMT teams have a smaller crew because almost all of their races could be run without a pit stop unless they had a problem. This was possibly a smoke screen while the SPEC engine was being designed to make it easier to introduce it into competition.
Sorry Dareal, I missed your comment on the SPEC engines. So it’s probably safe to assume that most if not all the top running teams are running the SPEC at this point, and the low-buck teams may be still running a built motor.
I will echo Fast Eddie,Nascar should give more info to fans including chassis, motor,radio freq,spotters,crew members and any other info that would interest fans and would help build fan base
Fast Eddie, those low buck teams bought the built motors from the top teams when the top teams adopted the SPEC. Just think about what will happen as the built motors age out and are no longer serviceable. Low buck teams can’t afford a new built motor or a SPEC motor. Just wait.
Just wander through the pits… I think Zachem ran a built last year or the year before, he was as close to a competitive team running a built there can be. But you just don’t see a built motor in a competitive car anymore. I think it was the v4 that made a last stand with the built motor. It was the last old school team to run a built and try to make it work against a field of SPEC motors. They eventually caved and went with the SPEC when winning with a built was no longer a possibility.
I can’t believe that there are so many teams on that edge between running and not running depending on a few bucks to bring a couple more crew. That additional cost is a minuscule % of the total cost to run an event. If it is a big %, then it is a team that has no chance to be competitive. The top teams spend HUGE 💰, totally loaded for bear, making it impossible for low buck teams to compete anyways. They bring new motors, new cars, fresh motors, etc. No way a low buck team can compete with that. So it doesn’t matter.
Fast Eddie, about the “smoke screen”, or fake news. The SPEC is a fuel pig and needs an additional pit stop for fuel, putting it at a disadvantage against a field that had many very competitive built motors. NASCAR did a major sell job on the SPEC, dangling a HUGE carb, more cubic inches, weight break, etc. NASCAR had to do whatever to make sure the SPEC was successful. Hence, the smoke screen you mention. Pure and total fake news.
It would be freaking awesome to see a bunch of top cars show up with fresh built motors.
Dareal, I agree, I’d love to see some competitive “spec engines vs. built engines” racing. That would definitely make for a more interesting race. That’s why I was talking about knowing up front who has what, not knowing that the conversion among the top teams is pretty much complete. It’s one of the attractions for me to some of the drag race categories. Even some of the dirt track racing has events and categories where there’s gasoline vs. alcohol and/or big block vs. small block. We have Troyer vs. LFR, but we need more mechanical rivalries to compliment driver and team rivalries! 🙂
Dareal, you are a master at avoiding your ignorance. You say there is no added expense in a full pit crew. You are clueless. Crazy in NH you must live with Dareal. Your pit scenario accounts for Stafford and Langley. When you pit on the tour you need 2 tire changers 2 carriers 1 jackman 1 fuel man and 1 catch Can Guy. Dareal these guys all need equipment (guns are 2,000 ea and you need 3) fire suits gloves shoes helmets and another radio to work with a helmet on top of the radio they use in practice. Oh yea don’t forget the license. Idiot. I’m done wasting my time with you folks. You all obviously don’t race and never have raced competitively. I feel like I’m asking Oprah advise on how to build houses when I read these comments. Take your fake names and have a great season parking your arse in the stands and watching people do things that you could never accomplish but feel obligated to comment on.
I want to see engine builders listed along with chassis, crew chief, flux capacitor, who massaged the carburetor, etc.
Let’s all just shut up and RACE
Willy, I did not say there was no added expense, just very little additional expense compared to the total expense of running an event, especially one such as Loudon.
The guns are not $2,000 each. The guns we use are regular battery powered Milwaukee guns. The Milwaukee, DeWalt and Makita ½ inch impact guns go for about $150. Give it up, Willy.
Willy, the guys need all that same equipment and manpower at every other track too. It’s not an added expense. All that money is already spent the second they take the green at Myrtle Beach. Did you read the article? This is what the teams want. Most of the fans too. Doesn’t make much sense to have a halfway stop for a 100 laps and live pits for the 250 in Sept. They pitted at Loudon for yrs. This isn’t new.
Battery Powered Guns for a pitstop?What the heck are you talking about?LMAO.
Kevin…
I haven’t paid enough attention at NWMT events, but 18v and 20v impact guns are all over the pit lanes outside NASCAR.
Dareal… how are built motors going to “age out” and become “no longer serviceable”??? The MRS only allows built motors.
Henry, what are we a dictatorship here? We are not allowed to debait or have an opinion one way or another? If you don’t like reading what’s written then you probably should not monitor the article.
Kevin,the Dude is a dumb arse. That should show you how much knowledge he has on the sport he comments on.
RaceDayNH, built motors will age out when they are no longer serviceable. They can no longer be refreshed, they are just worn out. Blocks and cranks mostly, the high dollar parts. Does a team buy a new block and/or crank?? That’s big bucks. So will the MRS teams order a brand new built motor? Brand new built motors cost far more than a used built motor. The MRS teams are not funded like the competitive NWMT teams. Where are those used built motors coming from? There are more SPEC motors out there displacing the built motors. Engine builders are not building new 18º motors like they used to.
From my sources, plenty of those built motors in use on other mod series came from the NWMT teams that sold their engines. The NWMT teams used to replace older built engines with new built engines, and sold off the older engines. Thats not happening anymore. The supply of useable previously owned built engines is tightening up. The built engines are aging out and that can affect mod series that use them, and depended on picking up used NWMT built engines. These engines were commonly for sale on the usual market places.
An engine builder I know was told, at the outset of this SPEC engine deal, that the SPEC engine would not affect his 18º engine business. He hasn’t sold a new 18º engine in several years.
Hot pit stops during a race are done with pneumatic guns. If time is not of the essence battery guns
are mostly used. Convenient and less costly.
After contacting several people associated with the WMT and actually getting a response here are some of the points that were made.
-the Spec engine originally cost $18000 and has risen to $32000 currently. NASCAR sanctions the engine and has a vested interest in it’s use. The best built engines run in the area of $48000.
-the spec engine is extremely reliable but is not as sophisticated nor does it include the best available parts, technology and tolerances that the state of the art built engines have. To make up the difference they are allowed the 750cfm carb vs the built engine 390cfm sacrificing fuel consumption to equalize power.
-the block on the spec engine requires replacing every 5 rebuilds offsetting more of the savings in addition to higher fuel consumption. Replacement may be required every 2nd or third year at a substantial additional cost.
-the spec engine weighs approximately 90 lbs less. Current rules mandate the weight savings be added to the chassis but it is allowed to be placed in a location that lowers the center of gravity of the car.
-generally speaking NASCAR has done such a good job equalizing the spec and built engines there appears to be no clear favorite in the WMT. Each has it’s own advantages and each under the right conditions can provide an edge depending on the track configuration, distance, banking and length.
Yes I know. Unattributed points, in many cases confirming what has been said already from an anonymous source. But the information is current, from the best of sources and available to the reader to accept or reject as he or she wishes.
All you know a lot about the tour. I was wondering did Bob sell the 4 Equipment? I have heard anything about the cars and truck being purchased. I know he did purchase a spec engine that does not have many laps on it. I would think his equipment offers someone an opportunity to run upfront.look forward to hearing any news. If he still has all the cars is he coming back.
Funny about all your whining, the DIRT modifieds used to run 200 miles at Syracuse without a break and no one on the dirt side seemed to have been concerned with that. On a rough dirt track no less. By the way, at the first STSS dirt race last year, they had 78 modifieds. Do you expect to even approach that?
That is an interesting point Dareal about less used NWMT built motors in the market place for smaller teams… should be an easy thing to find out about in the pits once the season starts
Yup, been watching the Tour use electric guns at Loudon since 2012. I see them on pit carts too. Indeed, electrics are used. Pay attention people.
The SPEC and built motors are not equal. Everything has been done to make sure the SPEC prevails. Walk around the pits and see for yourself… SPECs all over the place.
It would be hilarious for a couple stout builts to show up at Loudon and terrify the SPEC cars. Especially at the 250 where there will be far more pit stops, and the one mandatory stop will not help the SPECs. LOL!!! Don’t see why there will be a stop at the 250.
My question is if NASCAR did such a great job equalizing the spec and 18 degree engines then why are the majority of the teams running the spec? There had to be an overwhelming reason to sell off all their 18 degree stuff.
Doug that’s some pretty impressive statements and Well stated. You are obviously connected to the industry so I have a question. Which would you run at Loudon?
DIRT. Uncool dude. Now why don’t you kick an old lady now you’ve made your point here.
Looking at Doug’s numbers the spec engine has increased by about 37% since it was rolled out by NASCAR. So what does it cost for a “top running” 18 degree from say PT, Brunneau, Pettit, BTK?
Makes me wonder why the indoor TQ races draw 60 something cars per event….? What are the promoters doing that the mod tour is not? Most tour owners/drivers complain that it is too expensive to race the tour but they seem to have enough money (same sponsors and drivers) to go race, travel to these indoor events. I don’t think these indoor events are paying enough to make money.
I am not connected Mark nor am I knowledgeable about the WMT. I sent emails out, got a response and was asked not to use names for pretty obvious reasons. I wanted to ask if teams consider different engines for different tracks and what the top teams use but could only push it so far. Believe the content or not, your choice.
So here’s my questions of the day:
1) Can a built engine get by at Loudon with just the 1/2-way stop for fuel?
2) Can the spec engine make it with less tire stops due to their better cornering characteristics?
I know cautions will have a lot to do with it, but I have also seen a few WMT events with only 1 or 2 cautions. My point is with minimal cautions, who needs less pit stops? My guess is the built engine would need less fuel, and with more drive off the corners due to engine torque differences would have an advantage in a race that long. BUT… that is only a slightly educated guess.
TQ – About $20K for a top tier car / motor combo. Mod – About $100K for same thing. Jan / Feb – only game in town, great PR. May-Aug – More tours than you can shake a stick at, lots of arguing / controversy. Probably a lot more reasons than that out there.
humphry, the price of an 18º would have to be very low to get people to use it since it doesn’t have a chance to compete with the SPEC, and the way the rules are set up for the SPEC.
Fast Eddie, A built can make it at Loudon with without refueling, it was standard operating procedure. It has happened. A race a while ago (long before SPECs) that had a yellow very early, and then the race went to the checkers without a stop. It can be done.
I don’t think SPECs are using less tires than built motors.
Well, I’m looking forward to this. I miss real pit stops.
The 18 degree can compete on the small bull rings as few as there are on the schedule.
The race is going to come down to the crew that makes the best guess based on fuel mileage, tire wear and cautions. I guess I would say there could be more luck that skill here and any car that stays on the lead lap could be the lucky one at the end of the day regardless of the power plant.
Just read this…
“Since I’ve been the director that’s been the hot topic conversation,” said Wilson, who replaced Little as series director prior to the 2013 season. “It’s been there as long as I can remember up there. Every year we take information and consistently it’s been ‘We need to go back to the live stop, we need to go back to the live stop.’ After consulting with the teams we’re not looking anymore expense because the vast majority of the teams will be bringing their guys to the track anyway whether they’re going over the wall in a live situation or doing it during a halfway break. So we felt that this is probably a good time to go back to the live stop.”
Willy, read that again and again and again, and see what the teams said.
Glad the racing intermission is no longer.
I am now very excited about this race.
For the 100-lapper, all this means is that one spec motor car will perform a phantom spin sometime around halfway, creating the caution that the spec motors need to fuel up. Net result: same as the halfway break.
Andrew B., it will be a hot pit, not a timed intermission.
I thought the break was actually to prevent the race from having what happened in the July 2011 race were it went 77 laps green to checkered and wasn’t fun to watch. But, SPEC engines refueling as well.
Tyler, so add a timed intermission to that July 2011 race, then it goes green from the restart to the end. What’s the difference? Long runs can and rarely do happen. No need to put a timed intermission in EVERY race to seemingly address a very rare long run.
Still don’t understand why there will be a break in the 250. Anybody have any ideas?
I wonder if the mid-race break is an added safety factor by NASCAR. They’ve certainly run more laps before, but have Modifieds ever run 250 miles? The longest races they’ve run in this century is the annual Loudon events at just over 105 miles each. Maybe they want to give teams ample time to check over wear & tear from the 1st half and make sure they’re good for the 2nd half. This could definitely be a race of “survival of the fittest” more than “survival of the fastest”.
Fast Eddie, the Thompson 300 is 187 miles. The Mods have done long events. They didn’t fall apart, just more laps to wreck.
Fast Eddie – The mods ran for 300 miles in the Race of Champions back in the early days at Trenton and Pocono (1970’s). Don’t remember anything in recent history that long of a distance.
I was never able to make it to one of those for one reason or another. Wasn’t that 300 laps between multiple Modified groups? WMT (150), ROC (100), & Sunoco Mods (50)?
That is not the question I asked. I asked “So what does it cost for a “top running” 18 degree from say PT, Brunneau, Pettit, BTK?”
@dareal –
Yes, I know it will be a hot pit rather than an intermission. My point is, one sacrificial lamb does a lazy spin around half-way, the caution comes out, and now the disadvantage that the Spec motor has in the fuel economy department is wiped out, because everyone will pit for fuel.
Anyone who thinks removing the intermission from the 100-lapper will cause a disadvantage for the Spec motors (because “they might have to pit while the built motors won’t”) is missing this obvious point.
Fast Eddie, the Thompson 300 was a single 300 lap race. The NASCAR Mods.
Andrew B., There are usually plenty of cautions anyways, no need for that lazy spin. Long runs are extremely rare. And if a long run happens, so be it, it will make the race exciting. Imagine if a car is forced to make a green pit stop for fuel? You wanna use the SPEC? This is what comes with it. Deal with it. The teams are always gambling on WHEN the cautions will come out, not IF the cautions will come out.
Why not give the cars bigger fuel cells? Or make the fuel cells smaller, and/or change the race length to force refueling regardless of engine? So many other fan-friendly options beside the stupid intermission.
But this is nonsense talk anyways, no competitive team will run a built engine for they own SPECs now. The built engines are gone because they couldn’t win against the SPECs.
But remember the story, that the intermission was to cater to the teams that couldn’t bring a full crew to do hot pits. 🤣
If the stops are set up like last year’s racing @ Stafford & Thompson, it’s one tire at a time with separate fuel stops. That’s going to mean more stops for the spec engines. Even if it’s under caution, it’s an extra stop under the same caution, putting you at the tail end of the lead lap.
I highly doubt you could get anyone will attempt to purposely spin their car @ 120+ mph on purpose, avoiding both walls, and avoiding hitting and/or getting hit by anyone else for the sake of “taking one for the spec team.”
Myrtle Beach & Stafford are the only tracks that will have the 1 tire per pit stop rule.
The 1 tire/pit stop at Stafford is interesting. Again, WHY? One good comprehensive pit stop is exciting enough.
This guy 🤠 looks remarkably familiar. Where have I seen him…
Well, this July race will be exciting. The intermissions were just bizarre.
Oh man you guys with the spec vs built engines get me fired up. Don’t care about the the NWMT as long as they have time trials but it’s important to know what’s going on for the Stafford Open races.
Eric Goodale is the only top guy from the NWMT to sign up for the Stafford open so far. So does that mean he runs a $48,000 built engine? Or does it mean he has engine options? What did he have at Stafford in the Fall Final when he slowly and meticulously moved to the front and won? It was a thing of beauty.
Come on man we’d all love to have a code by the driver indicating spec or built. Never going to happen as long as NASCAR has anything to do with it since it’s a revenue source for them that does not help to advertise. And you know what? It’s been a controversy since what, 2012 or 13 and no one really can say definitively who uses what. Mention the chassis and everyone knows. You think someone would know at least for the top 5 guys.
Don’t forget you Stafford open guys. Use certain cast iron heads and use any carb you want. Tic toc, it’s going to get interesting.
Zachem going part time on WMT this season. Thompson, Stafford and NH as of right now.
Everybody that walks around the pits knows who is using a SPEC.
With a good eye and binoculars, just about anyone can tell what cars have a SPEC… if you know what to look for.
If you’re into the whole spec vs build motor deal here’s a great flashback article from racedayct in 2015.
https://racedayct.com/2015/06/built-frustration-team-owner-bob-garbarino-maddened-by-whelen-modified-tour-motor-issues/
We don’t know who runs what for sure now but we know in 2015 the winners of the first 5 races, Coby, Preece and Pitkat ran spec motors.
The track themselves have a lot to say on the way the event is run. i.e. Stafford is requiring the one tire per pit stop and I would bet that Loudon is requiring the halfway break for the Loudon 250 race. There is talk among the top teams if they should run the Spec or built motor. (better fuel mileage) There is a lot of concerns on brakes, transmissions and rearends overheating.
Modified Guy’s 5 line entry is a whole article that should appear somewhere. He touches on a bunch of things you’d think it would be in the best interest of NASCAR to play up to fire up interest. The web site in my view is a giant missed opportunity. Driver race results aplenty. Chassis, engine and especially ownership inside information is MIA. Details NASCAR, details. Who is using what chassis and engine. Who are the key players on all the teams and who has moved around? If we know anything from the comments people care a ton about the origination of the components. There’s more information in the comments section about the NWMT then from the NWMT. Stafford releases so many press releases you have a ton of information by the time you get to the Sizzler about the teams and drivers. With the NWMT it’s like the information is like for insiders only. Am I wrong?
Doug, I know what you mean. I have been spoiled following drag racing because there is so much technical info that is easily obtainable. I know racers have “secrets” they feel gives them and edge, and I completely respect that. However, I think there is a lot of general/ technical info that is common knowledge to the race teams that would be interesting to know about. At least give us car mfg., year built, and engine type. I want to know who’s running a 2018 LFR or 2017 Troyer with a spec engine, or who has a 2014 Spafco or a 2012 Troyer with a built engine. Sometimes you can tell, but most of the time you can’t. For teams with multiple cars, which one are you running at a given track. The more knowledge I have about the teams and cars, the more interesting and entertaining the race is.
OK Fast Eddie then I’m not barking at the moon. Thanks. And you’re right. If a team has a spec engine and a built engine what’s the big deal in letting folks know why and how they use them and what chassis their in and why.
I know there are a lot of guys here that know a lot about the NWMT. The idea of reams of articles about the teams, facts and figures isn’t for them so much as prospective fans. People that if they knew about the inside scoop may feel an attachment and decide to go see the real deal. Come on NASCAR, fire us up.
I know about Austin Pickens. And I know because Rob Fuller and LFR had the foresight to write a press release to generate some interest. Not NASCAR, LFR. The chassis supplier everyone seems to have strong feelings about. It’s a good thing.
In March 2017 Speed51 had an update on all the teams and their plans. It’s good and maybe they’ll do it this year but why is the information rationed out?
NASCAR, are you listening?