The infamous CoT is saving money?

[Charlie]

That's what new Sprint Cup team owner Tommy Baldwin told Steve and me Tuesday ON PIT ROW. I haven't heard that angle much from the Cup community. But then, most of what we hear from that group is bitching by the guys who don't like the way the car handles, or more bitching by the teams who can't seem to get it right. Is it a case of not being able to see the forrest (benefits of the Car) for the trees (it ain't the Old Car)?

[Steve]

Tommy and the rest of the "new" team owners can thank the fallen for their R&D work on the CoT. Guys like Bill Davis and Richard Petty and Chip Ganassi literally put their race teams on the line to develop the car. They pretty much went bankrupt trying to get it sorted out for NASCAR. Now Baldin and the rest can capitalize on their hard work.

[Ovalscream]

Hmmm, saves some money in the garage, loses tons more purse money on the track. Not sure the math here works out. At least for another season. Dontcha wonder if there's more incentive to win the big $$ (and cut down as many trees necessary to engineer it) than ever?

[Bram Hume]

well.. there's no going back.. so it's a matter or of what Steve has said.. those that have gone before.. pave the way with the bleached bones of effort..

now with some work on the flat fender and the spoiler.. that is, an offset with directivity and more than a single-bladed stage in the aero-use and a pronounced Gurney flap , respectively...it'll turn in the corners.. someday

[Clance' McClannahan]

Saving money for teams? I hardly think so.
No matter what anyone says..I hate it.
Did I say I hate it. I do.
I friggin' HATE the car.

[Ovalscream]

Luddite.

Clance' McClannahan said:

Saving money for teams? I hardly think so.
No matter what anyone says..I hate it.
Did I say I hate it. I do.
I friggin' HATE the car.

[Revvin Jim G]

I'm sure Tommy was referring to the fact that he can, theoretically, at least, use the same car at Daytona, Watkins Glen, and Martinsville. Thus, he only needs one car and a back up in his garage at any given time. I'm sure he's not planning on being a start and park team in every race, but even if that happens to be the way it turns out, well, he's still making money.

[Charlie]

Revvin Jim G said:

I'm sure Tommy was referring to the fact that he can, theoretically, at least, use the same car at Daytona, Watkins Glen, and Martinsville. Thus, he only needs one car and a back up in his garage at any given time. I'm sure he's not planning on being a start and park team in every race, but even if that happens to be the way it turns out, well, he's still making money.

I wouldn't underestimate Baldwin's team just yet, Jim. He told us that they have no plans to be a start and park program. Remember., he has been basically running Bill Davis Racing's Sprint Cup team. Those guys were pretty good early last year - before the big dollar teams started to separate- performance-wise - from the under funded (relatively) teams. Starting 2009 with more capable machinery, I think they have a chance to be pretty good.

[Revvin Jim G]

Charlie said:

Revvin Jim G said:

I'm sure Tommy was referring to the fact that he can, theoretically, at least, use the same car at Daytona, Watkins Glen, and Martinsville. Thus, he only needs one car and a back up in his garage at any given time. I'm sure he's not planning on being a start and park team in every race, but even if that happens to be the way it turns out, well, he's still making money.

I wouldn't underestimate Baldwin's team just yet, Jim. He told us that they have no plans to be a start and park program. Remember., he has been basically running Bill Davis Racing's Sprint Cup team. Those guys were pretty good early last year - before the big dollar teams started to separate- performance-wise - from the under funded (relatively) teams. Starting 2009 with more capable machinery, I think they have a chance to be pretty good.

I need to work on my writing skills. I thought I was presenting my thoughts as to why Baldwin says the COT saves money.

[Charlie]

Eh, Jim, after re-reading what you originally wrote, I'm the one who needs work. Which won't surprise Steve, or most anyone else, I'm sure. I agree with you.

Revvin Jim G said:

Charlie said:

Revvin Jim G said:

I'm sure Tommy was referring to the fact that he can, theoretically, at least, use the same car at Daytona, Watkins Glen, and Martinsville. Thus, he only needs one car and a back up in his garage at any given time. I'm sure he's not planning on being a start and park team in every race, but even if that happens to be the way it turns out, well, he's still making money.

I wouldn't underestimate Baldwin's team just yet, Jim. He told us that they have no plans to be a start and park program. Remember., he has been basically running Bill Davis Racing's Sprint Cup team. Those guys were pretty good early last year - before the big dollar teams started to separate- performance-wise - from the under funded (relatively) teams. Starting 2009 with more capable machinery, I think they have a chance to be pretty good.

I need to work on my writing skills. I thought I was presenting my thoughts as to why Baldwin says the COT saves money.

[Bram Hume]

"Hmmm, saves some money in the garage, loses tons more purse money on the track. Not sure the math here works out. At least for another season. Dontcha wonder if there's more incentive to win the big $$ (and cut down as many trees necessary to engineer it) than ever?"

Here's the original answer to the original question, in my opinion...

It' will take another season maybe two to recoup the re-tooling costs, but if the car can be used at everytrack ( there's need for only two then?.. one primary, one backup? and parts to build another?.. just in case.. yeah, right).. maybe 2012 will be savings spectacular we've heard about.. if the teams are through with it and no structural changes are made to accomodate a bigger tire..etc. heck, this thing will be a work in progress.. forever.. just like the old car.. and the car before that...