Fuel Economy Fast Laps in the Irish Hills

[Charlie]

Maybe the only question left for Kyle Busch to answer is whether he and crew chief Steve Addington can win a fuel economy race. They will likely get a chance this week in the hilly cottage country of Southeast Michigan.

Dale Earnhardt Jr won the June race at MIS with what seemed at the time, the ultimate gas gamble. It worked and Junior broke a long winless streak in the Sprint Cup Series. But the win had a “great taste - less filling” feel for many of his fans.

Much as we hope for victories by the bravest and the fastest every week, races at the Michigan track are often decided by the educated guesses of the guys up on the box. Just such a decision by Tony Eury Jr may have cost Earnhardt a win last weekend at Watkins Glen. That decision is actually Steve’s Buzz on Pit Row topic this week. We’ll be kicking that to death ON PIT ROW along with these Fast Lap questions too.

1: Being the first ever to win three road course races in one Cup season, is Kyle Busch the best Nascar road racer ever?

2: Can the Wood Brothers parlay their third place finish at The Glen into a company turn-around?

3: Should the “The Chase” be a microcosm of the season-with all track types present in the final ten races?

4: Why don’t “The Ringers” do better at the road courses, that they supposedly excel at?

Take your best shot at all four of those fast left handers as you prepare your pit stategy for Sunday’s race. Remember, 100 words or less for the answers but unlimited ability to defend your answers and attack your fellow Fast Lappers. Just be nice, or we’ll have to call you to the trailer. Again.

[Revvin Jim G]

1. No, he is just the best this year.
2. If it is true that attitude is as important, if not more so, than equipment, then yes, it could be a turn around with Marcos Ambrose full time at the wheel. I still think they would need better crew personnel, such as chassis specialists and engineers.
3. I like the rotating venue Marc suggested, but that probably won't happen
4. They spend most of their time in cars that weigh much less than the 3400 lbs the Cup cars weigh. It takes retraining to learn where the braking points, etc are for the heavier cars, which do not stop or slow as quickly, or handle as well as the lighter cars do on road courses.

[Marc]

Thanks Linda, but I had help from a higher power, or so Clance' claims.

[linda]

Jeepers, I think Marc has said it all; good job!

[Marc]

1. Despite Steve's attempt to make it so during tonight's show... not only no, but HELL NO! A single season with 3 wins does not make a "best ever." Let me know when Kyle matches Gordons 9 wins or Dan Gurney's 5 wins including 4 in a row at Riverside.

2. In short, no. It will take more money from the long rumored merger/invester.

3. Probably, but it will never happen. Also not to be seen.... somewhere between 3-5 of the Chase events rotate thru different tracks every couple years.

4. Umm, probably because 90% of them are stuck into 4-wheeled crapwagons with their owners looking to make a one-time splash for their sponsors or scoot into the top 35.