What do people think of the new pavment at talladega?

[Bryan Blanton]

Hi everyone i was just curious what people think of the new pavement at talladega?

It sure does look different with that dark pavement doesn't it?

And is it just me or does the banked area of the trioval before the start finish line look slightly different?

[smyler]

The drivers all said how much they liked the new pavement.  I think it stunk that NASCAR made them use the new restrictor plates.  It would not have been so bad if they had known in advance, but how can they do that to these guys and then not let them make adjustments after quals?  The gear setups are going to be all wrong.

It should be a good race.  We always see 4 wide racing and today should be no different.  They aren't bumping around like they used to, so they should be able to hold a tight line better than they could before.

[Busch Babe 899]

I dunno, that pack the last lap of the truck race was a mess...it was a wreck waiting to happen. The new pavement sure made THEM confident...20+ cars "under a blanket" as they say...it was jut a matter of time before they wrecked, be it before or after the finish.

[Blu]

I agree BB! Todays BIG one is gonna be REALLY big IMHO.It wouldnt surprise me to see 1/2 the field involved.

Someone will geta tad overconfident and ..well..lookout! I also wouldnt be surprised to see 5 wide racing today at times and that equals disaster IMO

[Tonyfan14]

I think the new pavment is awesome. That finish was crazy today!!

[Chris]

I think it stunk that NASCAR made them use the new restrictor plates.  It would not have been so bad if they had known in advance, but how can they do that to these guys and then not let them make adjustments after quals?  The gear setups are going to be all wrong.

Been There... done that....
When I was working on the CTS team and we was racing at Daytona during speedweeks,.. the CTS trucks was FASTER than the BGN and CUP cars... (this was about 4 years ago)
All week long in practice.. qualifying, everything,..the trucks run the fastest of everything at Daytona.
The MORNING of the truck race Nascar issued a technical bulliten that instead of TWO air induction supply hoses comeing from the front grill opening into the motor (breather) they would shut off one hole and we could only run ONE induction hose.
Talk about a CHANGE... changing the restrictor plate size was VERY minor to this change.
They cut out 1/2 the air going to the motor, and no other changes could be made to the trucks... NOW mind you this was the DAY of the race.

SO off we all went racing, and teams blew motors left and right.
WHY was this all done,.. well hell... we all KNOW the TRUCK series just COULDN'T be the FASTEST series and draw as much headlines as the CUP series... so that what it was all about.  They had to insure that the CUP cars turned the fastest speed at speed weeks,.. and after that change they did.
It's all politics

[Busch Babe 899]

I'm surprised the "Big One" wasn't bigger. They ran just as close as always, and indeed made moves they wouldn't have on the old, bumpy pavement. Jr was told several times to "cool it" with the bump drafting, and they showed through his in-car cam that he WAS bump drafting into the corner. And you know that's not the first time.

But we've had a few races there in the past where the Big One didn't happen, so I shouldn't be TOO surprised, I guess.

[Chris]

I figured the BIG ONE would happen,.. and it would be a GREAT big one...
Mostly because OF the track surface.... Not because it was bad,.. but because the drivers would get a false sense of security because the cars handled so well, and then someone would make a mistake.
I kinda expected a 20+ car crash...
well.... they tried...

[AfterShock]

What new pavement?

It looked the same to me,.......................
all littered with fan trash, or trash fans, ......... As usual (it seems).

Talladega gives new meaning to throwing a party.
Pity party.

Are there any major league pitchers from the state of Alabama?