NASCAR Mailbag: Blocking in NASCAR
The Motorsport.com team answers your fan questions in this week's edition of the NASCAR Mailbag.
NASCAR Editor Jim Utter and NACAR PR Manager Tim Southers answer some questions sent in from fans throughout the world.
Why doesn't NASCAR have a Star's side walk, like, Hollywood does? - From Steven
Steven, NASCAR doesn't have a Star's sidewalk, but it does have a Hall of Fame in downtown Charlotte, N.C. The Hall honors the sport's history and includes displays on each of the Hall inductees. Each year, the Hall inducts five new members. Also, many tracks have their own system of honoring drivers who have performed well at those tracks. How they are honored and displayed is unique to each individual track. - Jim Utter
What do you think of blocking? Why is it fair for drivers yo slow down and block for teammates, it is not allowed in IndyCar. I don't think it's right. - From Debra
Debra, blocking has long been a part of stock car racing. The general theory in support of it has traditionally been that if a competitor was fastest enough to get around you, they would. Particularly in NASCAR, drivers use various lines to get around tracks. Denying a competitor his favorite line - or using it to your advantage yourself - plays a large role in the close-quarters, hard racing NASCAR has been known for since its inception. And just because you can block, doesn't mean you have to, or that you may face consequences from a competitor who is none-too-pleased with the result. - Jim Utter
If for some bizarre reason the regular season champion has no wins, and there are 16 other winners. Does the regular-season champion still make the playoffs? Or would that driver need a win? - From Harry
Harry, the regular season champion receives an automatic bye into the playoffs. So, if there was a regular season champion with no wins and 16 other drivers with one win each, the driver lowest in points among the 16 wins would not make the cut for the playoffs. - Jim Utter
I have always wondered when they do pit stops and change tires and the lock (lug) nuts just fly around and bounce around wherever and then the drivers drive over them how do they not get stuck in the tires and how do they not get flat tires? - Thanks, Ashley
Ashley, thanks for your question. The lug nuts are not sharp so there is no risk of puncturing a tire during a pit stop, however, just last week Kevin Harvick suffered an issue during his pit stop when a lug nut damaged a valve stem forcing him to come back in the pits. This is the most recent time this has happened in a NASCAR Cup Series race. A crew member is more likely to suffer a bruise from a lug nut hitting them when the car leaves the pit box. - Tim Southers
Previous article
Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus explain reasons behind split
Next article
William Byron: Addition of Chad Knaus is "a huge honor and blessing"
Why NASCAR's most resilient driver has landed on his feet at 23XI
In a career that has had many ups and downs, Kurt Busch has been written off many times before. But facing career uncertainty after the sale of Chip Ganassi's NASCAR team, the 2004 Cup champion has found a new berth at Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan's 23XI organization - which underlines his enduring value
From the archive: Dale Earnhardt’s final Autosport interview
The death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500 shocked NASCAR to the core. At the Daytona 24 Hours, two weeks before his fatal accident, ‘The Intimidator’ shared his expectations of challenging for an eighth Cup title with JONATHAN INGRAM, in an article first published in the 15 February 2001 issue of Autosport magazine. Little did we know then what tragedy would unfold…
The lasting NASCAR legacy after Dale Earnhardt’s death
On February 18, 2001, seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Dale Earnhardt – the fearless ‘Intimidator’ – was in his element at Daytona International Speedway. While his own DEI team’s cars ran 1-2 towards the finish line, his famed #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo was playing rear gunner to block any late runs from the chasing pack. As the cars tore through Turns 3 and 4 on that fateful final lap, Earnhardt maintained the strongarm tactics that encapsulated his persona… but his actions in those moments sadly proved to be his last.
Inspired by Pitbull, the “revolution” sweeping through NASCAR
The NASCAR Cup Series is changing. Whether it be the gradual morphing out the seasoned drivers of yesterday as the next generation step up, a radical calendar shake-up featuring more road courses than ever before and the prospect of an all-new car on the horizon, stock car racing’s highest level is nearing the end of a huge facelift.
The NASCAR storylines to watch out for in 2021
This weekend's Daytona 500 kickstarts a NASCAR Cup season that promises plenty of intrigue courtesy of new owners and a refreshed calendar. Here's what you need to know ahead of the new season…
Why Kyle Larson can't blow his big shot at redemption
From a disgraced NASCAR exile, Kyle Larson has been given a chance of redemption by the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports squad. Effectively replacing seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson is no easy billing, but Larson has every intention of repaying the team's faith...
Why Roger Penske is an American motorsport icon
In this exclusive one-on-one interview, Roger Penske reveals the inner drive that has made him not only a hugely successful team owner and businessman but also the owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar. He spoke to David Malsher-Lopez.
Why NASCAR's latest second-generation champion is just getting started
Chase Elliott's late charge to the 2020 NASCAR Cup title defied predictions that it would be a Kevin Harvick versus Denny Hamlin showdown. While the two veterans are showing no signs of slowing down, Elliott's triumph was a window into NASCAR's future…
