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Indy 500. Hurry turn it on. Lol.

SHOCKtheMONKEY

SHOCKtheMONKEY

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rrrr said:
Because mechanical grip provided by the tires, in conjunction with aero downforce, allow the cars to lap at speeds over 220 MPH.

When I measured tire temps in the pit at Indy after a five or ten lap practice stint, they would be around 218° F. After the ¾ lap preceding Lap 199 and approaching the green, they would have been around 180° F. If temperature and grip are linear, and it's reasonably close, that's about a 20% reduction.

The front and rear wings of the car are adjusted to provide the maximum downforce of about 2,200 lbs at the anticipated race speed, which this year was between 219-223 MPH. That's 600 lbs more than the weight of the car. Any speed less than that produces less downforce, and the car isn't as stable. In addition, when the cars are packed up during the first lap, the turbulence produced by wings of the leading cars produces even less stability through the field.

When the green waved on Lap 199, the tires weren't up to racing temperature. The lead cars were going about 180 MPH when they crossed the start finish line. Mechanical and aero grip was deficient, and didn't maximize until the last corner.

Combine that with the aggression of the remaining 21 drivers on track trying to improve multiple positions, and it was absolutely and significantly more dangerous than if the cars had first circulated a couple of laps at 130 MPH before the green flag.

By the end of the lap you could see the lead cars of Newgarden and Ericsson were stuck quite well as they aggressively weaved out of Turn 4. But it was quite possible one or two cars near the front of the field could have washed up into the wall earlier exiting Turn 1, and caused a dangerous melee involving most of the field. The aeroscreen provides much improved driver protection, and the tubs are built to take huge impacts at speeds over 200 MPH, but things happen in racing that aren't anticipated.

So that's why it was unsafe. It's much different than NASCAR, because as I said, the aero devices on an IndyCar at 220 MPH produces about 2,200 lbs of downforce. The stock cars aren't even close to being that aero dependent, they're slower, and they take longer to accelerate because of their greater weight.

Hope this helps.
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How is this different from a green flag pit stop, they seem to come up to speed and race just fine on cold tires. This was demonstrated multiple times during the race.
 
was thatguy

was thatguy

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Skinny Tire AH said:
I always amazed how many professional motorsports racing experts post on a regional boating forum. :cool:
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I’m a little disappointed.
I wanted a thesis on lateral G’s vs retention gravitational force vs tire temperature vs extension cord “bleed”.
 
riverroyal

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I dont have much add except I just ask Paul tracy how the channel was today. Apparently a shit show 😁
 
westair

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Mr. C said:
I missed what you said about pinching Pato into the grass so I can’t comment.
Watching his interview after however once think he has some points that a one lap shoot out at Indy is not a good idea.
That said. I’d rather have that than finished under caution or red. But for Indy maybe a 3-5 lap once. Maybe twice try.

Also. Note. Not a huge fan or hater of Penske. But do like Newgarden. And the way he handles himself.
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How can you not be a fan of Penske ... he's done everything for this sport to survive!
 
rrrr

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SHOCKtheMONKEY said:
How is this different from a green flag pit stop, they seem to come up to speed and race just fine on cold tires. This was demonstrated multiple times during the race.
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Because it was the entire field doing 3/4 of a lap. Acceleration out of the pits, onto the blend lane and the backstretch of a few cars into traffic isn't the same as all cars doing it at the same time.

I explained the specifics of how and why the cars react to the conditions that occurred. Dunno what else to say.
 
rrrr

rrrr

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Vamodsquad said:
Are all Indy car Drivers married to Supermodels ?

Iris was hot !
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Check out Emma Dixon.

NINTCHDBPICT000737063678.jpg
 
JJ McClure

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SHOCKtheMONKEY said:
What's your opinion on the end of the race Mr. racecarguy?
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I liked it. Very interesting race. Liked the red flags and that they let it lose at the end. I’ll agree with the cold tire comments. Hard to get temps and pressures in a half a lap. But fair to me racing in the end.

Also super happy Kirkwood walked away. Worst wreck I’ve seen since Justin Wilson.
 
Joker

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If the shoe was on the other foot, the guy in second wouldn’t have been whining.
Im thinking they kept throwing reds to get Foyts guy to victory lane.
 
530RL

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Joker said:
If the shoe was on the other foot, the guy in second wouldn’t have been whining.
Im thinking they kept throwing reds to get Foyts guy to victory lane.
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To your point, I can’t help but wonder if a Penske driver on a Penske track was leading with little to go would the race director do whatever was necessary to have a one lap shootout?

Masi got fired for it! Is Ericsson’s point any different than Mercedes point in Abu Dhabi?

I hope they would do it the same regardless of who was in the lead as I do think it was the right call, in both Abu Dhabi and today in Indy.
 
Wayn-o

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Mr. C said:
I was getting annoyed no comment about the tire. But as you said. It seemed to fly over the stands and into an open space. Thank goodness
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That was looking like it was going to be really bad. The camera was following it and I think the cameraman knew it was heading for people and he turned the camera away. Glad it didn’t hit anyone. I was at the Indy car race in Michigan years ago when Adrian Fernandez hit the wall bewtween 3 and 4 and the tire flew over the fence and killed some one in the stands.
 
Willie B

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… I only went in a straight line on Nitro… So I guess that doesn’t count…lol…
 
Mr. C

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westair said:
How can you not be a fan of Penske ... he's done everything for this sport to survive!
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I should have said it differently It’s not that I’m not a fan. I am just a bigger fan of other owners.
And I agree. He is probably the main reason Indy still is around in the capacity it is.
 
SHOCKtheMONKEY

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rrrr said:
Because it was the entire field doing 3/4 of a lap. Acceleration out of the pits, onto the blend lane and the backstretch of a few cars into traffic isn't the same as all cars doing it at the same time.

I explained the specifics of how and why the cars react to the conditions that occurred. Dunno what else to say.
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What's your thoughts on this?


Not trying to be argumentative, I like hearing from someone that was in the industry. 👍
 
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