Gordon's restart strategy - Brickyard 400

[ledslinger]

18 laps to go, Gordon is pushing Kahne for the lead and trying to make him use enough fuel that he can't make the finish. A car deep in the field stalls and seems not able to make to the pit so a yellow comes out. During the caution the pace car comes out and the field does about 4-5 laps behind the pace car, conserving fuel so likely Kahne can make the finish. During the laps behind the pace car, Gordon doesn't stay behind Kahne, but pulls along side of him, possibly forcing Kahne off line and into the marbles. Right before the restart Kahne tells crew chief "tires are filthy" Upon restart Kahne seems to have lost the speed he had before the caution and falls to 5th. Could Gordon have intentionally forced Kahne into the marbles causing debris to stick to the tires resulting in loss of traction? Did Gordon break the rules by not staying behind Kahne during the pace laps?

 

[mrsilv04]

So, here's the next question... is it a rule?

 

[ledslinger]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04

So, here's the next question... is it a rule?

Only thing I've found is that they are required to go to double file for the restart after the pace car leaves the track with one lap to go before the restart. Cars may be able to go to their double file position next to the car they will restart beside at any time. It seemed, but I'm not sure, that Gordon was on both sides of Kahne during the pace laps.

 

[DSparks]

They were talking about kasey not cleaning his tires very well cause he was shutting car off trying to save fuel.......gordon had him covered either way...kasey whiner as usual...

 

[ledslinger]

Originally Posted By: DSparks

They were talking about kasey not cleaning his tires very well cause he was shutting car off trying to save fuel.......gordon had him covered either way...kasey whiner as usual...

Did Kahne say anything about this in a post race interview?

 

[DSparks]

All I heard was mumbling and excuses...the tv guys were talking about the not cleaning tires/shutting car off alot

 

[Drew99GT]

According to this, Kasey said he didn't spin his tires. http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story...ick-motorsports

 

[bdcardinal]

All is fair IMHO. If they want to get all worked up, switch to the Safety Car procedure that F1 uses and let the leader dictate when to accelerate after the Safety Car accelerates away.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: ledslinger

Originally Posted By: DSparks

They were talking about kasey not cleaning his tires very well cause he was shutting car off trying to save fuel.......gordon had him covered either way...kasey whiner as usual...

Did Kahne say anything about this in a post race interview?

They shouldn't allow drivers to shut there cars off. To dangerous IMO.