Stewart left the Chili Bowl with an arm injury after rolling three times, but he is expected to recover quickly. Last year Stewart was
able to cross off a win at Indy on his 'to do' list, and now he can look forward to fixing his 0 for 7 streak in the Daytona 500.
It should be noted that testing and racing are totally different animals. A car with good speed by itself can be the kiss of death at 'plate' races, where what you need is a car that drafts well. So, don't put a lot of faith in these test times. Although, if you are like me, just seeing them - and hearing them - circulate after the winter break gets the blood flowing again.
So, is it prediction time? Well, for my money, I'll take Stewart to have another
banner year, and double up on the championship. And my long-shot choice? Dale Jr.
NASCAR Tests Car of the Future
In what can only be described as one of the ugliest cars to come out of any racing stable in recent memory, okay, maybe not quite as bad as the first Daytona Prototypes, the 'car of tomorrow' Nextel Cup car resembles an ARCA or ASA car trimmed out to compete in the now defunct Trans Am Series. It has a monster front splitter, a really enhanced front bumper, and what can only be
described as a 'boy racer' wing on the back. The idea, according to NASCAR, is to go with a 'universal' car that can be used at all tracks with minor changes. The rear wing was the latest addition.
"It's all about wake turbulence," NASCAR vice president of research and development Gary Nelson said of the airflow over the back of the car. "If you can control that wake turbulence [by using wings and different end plates] you can give the driver following more control and ability to pass and run side by side."
While it maybe ugly, the new car isn't slow. With a plate motor in it, Brett Bodine turned some laps at about 48.19 seconds at a speed of 186.760 mph.
Dakar to Alphand and Coma, While Chagin Hits Back
A
total of 93 bikers, 67 car crews and 33 trucks were all that made it to Dakar, the site of the finish line of the 28th Euromilhoes-Lisboa-Dakar. Luc Alphand won for Mitsubishi in the car race aboard his Mitsubishi Pajero Evo IV, while Marc Coma taking the bike race made for two first time winners. Vladimir Chagin, always strong sitting behind the wheel of his Kamaz, conquered his fifth title.
Sadly, two children killed during the final stages of the event, along with biker Andy Caldecott, put a damper on the celebrations.
 |
| For my money, I'll take Stewart to have another banner year, and double up on the championship. (Photo: Dorsey Patrick) |
It should be noted that testing and racing are totally different animals. A car with good speed by itself can be the kiss of death at 'plate' races, where what you need is a car that drafts well. So, don't put a lot of faith in these test times. Although, if you are like me, just seeing them - and hearing them - circulate after the winter break gets the blood flowing again.
So, is it prediction time? Well, for my money, I'll take Stewart to have another
 |
| Nascar's 'Car of Tomorrow' is shown here in Dodge Charger trim. |
NASCAR Tests Car of the Future
In what can only be described as one of the ugliest cars to come out of any racing stable in recent memory, okay, maybe not quite as bad as the first Daytona Prototypes, the 'car of tomorrow' Nextel Cup car resembles an ARCA or ASA car trimmed out to compete in the now defunct Trans Am Series. It has a monster front splitter, a really enhanced front bumper, and what can only be
 |
| The 'Car of Tomorrow's boy racer wing is hardly subtle. |
"It's all about wake turbulence," NASCAR vice president of research and development Gary Nelson said of the airflow over the back of the car. "If you can control that wake turbulence [by using wings and different end plates] you can give the driver following more control and ability to pass and run side by side."
While it maybe ugly, the new car isn't slow. With a plate motor in it, Brett Bodine turned some laps at about 48.19 seconds at a speed of 186.760 mph.
Dakar to Alphand and Coma, While Chagin Hits Back
A
 |
| A total of 93 bikers, 67 car crews and 33 trucks were all that made it to Dakar, with Mitsubishi once again taking victory. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors) |
Sadly, two children killed during the final stages of the event, along with biker Andy Caldecott, put a damper on the celebrations.