Infineon Strategy

I sure hope RGM is working on their fuel strategy for the road course races this year.
Every year we have one of the fastest cars, only to get beat by some wanker on fuel mileage. Last year was the worst by far.
I'd be more thrilled by a well-planned top 10 finish rather than leading the first half of the race only to finish 34th behind Sadler and Andretti...

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Permalink Reply by Jay on June 10, 2009 at 5:09pm

There is no rain in June in the Sonoma Valley unless it is a freak thunderstorm with a few drops. We will be fine.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Sweeney on June 10, 2009 at 12:59pm

that would murder us.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Lutz on June 10, 2009 at 8:31am

I agree - I flew out for the Sonoma race last year and the whole thing was terrible. The 104 degree heat didn't help; but, the racing was ridiculous. A complete parade.

In a previous post, I mentioned the need to shorten or lengthen the race enough so that everyone goes for speed and not fuel mileage. Watching people save fuel can be done on my morning commute.

What I'd really like to see this year is a Pole either in Sonoma or W.G. Then RG could set the pace

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Permalink Reply by Nena Patrick on June 10, 2009 at 8:53am

One thing that will help if he does fall behind for some reason is the double file starts. Can't wait to see some drivers that already have limited talent attempt this. There will be more off roading at this road course than there was at Baja!

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Permalink Reply by wilks7 on June 10, 2009 at 9:02am

the competition "factor" so to speak has gotten alot better.....starting up front is going to be very important

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Permalink Reply by Beagle7 on June 10, 2009 at 9:11am

I still insist there is only one strategy...and that is the 2 stops, and you come in on the lap that you can do that. So if you get 38 laps on fuel, you're looking at pits on lap 38 and then lap 74 to get to 112. Anything other than this mean you have to come for fuel a 3rd time which is a no no.

The wrinkle is the untimely cautions. 2 years ago the caution on lap 67 killed us (And Jeff and Tony) as none of them could go 45 laps on fuel. And Both Robby and Tony lost the mammoth lead they had on the rest of the field on that ensuing restart...then came to pit 3 laps later with a 2 second lead on people vs 20, 30+ on most of the field.

The real key is for there to be a green flag pit cycle between laps 67-74. There is that 3 lap (67-70) window there that makes it a fuel mileage race if one falls, and there is nothing that can be done about that. But to plan your race strategy around THAT is silly. Jeff and Tony recovered for 7th and 6th, respectively, and they were up against the same misfortune we were. Thats about all you can do if a caution falls on a lap that you cannot make it to the end on fuel with.
Granted you want the win, but we still should have finished top 10 easily in that race 2 years ago, not 16th (though our pit stop was not stellar which placed us further back in the field if I recall).

Also, I think green flag stops on both pits for us would be huge, as with our usual 15-17 second stop, we'll lose only one spot or 2 on the track which we can make up. We could get BURIED on a caution pitstop if it falls on lap 38 or 72, etc.

That all being said, as I anticipate Robby running up front all day, the double file restart will make it tougher...HOWEVER, if something goes awry, with a few cautions, Robby can make up a TON of spots on a double file restart each time.

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Permalink Reply by Tufftimes on June 10, 2009 at 10:17am

With the new restart rules the fast cars "should" be at the front on restarts. This means you are going to be pushed hard by other drivers all day long (No lap cars between you and the next fastest car). This will likely mean that the winner (I mean Robby) will probably do better if he is concerned more about tire management than fuel.

You only go as far as the fuel can take you. But you can only go fast, as long as the tires let you.

The double file restarts are going to take out a lot of good cars though. Will Robby be one of them?

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on June 10, 2009 at 10:37am

I predict Robby will qualify in the Top 10, drive to the Top 5 and report "He's just cruisin" and then wait and see how the pit window falls...if he gets good fule mileage he will have a Top 5 and hopefully a win, otherwise it will be another blown opportunity.

I would normally think Robby would win here but when you look at what he's up against now it will be a challenge:
Jeff Gordon is always solid at road courses
Tony Stewart is always solid at road courses
Kyle Busch swept both events last year
Kurt Busch has a better car this year...not sure about fuel mileage yet with the Dodge
Marcos Ambrose will have a better car this year
Juan Pablo Montonya has a better car this year
Patrick Carpentier will be in the #55 and will be good
Scott Speed will be a interesting twist
You always ahve a few suprises too...

Robby having a new car and testing it should be good, they sound confident.

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Permalink Reply by wilks7 on June 10, 2009 at 12:45pm

i sure hope RG doesn't come on the radio and say "just cruisin" that will be the kiss of death!!

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Permalink Reply by Lance on June 11, 2009 at 1:47pm

I was thinking that too. I think Robby will race into the top 3, report he's just cruising and then a wheel falls off or he blows up or runs out of gas.