Looks like he's down towards the bottom of the sheet. First Practice 41st at a 24.52 (146.837 mph)
In happy hour, was 37th at a 24.372 (147.710 mph). Anyone think he can get a decent finish?
All I can say is , practice ended on a good note, so the practice rankings arent that big of a deal. He got the high groove working pretty good when he was runnign against Kurt Busch late in happy hour. In the Nationwide race today,Scott Speed tried to pass Paul Menard for 20 straight laps on the bottom, but could never get the bite off the corner, because Paul had the high groove working. I exclusively watched the high groove runners in the wide race today, and they were able to hold their own against guys passing on the bottom.
Well if the tires are anything like they were for the Truck race, there won't be many of the long green flag runs that people seem to counting on. Maybe the attrition will help RG move up more.
I have a photo of multiple lap tires taken off the car today, and I asked if they were ok, and I was told they were just fine. I will upload it in a sec, RG's tire tech and Doug Richert are looking at them. Didn't the truck race winner stay out on old tires today ?
We have to remember that practice is practice and racing is racing. The objectives are not the same. The numbers from each will be different. I am choosing to stay positive. I am positive that Robby will not win this year at Dover. But the practice numbers are no indication of where he will finish tomorrow.
also..if you watch the avg time on the Live leaderboard during practice..RGs avg for all laps in 2nd practice was at a 24.72. Most of the top 20 were in the 24.55-.65 range.
They run that faster individual lap that makes us look miserable..but like TOG said and what I heard from Slugger Labbe a few weeks ago on Sirius...if you do not have a pair of stickers to practice on (or choose not to use them) you will not put down that fast lap that gets you to the top of the chart.
i.e. a team like the 71 uses all of their alloted sticker tires on qual runs in 1 st practice..so if they make the race...the 2 practices on Saturday all they have is old tires to use...hence their practice times will be nowhere near the top of the chart..but the car may handle very well and be able to pass other cars
Thank God we have TOG. And I don't mean that in a bad way. We are very lucky to have info straight from the track with no B.S. IMO I think Robby is going to have a good day. Thanks for the info TOG. Keep it coming it's very appreciated. That's really tight from 1st to 40th. TOG, If the cars are all this close on new tires do you think Robby will gamble and stay out for track position early and hope for longer runs later?
Let's not forget one very important fact, Robby Gordon is the show. I've seen him make more with less. He's a strategist with heart, passion and an excellent head for racing on his shoulders. And one more thing... suck my balls NASCAR. That's it, have a nice day.