NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
  • Peg It on GarageMonkey
CUP: SPEED Crew Talks Back-To-Back West Coast Races
The SPEED team takes a minute to offer analysis of the latest storylines and what lies ahead this weekend in Las Vegas...
Megan Englehart  |  Posted March 09, 2012   Charlotte, NC
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. (Photo: Getty Images)
SPEED CREW TALKS BACK-TO-BACK WEST COAST RACES

There are only two races in the books in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, but the intensity, questions and headlines already have kicked into high gear. As they prepare to make the short trek from Phoenix to Las Vegas for this weekend’s race, the SPEED team takes a minute to offer analysis of the latest storylines and what lies ahead this weekend.

Q: Do you consider Denny Hamlin’s win last weekend at Phoenix more important to his confidence after a dismal 2011 season or more significant for crew chief Darian Grubb after his release last season from Stewart Haas Racing?

“Last week’s win at Phoenix was more important to Denny’s confidence than any ‘validation’ for Darian because over his career, Denny has shown that as talented as he is, he easily is rattled. So, a win this early in the season, especially at the track at which he essentially lost the 2010 championship, will be a big boost for Denny.”
--Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief

“The Phoenix victory was a statement more so for Darian Grubb than for Denny Hamlin. Hamlin didn’t forget how to drive last year. He had a fast car at Phoenix, and more importantly, Grubb made good adjustments throughout the race. Grubb has done a good job of instilling some confidence in Hamlin again, and when a driver has a fast car, it is amazing how quickly he remembers what confidence feels like.”
--Hermie Sadler, SPEED reporter

Q: There were some rumblings after Danica Patrick declined to be interviewed following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Phoenix last weekend. What are your thoughts on her decision not to talk?

“I think she should have done the interview. Danica is such a big part of this sport right now, and if she and her team want to take advantage of the intense media attention she is getting early in the season and before each race, then she needs to reciprocate by granting interviews regardless of where she finishes. She is entitled to a 10 or 15-minute cool-down period if she needs it, but the media want to tell her story and her fans want to hear how her day was, whether good or bad. It’s a two-way street.”
--Hermie Sadler, SPEED reporter

Q: We saw a poised Denny Hamlin throughout most of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship run -- right up until things went awry in the penultimate race at Phoenix. Some would argue that, as a result, he appeared mentally deflated in 2011. Assess where his mindset is now compared to the previous 13 months.

“The Phoenix victory was a statement more so for Darian Grubb than for Denny Hamlin. Hamlin didn’t forget how to drive last year. He had a fast car at Phoenix, and more importantly, Grubb made good adjustments throughout the race. Grubb has done a good job of instilling some confidence in Hamlin again, and when a driver has a fast car, it’s amazing how quickly he remembers what confidence feels like.”
--Hermie Sadler, SPEED reporter

“Denny Hamlin arrived at Daytona with so much more confidence than he exuded in 2011 and in the 2010 season finale when he lost the championship to Jimmie Johnson after his disaster at Phoenix the week before. That huge letdown seemed to carry over to 2011 and we never saw the same confidence and swagger from the year before. The competition better look out this year, though, because Hamlin appears back in his old, confident form.”
--Wendy Venturini, SPEED reporter

Q: Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) is new to the Cup Series this season, and there have been a few issues in the first two races, most notably Tony Stewart’s inability to re-fire his car at Phoenix after shutting off the engine to save fuel. Will EFI be a bigger story in 2012 than originally thought or will it just take a little time?

“There certainly will be some issues with EFI from time to time, but once we get through probably the first half of the season, teams will have a better handle on it. Like everything else in NASCAR, anytime a new element is introduced, complications arise. But these crew chiefs and teams are very talented and will figure it out.”
--Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief

“Even though we there was a lot of testing for EFI, nothing is a test like miles and miles under race conditions. It’s unfair to think we’re going to make this huge transition seamlessly. The fact that there have been only a couple of incidents with EFI thus far in 2012 is a huge testament to the great job everyone has done in testing and preparation. It’s only natural to have some bugs to work out, but overall, I think the transition has been fairly smooth so far.”
--Hermie Sadler, SPEED reporter

“I think NASCAR moved too fast in implementing EFI for the entire 2012 season. I wish they had gradually introduced it, say in only 10 races this year and then gone fulltime with it in 2013. Teams would have had more time to test it and see where potential problems lie instead of finding out in a points-paying race. I’m concerned EFI could cause so many sporadic problems that it knocks some guys out of contention for making the Chase.”
--Jimmy Spencer, SPEED analyst
megan_englehart's avatar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Megan Englehart

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR
Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | FAQ | Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy | Ad Choices | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | National Geographic | IGN | AskMen
The Motor Sports Authority, SPEED and associated logos are registered trademarks of Speed Channel Inc.
All Rights Reserved © Speed Channel, Inc. 2013

All external links will open in a new browser window. SPEED.com does not endorse external sites.