Help me out??

Question

I watched the first thirty some laps, and some of the guys pitted a bit earlier than predicted. I had to step out of the room to help my toddler (broke his arm earlier this week). Okay, caution came out, and I missed for the life of me how the guys that pitted early ended up being the leaders. They always talk about how "the last thing these guys want to see right now is a caution" because it will put them a lap down, or the tail end. So what did I miss?

Answer 1

I THINK it was because everyone else still had to pit and with the way a road course is, it's not all that easy to pass and catch back up just because you have newer tires.

It will be interesting to hear what others respond, cause I am interested, too!

Edited to add - That's kinda what I said, right, Rowdy?  LOL!!  At least that is what I MEANT to say???

Answer 2

What 18 said was what they told me happened in the question I asked earlier about the same thing. I missed it too.

I am glad and impressed by 18 fan's additional remarks about strategy and luck. I got labeled as a hater for making that statement on another question.

Kudos 18fan. Thumbs up

.........................................

It is, and I never realized it until tonight. In Jeff Gordon's interview he stated that he got up front under the same conditions. Check back and I'll post the link. Notice he'll say he was lucky and in pits when the caution came out and that got him to the front.   Be right Back with that link.

Ok I'm back. Here it is

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2008/06/...

Answer 3

In this race, because the track is so long and it takes a minute and a half to go around, you DO NOT lose a lap when you pit.

So, if you pit before the leader, you come out about 50-60 seconds behind, but on the lead lap.

When the caution comes out, the pace car collects the field, starting with the leader.  Therefore, those who have pitted are now only 6-8 seconds behind (when behind the pace car).

Leaders have to pit, so they lose their place.  The cars that have already completed their stops don't have to stop again, so they stay on track and pass the others - while they are in the pits.

Teams use a backward fuel mileage strategy at this track - if they can go 42 laps, they will stop with 42 laps to go, and 84 laps to go.  That way, if a caution comes out, they are at the front of the pack - as it happened today.

It actually happened twice today - with both of the first two cautions.  

This is unique to the road courses - but you can also do it at Pocono if you are at the front of the field.  Anyplace where you can pit without losing a lap, this strategy is a good move.

Answer 4

on a road course (or any course this long), some of the drivers were able to pit and stay on the end of the lead lap.  thus, when the caution fell, they didn't need to pit, and it allowed them to come back around to be at the tail end of the lead lap.  then when those who hadn't pitted went in for their stops, those who had pitted moved to the front.

strategery and luck.