What ever happened to the slingshot?

Question

What ever happened to the slingshot at plate races? I thought it was perfect for plate races so the winner isn't always relying on what 3rd place does (ex. Newman in the 500 w/ Kurt Busch). Does anyone know what happend to the aero package that ended it. Tony Stewart pulled a good one last year in the Nationwide car at Talladega but that has been it for a couple of years now.

Answer 1

I'm starting to see that KY fans are just as annoying as him.  Not all of them, but JC, that didnt have anything to do with the question................................

The slingshot is back with this car and with the throttle responce that they've been given with the lager RP.  There were some one car passes at Daytona and Dega.  All a slingshot is; is having the car behind the lead car reserve some power for a pass, they lay back a little, get a run, then shoot by the driver in front of them.

Answer 2

I think when they started to figure out front down force the sling shot became less effective.  Look at the cars from the late 80's to the early 90's.  The grill is almost straight up and down to the race track.  This would punch a big hole in the air and let the back car suck up faster.  This was an effective move even before restricter plates.

Denny Hamlin kind of had a slick move he was trying out in Talledega this year with the COT.  Too bad he didn't get to try it out for the win, but he moved out front three or four times during the race with a move that was similar to the sling shot.  Maybe we'll see more of it as these drivers get more comfortable with the COT.

Answer 3

Slingshot worked best without the plate because your car actually had power in reserve so when you pulled out from behind the car in front of you, you could give it more gas and shoot by. Now, you already have your foot to the floor with no reserve power, so the slingshot does not work.  Now you need someone to push you by another car.

Answer 4

srjrfan is right if you watched taladega this year denny hamlin was pushing cars to the front by him self and then passing them. was a thing of beauty

Answer 5

The front design of the new cars creates more drag so NASCAR allowed a larger opening in the restrictor plate which gives the drivers a little more throttle response. The drivers have a little more HP and move around more and can pass on their own without relying as much on the "slingshot".

Answer 6

Denny Hamlin is collecting them.