Each month, Stock Car Racing asks a set of readers' questions to a different professional in the racing industry. If you have a question, send it to Stock Car Racing, 5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Suite 330, Concord, NC 28027, or via e-mail to stockcar@primediacmmg.com.
Q: What gauge sheetmetal is used on NASCAR race cars and in what form is it purchased?
Bill Morgan
Tallahassee, FL
A: Most of it is purchased in 4x8 sheets and it's formed from that onto the cars. Some of the interior is made from a different gauge than what the body itself is made out of. Anywhere from 24 to 28 gauge is about normal.
Q: In general, do crew chiefs and drivers like running road-course races, or would they prefer not to?
Linda Shue
Richmond, VA
A: It goes back to an individual's background. If someone comes up out of the road-course ranks, they probably like running road courses. If they've run oval tracks all their life, they probably like doing that. It's more of a preference on each individual person based on what his background is. I would rather run ovals, and high-banked ovals are what I like running the best whenever I work on the cars.
Q: What can be learned from reading spark plugs?
Jason Marley
Charlotte, NC
A: The reason we read plugs is to see if we have a lean or rich (fuel) mixture. Some people put a lot more faith into the process than others, but that's how the fuel mixture is adjusted for the engines. Spark plug reading is an art. Some people are a lot more experienced and a lot better at it than others. It just takes time to learn.
A Goodyear crewman works in...
A Goodyear crewman works in an area used to mount and balance the tires and wheels used in Winston Cup competition.
Q: Why aren't roller cams allowed for Winston Cup motors?
Wade Hampton
Dodge City, KS
A: Years ago when they made the rule book it had flat-tappet cams in it and they just never changed it. It's an older rule that's been in Winston Cup for a long time, and that's the direction they've always gone. Roller cams would open up a little different avenue with the way they put engines together and the way they check them. So that's the way they go right now.
Q: What is done with tires after a NASCAR race?
Barbi Goldsmith
Atlanta, GA
A: There are all kinds of different things that happen to them. Most of them get carried back in a regular wheel service that gathers them for all the Winston Cup teams. The ones that aren't distributed to the fans or made into souvenirs are either warehoused or disposed of.
Q: Doesn't it needlessly damage a car's engine and drivetrain whenever a driver does a burnout after winning a race?
Robby Quinn
Madison, WI
A: It surely doesn't help it any. Most of the engines are rebuilt after the races anyway, which means we run one race on each motor. What they do after the race probably doesn't affect anything, and I don't think it's that big of a factor. Again, most of the stuff is changed after 500 miles, basically after one weekend of racing. So if they're lucky enough to win a race, then let them have fun.
Q: Are wheels balanced whenever tires are mounted for Winston Cup cars?
Mason Montgomery
Buffalo, NY
A: Yes. It's the same exact concept as used on a passenger car. They probably get a little closer on a race wheel than what they do on a street wheel.