Trucks. Racing them seems weird on the surface of it.
They pull with engines full of torque and low gear power. Speed is not their first function of design.
Yet they are the vehicle of choice for NASCAR for high speed and tight racing as the Camping World Truck Series.
They opened the season at Daytona and with more than a month off return to racing in April at Martinsville. After that, the schedule fills up and the run for points tightens up. It is no small wonder, with an essential season reboot, that teams and drivers took a run at Martinsville in mid-March for a refresher.
Stepping, somewhat, out of the shadows of their fathers are Jeb Burton and Chase Elliott. Their fathers, Ward and Bill, carry some weight but as the sons made clear once the call to start engines is on the race is all in the driver’s seat. The advice and pep talks ride in the back of the mind and it is up to them to apply their own skills to the track.
After all, there is only one seat in those things.
Both Elliott and Burton showed respect for their fathers’ accomplishments while pointing out they can not race against them, or even with them. On the track they are on the line to produce their own results and both of these young drivers seem to be determined to do exactly that.
Burton is off to fine start with a 5th place finish at the Daytona opener.
Another top 10 finisher from Daytona was on hand to turn some early laps at Martinsville. Miguel Paludo finished 7th and was eager to get back to regular racing, as was James Buescher and Caleb Holman.
The three more seasoned veterans were also dialing in the set-ups with their teams and throwing themselves into the rhythm of Martinsville after the high banks of Daytona. While pointing out that “racing is racing” they did acknowledge the unique style of driving it takes to tame the paperclip. Big acceleration and big breaks and hitting them at the right time and the same time are key to a good run. Maintaining the rear balance on the low banks and keeping a cool head while getting knocked around is another factor.
They all seemed to agree that going after the guy that rubbed your fender back in turn 3 is detrimental to success at Martinsville.
History, however, seems to show that tempers, with fenders, get bent and someone is in the wall… Time, and the Kroger 250 on April 6th, will show if intensions or tempers win out.
Martinsville Speedway opens their gates for racing April 5th, 6th and 7th. Pole Day is back on Friday. The Kroger 250 Camping World Series truck race is Saturday and the Sprint Cup STP Gas Booster 500 is on Sunday.
Practicing is fine. Racing, however, has a tendency to throw all of that pre-race knowledge out the window.
Especially when that guy just smacked your bumper a bit too hard and needs a reminder that you don’t appreciate it.
Martinsville… Go Racin’!
Tickets available online at Martinsville Speedway and by calling 1-800-RACE-TIX. Check Fan Zone specials, packages and all the options to make your race visit a 2013 highlight!
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