This problem once again reared its ugly head on Saturday night at Phoenix, this time taking a chunk out of Jeff Gordon, as the current points leader fell behind two laps due to a lug nut that just wasn’t where it was suppose to be. Unfortunately, this is just the most recent problem in the pit for drivers in NASCAR and one that has industry professionals and fans asking a few questions about the reasons for all the pit errors occurring during the races. A NASCAR race is often won or lost in the blink of an eye and this makes split seconds in the pit, one of the most critical factors to winning or losing, and sparks the question of whether or not pit stops are too much of a factor in determining the losers and winners in a NASCAR event.

In a sport that has always featured the driving skill of the athletes as the key to success, has the importance of the pit overtaken the importance of the drivers’ skill in determining the winners and losers?

Problems in the pit are making drivers and officials ask questions

Just why are all these mistakes occurring in the pit in a regular pattern? Are all the pit problems due to the human factor? Or, is there a problem occurring due to adjustments on a car that has produced the current problems?

NASCAR had made changes to the rules on the length of studs, could this be change in pit road that has caused tire changers to have problems getting lug nuts to stay tight? NASCAR officials and race teams have probably been asking themselves this question every time this problem pops-up, but only additional races and study of the problem will answer this question.

Image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

NASCAR Pit Problems

Many fans of the New Mexico Lobos were thrilled when former Iowa head coach Steve Alford agreed to take over their basketball program. And if their early recruiting success is any indication, everybody else in the Mountain West Conference had better take notice.

New Mexico signed Houston shooting guard Phillip McDonald to a letter of intent and dramatically upgraded their 2008 recruiting class. McDonald is the number 87 ranked player in the Rivals.com class of 2008 and is a major coup for the Lobos.

New Mexico has never been a desired destination for top-level recruits, but it appears that Alford could be changing that in a hurry. The Pit has always been one of the toughest places to play in the country, and it could be even tougher if Alford and the Lobos coaching staff can build on their recruiting momentum.

MWC foes beware…

Post from: EveryJoe

Alford is making noise on the recruiting trail