Question for MFAWG

[Teed]

It seems as though you're the resident expert on racing.  Question...what's the natural progression to get on the NASCAR circuit?
Do you have to qualify at certain levels before you get to the big races?  If so what are those levels?

[stroh]

And while we're at it, how is it that adding a quarter wedge and running the right front baggy can keep you in the groove on 1, but get you loose through 3 and having to run high on the backstretch?

[MFAWG]

Now? Have a pretty face and sell lot's of razor blades after winning a Dwarf Car Championship in a ride your father spent about a gajillion dollars on whilst your competition struggled to make the mortgages and barely kept parts on and fuel in the car.

Worked for Kyle and Kurt Busch, and Joey Logano.

Back in the day? Struggle in relative obscurity running tracks close to home, finally find a ride in a regional series, or perhaps find a sponsorship deal to put your own team together. Then FINALLY get a shot running for some owner who struggles to finish 20th every week in The Big Show or at least The Almost Big Show.

That said, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Darrel Waltrip BOTH pretty much married into their rides, Waltrip more so.

 

[MFAWG]

And while we're at it, how is it that adding a quarter wedge and running the right front baggy can keep you in the groove on 1, but get you loose through 3 and having to run high on the backstretch?

Because in a car that's on the edge of control all the time, moving the center of gravity even a 1/4 or 1/2 an inch can have a really big impact on how the car drives.

[stroh]

And while we're at it, how is it that adding a quarter wedge and running the right front baggy can keep you in the groove on 1, but get you loose through 3 and having to run high on the backstretch?

Because in a car that's on the edge of control all the time, moving the center of gravity even a 1/4 or 1/2 an inch can have a really big impact on how the car drives.

Agreed. 
(I guess my biggest question/argument/misunderstanding ) is and will always be how a race car that is set up to be so exact (according the rules and requirements ) can be so different from car to car and race to race.

[gleek]

...competition struggled to make the mortgages and barely kept parts on and fuel in the car.

Back in the day? Struggle in relative obscurity running tracks close to home, finally find a ride in a regional series, or perhaps find a sponsorship deal to put your own team together. Then FINALLY get a shot running for some owner who struggles to finish 20th every week in The Big Show or at least The Almost Big Show.

They're doing it all wrong!