NEXTEL CUP AUTO CLUB 500: EARNHARDT FEELING FOILED BY NEW SPOILERS.Byline: Louis Brewster Staff Writer FONTANA - Of all the new rules implemented for the Auto Club 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took issue with the new spoilers. ``Give me an inch on the spoiler spoiler: see airplane. 1. spoiler - A remark which reveals important plot elements from books or movies, thus denying the reader (of the article) the proper suspense when reading the book or watching the movie. 2. and more font downforce The term downforce describes the downward pressure created by the aerodynamic characteristics of a car that allows it to travel faster through a corner by holding the car to the track or road surface. ,'' Earnhardt said. ``If we all had good downforce, we could drive our cars really good. They drive like they were built 20 years ago.'' The spoiler was cut down an inch to 4 1/2 inches, a change implemented here this weekend and will be used the rest of the season. He said he could get used to the other changes NASCAR NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), organization that sanctions American stock-car races, est. 1948. It held its first race in Daytona Beach, Fla. has made, including the softer tire compound and new qualifying rules. --Trash talk: One of the results of having 95,000 fans on the grounds is the amount of trash generated. It caught the attention of drivers, several of whom picked up paper wrappers on the front of their cars. ``Overheating Overheating An economy that is growing very quickly, with the risk of high inflation. was primarily because of all the trash on the track,'' said Ryan Newman, who finished ninth in the Alltel Dodge. ``If we didn't have people throwing trash out there and actually had people picking stuff up, it would have been a lot better and we wouldn't have to worry about that.'' --New deal: The Automobile Club of Southern California The Automobile Club of Southern California was founded December 13, 1900 in Los Angeles as one of the nation's first motor clubs dedicated to improving roads, proposing traffic laws and improvement of overall driving conditions. signed a three-year agreement with the speedway to continue as sponsor for the Nextel Cup race. The Auto Club has been associated with the Fontana track since 1997. ``It has proven to be an outstanding venue for the Auto Club to showcase its products and services,'' Auto Club president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Thomas McKernan said. ``Motorsports is an integral part of the heritage of the Auto Club and we are pleased to continue and build upon that legacy through this very successful partnership.'' Sunday's race was the third under Auto Club sponsorship. Prior to that, the Auto Club sponsored four Busch Series races. --No fatback fat·back n. The strip of fat from the upper part of a side of pork, usually dried and salt-cured. Noun 1. fatback - salt pork from the back of a hog carcass : Although crew chief Michael ``Fatback'' McSwain was back home in North Carolina recuperating from back surgery, he was able to make a few changes to Ricky Rudd's Motorcraft Ford via telephone. ``They made a few adjustments after the car got banged up,'' said Rudd of his early crash. ``I was surprised that we could ride around and meet the minimum NASCAR speed. That was not going to be an issue. ``Some days it's not your day and definitely today was not ours.'' Rudd and Bill Elliott got together and Rudd brushed the wall along the backstretch back·stretch n. The part of an oval racecourse farthest from the spectators and opposite the homestretch. . ``I guess maybe I was guilty of racing too hard in the early stages,'' Rudd said. ``There was a hole there when I went to drift into line. I don't know if Bill was watching his mirror, but he got me in the back bumper and turned me right into the wall. Our day was over then.'' A.J. Perez contributed to this report. |
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