Sunday, July 15, 2001
Auto Racing Insider
Dodge's comeback effort in pits so far
By Tom Groeschen
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A rather grumpy fellow phoned recently and left an anonymous voice mail: “How come you haven't written about how bad Dodge is doing in NASCAR this year? I thought they were supposed to be so great, and they haven't won a thing. Why don't you write about that?”
(Click).
Well. Dodge actually is doing quite well.
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series, that is.
Counting Scott Riggs' victory Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway, Dodge has won 10 the 13 truck races this year.
Oh, sorry. You mean in Winston Cup!
Well, Dodge isn't doing too hot there. After nearly 15 years away, Dodge's much-ballyhooed return to Winston Cup racing has produced no victo
ries through the season's halfway point.
Dodge did win poles for both Daytona races (Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin) this season. And got lots of press.
But no, Dodge hasn't done much else. And its big star, Ray Evernham, apparently does not walk on the same water he did as Jeff Gordon's crew chief with Chevy.
It's the same story this year for Evernham Motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing, Petty Enterprises, Melling Racing and Bill Davis Rac ing. They're the Dodge boys, and even with drivers as accomplished as Elliott, Marlin and Ward Burton, they've been blanked.
And now, Dodge is asking NASCAR for help. Engineers with Daimler Chrysler have created a lighter engine, and car owners such as Ganassi and Davis are asking for changes with the body templates.
The Dodge teams report the Intrepids lack downforce on the front wheels. That creates a situation known as “under-steer” or “tight.” That means the Dodge cars have a tendency to drive straight although the steering wheel is turned.
“I don't know if we're getting the full potential out of the car,” Elliott recently told Winston beat reporters. “I think there's more there to be gotten.”
Jim Julow, vice president at Dodge Global Brand Center, recently told the Florida Times-Union that the company is seeking ways to make the cars better.
“For us to build image with motorsports, we have to be successful,” Julow said. “And successful includes winning.”
DORAN WINS AGAIN: The Doran/Lista Racing team, operated by Delhi native Kevin Doran, won last week's Road America 500 event at Elkhart Lake, Wis.
For Doran, it was his team's second win of 2001 on the Grand American Road Racing circuit. Doran's driving team of Didier Theys, Mauro Baldi and Fredy Lienhard also won this season at the Six Hours at the Glen event at Watkins Glen, N.Y.
JONES SECOND: Dar ren Jones (Fairfield) finished second in last week's ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series event at Crystal, Mich. Jones started 18th and was charging toward the lead when the checkered flag fell.
The ARCA trucks, rained out at Kentucky Speedway in May, are scheduled to return to Kentucky next month on the Indy Racing League weekend (Aug.10-12).
NHRA UPDATE: Angelle Savoie, the NHRA's reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, has tied Top Fuel legend Shirley Muldowney as the sport's winningest female. Savoie scored her 18th career win last week at the NHRA 50th Anniversary Nationals at Pomona, Calif.
Savoie, 31, has movie-star good looks and has been dubbed “The Princess of Drag Racing” by NHRA.com. She cuts a striking figure during races, with her long, dark hair flying out from under her racing helmet. She's the glamour girl in a sport dominated by men, but she also wins more than most of the guys.
And forget it, boys. The former Angelle Seeling was married in February to Nicky Savoie.
“I've proved my point,” Savoie told NHRA.com earlier this year. “A girl can win races and win the championship.”
Contact Tom Groeschen at 768-8446; fax: 768-8550; e-mail: tgroeschen@enquirer.com.
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