Tech Q&A: Robbie Reiser

February 8, 2001
6:06 PM EST (2306 GMT)

Q: I've noticed that sometimes during a pit stop a crew member will pull a clear covering off the windshield instead of cleaning it. What is this covering and why do you use it? Robert Atlanta

A: The covering we use is made by DuPont. It's a regular clear covering that we're able to put on in one or two or three layers. The reason we use it is it's much, much easier than trying to clean the windshield. If the windshield is dirty, you just reach over there and pull it off during the race.

Q:How much Caster/Camber are NASCAR teams allowed in their setup? Grant Garber Naughton, Ontario, Canada

A: In the front end we can use as much as we want. On the rear end the maximum allowed is 1.5 on the left and the right. Generally on the front of the car we'll use anywhere from three to five on the weekends. That varies from driver to driver and team to team though.

Q: We've all seen the TV commercials that say, "We use the same motor oil that you run in your car." But do they really? I know there are differences in qualifying and race day oil but what weight of oil do they use and is it synthetic or regular or a blend? Joe Kane Little York

A: Yes, we actually use Valvoline 5W30 in both qualifying and racing, it's essentially the same thing you have in your car.

Q: What is the average cost of a complete racecar? David Morrison Breille, N.J.

A: I'd have to say most of the cars are approximately $100,000 apiece with engines in them, complete units ready to go on the track with labor included.

Q: Name the parts that are found on any production auto or truck that are used in NASCAR. From what I have seen on your show and others that cover NASCAR there are no stock parts that are used in the current rules. It seems like things have gone too far! Wil Hodges Bellingham Wash.

A: In the body situation, we use a stock roof, a stock hood, a stock deck lid. Actually the quarter-panel fillers are also used. That would be what we use on the body. Frame-wise and suspension-wise, most everything's aftermarket. We don't really use stock products other than that.