Tech Q&A: Kevin Hamlin

February 6, 2001
6:18 PM EST (2318 GMT)

Q. What happens if two drivers run the exact same time in qualifing? -- Rick Marr, Huntingburg Ind.

A. I think it's whichever driver is the highest in points, I'm not really sure though.

Q. What type of tubing is used in a Winston Cup chassis and is there a standard layout for the roll cage? -- Bruce Young, Windsor ,Ont. Canada

A. Yes, there is a standard layout for the roll cage, and as for the tubing, it's a round, magnetic steel seamless tubing, that's 1 + inches by 90/1000 inch minimum. That's straight from the rule book

Q. My friend claims that NASCAR drivers do not use a clutch in their cars to shift gears; they only let off of the gas to allow the shift to happen. However, I claim they do use a clutch knowing that I have seen many races where the foot cam has been used. Which of us is correct? Do they use clutches or not? --Chris Ritter, Catasauqua, Pa.

A. They're both right actually. You use a clutch for a standing start to take off with, and then at the road courses, where you use a Jericho transmission, you don't necessarily have to use the clutch, you can time the RPM's and measure the transmission for shifting. It's still preferred that you use the clutch and it's easier on the transmission.

Q. What is the range of cost to be the sole sponsor of a NASCAR car? I see that some cars have multiple, and some have just one sponsor. Can you tell me approximately how much it costs to be an individual sponsor? -- Jamie Marsh, San Diego, Calif.

A. That varies per spot on the car. If you're the major primary sponsor on the hood, the quarter panels and the truck lid, that can cost eight or $9 million. If it's the seat post, it depends on each car. You may get $2 million there.

Q. What tires would you add air pressure to if you wanted to make the car looser? Or tighter? -- Jesse Zanolini

A. It just depends on what situation you really want to see there. If you want to make the car looser, a lot of times we'll add air to the right rear tire. To make it tighter, we'll add air to the right front tire.