Clay drives Tony's Canopy Car (2 Viewers)

[LoPony]

I’m on the side of, like a lot of us on here; and willing to say/bet. Clay’s age (born in the mid 60’s) and how he has always “done it”; is why he is skeptical about it. Just like we are on here about how thing’s/racing used to be and the state it is in today. He & crew may not want to change because that is how they have always done it. But on the other side of this. Brittany Force is most likely lighter than Clay and Justin Ashley is probably close to Clay’s weight (maybe a little heavier) and seem to have figured it out & doing pretty well. And the most interesting example is Doug Kalitta. Was having a mediocre season 2 years ago when he wrecked at the first race in playoffs & pulled his backup car (without a canopy) and went on a terror to win his first championship! Was anyone else surprised that he came back out the following season with a canopy car, like I was? Seems to be working out for him quite well.
Just my $.02

All good points. Kalitta, though, stuck with an open cockpit after the tire failure and still runs open?

 

[mick]

doug was driving an enclosed cockpit when he cut a rear tire during Q for '23 reading race.
he switched to open cockpit and preceeded to win the points in '23. i'm almost positive that team has not raced
an enclosed cockpit since, which continues to this present day ....... article on DI.com this morning stated that doug only
needs to Q at pomona to clinch the 2025 points.

 

[LoPony]

Now folks, you gotta love that....

How about y'all? Would YOU prefer a canopy? Weight and CG aside, would you prefer the intensity of the noise and wind in your face or a quieter ride that helps keep the bugs out of your teeth? Do you consider it to be a safety hazard in the event of a fire? I believe I'd take the canopy but being as I've never driven a TF car, that's just a guess. And Millican might have a change of heart if the differences in Stewart's car weren't factors.

Being 6’1 and 210, I’d think the open car would be my choice. I’d need all the weight transfer advantages I could get. You sit so far down and the windshield is protecting you from most everything anyway.

 

[65 Goatboy]

Now folks, you gotta love that....

How about y'all? Would YOU prefer a canopy? Weight and CG aside, would you prefer the intensity of the noise and wind in your face or a quieter ride that helps keep the bugs out of your teeth? Do you consider it to be a safety hazard in the event of a fire? I believe I'd take the canopy but being as I've never driven a TF car, that's just a guess. And Millican might have a change of heart if the differences in Stewart's car weren't factors.

If I was 27 I'd want the intensity of noise and wind in my face, now that I'm 67 I'll take the canopy.

 

[T.Smith]

I think part of Clay's resistance to moving to a canopy car is that he recognizes his small stature is a performance advantage for most crew chiefs and gives him extra value as a hired driver. The lack of weight in the center of the car allows it to arch more freely. In a time where drivers are often seen as replaceable they need to prove their value, whether it is good RT's or in the case of Clay, staying trim to offer that little bit of advantage to the CC. By moving to the canopy car and adding the 40lbs or so, it reduces that advantage that he has worked for. And if you don't think he takes this seriously, listen to him talk about his restricted diet on race weekends and look for the stationary bike that he hauls around to the races. It's kind of like a horse jockey, LOL.

That's why we didn't build a canopy car. Wanted to save as much weight as possible.

 

[z28]

Now folks, you gotta love that....

How about y'all? Would YOU prefer a canopy? Weight and CG aside, would you prefer the intensity of the noise and wind in your face or a quieter ride that helps keep the bugs out of your teeth? Do you consider it to be a safety hazard in the event of a fire? I believe I'd take the canopy but being as I've never driven a TF car, that's just a guess. And Millican might have a change of heart if the differences in Stewart's car weren't factors.

Canopy