penske/donohue Camaro

[Payton King]

Both cars were running up to date rubber.

[clill]

The average Pro-touring car owner probably little track experience so yes the good driver in the old car would win. Jeff Schwartz winning RSE with his Cadillac is a good example of what a good driver can do. He probably could have won the event with a rental car.

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by evilzee28

does modern technology help or hinder a driver s ability to progress

I don't see how starting out with 35 year old technology could be an advantage. Do the kids racing motocross start out riding 35 year old bikes? Do Sprint car and midget racers start out driving 35 year old open wheel dirt cars? No. They all take advantage of the latest technology and tools.

[bob johnson]

Originally Posted by Ummgawa

Did anyone here ever see the program where Ned Jarrett and Dale Jarrett got to drive each others cars from when they were driving Cup/Grand National? Ned's 63 Bonneville or Catalina and Dale's modern day Cup Car(I think at Talladega)? Ned got in his old school car and after 20 or so laps was turning times comparable with times he turned back in the day. Dale got in the same car and it flat out scared the Poop out of him(He did not come close to the speeds his OLD man was running). They switched and let Ned drive the Cup car and he had the damn thing up to qualifying speeds on modern races inside of 10 laps. That tells me that the driver is a huge part of this equasion(sp). Made me appreciate the older drivers alot more...they had/have stainless steel balls and big ones at that.

only balls Dale haves are GOLF BALLS..Can't imagine Toyota Wanting to pay him the big bucks when you've got young guns for hire

[Ummgawa]

I agree Bob. Dale is a whiney cheeze eater. I have never given a crap about him or his skills and really enjoyed seeing his old man hand him his ass on a plate as far as driving goes. If you saw the show you could tell Dale was served that day.

And Yes Payton, the tires were modern but Neds were the narrower tires like he ran back in the day.

My comment was in reference to the Old School drivers being tough as a two dollar steak vs. the prima donnas that are driving today. Earnhardt Sr. was definately the end of an era.

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by Ummgawa

My comment was in reference to the Old School drivers being tough as a two dollar steak

IE: Back when AJ Foyt ran USAC Sprint Cars.

[Payton King]

but I think Tony Stewart is trying to fill Dale E's shoes. He is not taking any crap, can drive hiss ass off and will put a dude in the wall. I am liking him more and more. He is about to replace little E as my favorite.

I have more respect for Jimmy Johnson now as well...He is having a pro-tour style 68 Camaro built even as we speak with a de-tuned NASCAR motor. I will try and get some spy shots if interested.

Back to the question posed. Of coarse a great driver makes a difference, but you cannot have 10 varibles and have a clear answer. Something needs to stay constant. If you are comparing old tech to new then, the driver needs to be the same. Comparing one driver to the next, the car needs to stay the same.

[JayR]

Scott's right, it's apples and oranges with different cars and drivers but Mark Donohue in an old car would drive around all but the very most experienced of us in a well prepped PT car like we were cones. He was a world class driver and drove around his competition who were very talented drivers themselves in all kinds of cars and classes.
Using extra hp to keep up with him would probably result in wadding the car in a corner at the end of a long straight because you let it all hang out trying to catch him.

[Derek69SS]

Regardless of which performs better, I've gotta say any vintage race-car is WAY cooler to me than any comparable modern street car.

Give me the opportunity to drive a road course in either the Penske/Donahue Camaro or The Mule, and I'll pick the Penske/Donahue car.

Give me the opportunity to make a pass in either an authentic straight-axle'd '41 willys that runs 10s, or some pro-streeter that runs 8s, and I'll pick the willys.

Give me the opportunity to go around Daytona in Smokey Yunick's '66 Chevelle or Dale Jr.'s modern cup car, and I'll take the Chevelle.

That's why I'm building a PT car, instead of buying a 'vette.

[Jr]

Payton,
Jimmie Johnson's car is finished. I will email a friend for pics