NASCAR Cup Series

Sprint Cup teams adapt to variables

Published Sep. 22, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

Jeff Hammond

So, as we saw in Chicago last weekend, Mother Nature dictated when the race was run.

To me, the really good teams are ready to handle this type of situation. This is what they live for. This is what gives them an advantage. Their preparation, their mental toughness and their desire to overcome all obstacles gives them the edge on getting results instead of giving excuses.

You have to have plans in place for all contingencies. Weather issues are a major one.

I think that is why Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus have been so successful these past five years. They anticipate everything and don’t take even the smallest detail for granted. Almost to a fault, they overprepare. Sometimes, you would even think they have plans for their plans.

In the past five years, Johnson and Knaus have been able to adapt and succeed better than anyone else. When there are issues on the track or at the track, those two are able to rebound.

The weather situation just adds yet another layer of stress onto these teams. It totally disrupts your schedule.

When Mother Nature forces a postponement of a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to a Monday, as it did last week at Chicagoland Speedway, it has a domino effect on everything.

The short-term problems involve arranging for hotel rooms, rental cars, rescheduled flights, etc., for team members. Then the longer-term issues include arranging days off for the guys at the track and schedules for testing, engine building, etc. All these areas get pushed to the limit.

To the teams that are prepared and that anticipate problems, it becomes a hiccup and not the end of the world. Let’s face it, all the teams have the capability of having plans in place. Now, whether they actually do and whether they know how to execute those plans is another story.