Ever wonder why '90s NASCAR drivers sounded like they were holding their breath during qualifying? It wasn't just the pressure of the race; it was the cars themselves! Back in the day, before regulations reigned supreme, NASCAR had its own version of a 'lowrider' – cars with a dramatically lowered rear end, especially noticeable at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega.
Three-time Cup champion crew chief Ray Evernham revealed that the rear of Jeff Gordon's pole-winning car in the 1999 Daytona 500 sat a whopping seven inches lower than the front. Dale Earnhardt Jr. chimed in, mentioning how teams were building cars with extreme angles to achieve this effect.
Veteran crew chief and broadcaster Larry McReynolds was a master of this technique, using altered shock absorbers to create the lowrider look. He recalled how the cars were held down so tightly that drivers' voices would quiver on the radio, unable to read their gauges due to the harsh bouncing.
And this is the part most people miss... the lowrider effect wasn't just about looks; it was about speed. The harsher the ride, the faster the car, according to McReynolds. Former crew chief Robin Pemberton shared a humorous anecdote about shocks they called 'super-duper double down driver killers.'
Initially, NASCAR considered banning these lowrider shocks. But, here's where it gets controversial: policing the shocks proved too difficult. So, the sanctioning body decided to let the lowrider effect continue for a while.
Another key element was pairing specific shocks with soft rear springs. This often made the car appear to be riding on its tailpipes, only to pop back into position when it hit the track. Pemberton even shared a funny memory of how the cars would appear to be low and suddenly pop back into position.
Ultimately, NASCAR did regulate the shocks, starting with the 2000 Daytona 500, providing teams with standardized shocks. But this decision was not universally loved. Dale Earnhardt famously quipped that the racing had become 'sorriest,' taking the skill out of the drivers' and crew's hands. The 2000 Daytona 500, with only nine lead changes, is still remembered as one of the least exciting races.
Interestingly, the superspeedway shocks system remained in place for another 17 years, even though the rake wasn't as extreme as it had been.
What do you think? Do you agree with Earnhardt's criticism of the standardized shocks, or do you believe they improved the fairness of the sport? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
