Trustart Debate

[Jeff Stout]

Originally Posted by John Tabak

Slow Car has been "on" all weekend. In the final he goes .004 red, runs it out and is .012 safe on his number. Had he not staged a little dirty, he would have been almost unbeatable. Fast Car didn't notice Slow Car's red light as he was too busy trying to keep his car from stalling. It eventually does come up on the chip as he looks up to the tree and sees the top bulb light. In his flustered state he reacts to it, the car lurches forward, dies and rolls to a stop 30' out with a puddle forming underneath.
Later that night in the pits while celebrating Fast Car hears a rumor about something called Trustart and accuses Slow Car of wanting a Participant Trophy.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Seriously though, I think it all comes down to focus. The guy who can focus deeply enough to consistently hit the bottom bulb has probably already pretty much mastered mentally blocking out the visual distractions. I think our biggest potential distraction is inside the helmet.

Great story. I also agree the clean tree is inside the helmet. I've been slow and fast and have no problem with clean tree when being fast.

[John Tabak]

Thanks Jeff but that's not exactly what I said. I would say clean tree is an advantage and dirty tree requires more focus. With enough focus the advantage of the clean tree can be lessened or negated. I prefer to be the fast car as in my opinion being able to see the race/finish line is more advantageous than a clean tree.