By the numbers, Ford’s fortunes through the first 10 races of the 2004 Nextel Cup season aren’t much different from the start of its frustrating 2003 season. That’s a bad place to look, said Greg Specht, Ford Racing of North America’s operations manager. In this case, Specht said the numbers are fibbing a bit. He said they are not indicative of the way the Tauruses are performing. ÃÂÃÂOverall,ÃÂÃÂ Specht said, ÃÂÃÂI’m pleased and I’m optimistic.ÃÂÃÂ A year ago at this time, three Ford drivers were in the top 10 in points ÃÂÃÂ leader Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Elliott Sadler. Between them, they had three victories and four DNFs ÃÂÃÂ races they failed to finish. This year, there are again three Ford drivers in the top 10 ÃÂÃÂ the same three drivers. They have a total of four victories and just two DNFs. Improvement in the Fords is most evident, they say, on bigger tracks such as Daytona International Speedway in Florida and Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. Those are the tracks where the aerodynamic shortcomings of the past appear to have been reduced. The 2004 Fords have subtly changed their noses and tails. The most noticeable change is on the grille opening, which has gone from oval to a more rectangular shape. It’s a subtle change, but an apparently effective one. Ford picked up a victory at a superspeedway when Elliott Sadler won at Talladega. And there have been Fords on the poles at both superspeedwaysÃÂÃÂ Greg Biffle at Daytona and Ricky Rudd at Talladega. In addition, Sadler started alongside Biffle on the front row at Daytona. There is major optimism in the Ford camp when it comes to engine power. Though there have been some mechanical problems, the collaboration of Robert Yates Racing and Roush Racing in building engines has been a success, Specht said. Engines built in the new Yates-Roush engine shop have won four of the first 10 races. More good news is in the pipeline ÃÂÃÂ though that pipeline appears to be longer than had been hoped. NASCAR granted Ford teams use of a new piston [cylinder] head late last year. It was hoped that the head would be attached to the engines a couple of weeks ago, but it is still in the testing stage. Specht says the philosophy has been to not rush the new piston heads into use.(Kansas City Star)(5-7-2004)
