Wednesday, October 27th "What If" Question

Racing at Martinsville doesn't bring to mind the concerns of aerodynamics. The paperclip in Virginia is hard on both equipment and drivers because at the end of the day 43 cars will look like they just met Mike Tyson. Bent bumpers and torn fenders make racing at Martinsville fun, a driver can abuse their car yet still know they'll be in contention at the end.

This past weekend in the TUMS Fast Relief 500 it was Mark Martin who learned that lesson. Earlier on Martin was backwards into the Martinsville wall which crushed his back bumper and spoiler. The No. 5 team did their best to repair the damage and sent Martin back out without a back bumper and his spoiler now sitting much higher than it normally does.

The result was speed. Over the final few laps Martin gained 16 positions and finished second to race winner Denny Hamlin. It was his best finish of the 2010 season. It was unexpected for Martin after saying his brakes were failing early in the race, then spinning and losing a lap, but it was still fun.

But ...

What if Mark Martin didn't wreck on Sunday at Martinsville, pushing his spoiler higher into the air. Would he still have finished second?

@kartracer3886 No clue. But isnt it weird that when u wreck the COT sometimes it gets better lol.

@mbauerherzog No, I think the redirection of air from how his car was gave him more speed than if it would have been like the others.

@MisanAkuya Maybe. He got an advantage no doubt but it's Mark Martin he's one if the best. I meant is not

@14Patti14 probably not. but what can you do? that's the nature of the beast.

@Spacie_Stacie he would have won, we all know this!

@EdBoundy NO

@StrokerAce90 Wow, thats a good one! Lugs Harvey says Yes! Mark Martin was on a mission while them Nascar Chasers were driving defensively.

@dougthethird Nope. Not even close.

@Racergirl83 He is a good driver and yes I still think he would have came in second. He had a good car and he was having fun.

@NancyatStudioN No, it gave him an advantage BUT it wasn't illegal b/c he & his team didn't do it