In the Daytona 500, teams plan to go 50-plus laps during a fuel run without a tire change. Even on relatively new tires, Gordon said he noticed a push in his car and in the other Chevrolets. He wasn't sure, but he said he didn't see the Fords pushing. One feature of the Fords is their new nose cone. The headlight areas are flattened, providing for better front downforce, which reduces push.
Speed goes out the window.
If you can't hold it right down, it doesn't matter how much horsepower you have. What that means is that the Chevys might be able to draft even with the Fords for 25 laps or so, but that the Fords will gain as the Chevrolets develop the push. A crewman for Mark Martin's team was slightly injured during the pit stops. Mike Ehret, the jackman, was struck by Martin's car, rolling up over the hood. He was found to have a contusion on his right ankle and was released from the infield care center.