JohnnyO
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Jon
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2021
- Threads
- 23
- Messages
- 1,969
- Reaction score
- 6,143
- Location
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Ranger STX 4x4
- Occupation
- Asst. Greenskeeper, Bushwood Country Club
I dug out my old Mark Martin sunshade since the color matches my new truck. I also have a used Mark Martin race tire as a base for the glass topped coffee table in my family room.Hi Johnny,
Okay....I worked quite closely with Roush in NASCAR when I was involved in a unique chassis and had experience with one of their crewchiefs for their Truck program. Roush is in it for the money, winning is tier 2 or 3.... I had the pleasure of working with Mark Martin directly. A Great Guy and a excellent racer... We were at Phoenix with this "trick chassis" that my engineers optimized. We took about 250 lbs out of the chassis and stiffened it about 3 times using optimization software that was in development in Scientific Research at Ford. Mark had ideas of how to set up the chassis, and we spent some time discussing as I disagreed. Mark listened and we made some changes...not what they needed IMO, but directionally correct. So the green flag waved and the crewchief and I were locked together for the race. There was a half time for this show back in the day and Crewchief and I were pleased with the truck...Mark was in 4th...but we knew he was the fasted truck on the oval. We wanted to leave the truck alone but Mark dictated a round of bite in the right rear...Not needed as it turned out. Restart and checkered flag...Mark was 2nd but with a bump he would have won...(maybe)... Crewchief was pissed as we could have won.... Mark got out of the truck and headed to me at pit wall. Looking me straight in the eye...he said...If my Cup car was half as good as this Truck chassis, I would win tomorrow. He said he did not know what I did but what ever it was was amazing.... Short story, the news leaked out from the team of the chassis, and NASCAR banned it.... A one race wonder.... I went on to be team engineer for a while but quit as it is a grind...see the track...see the motel room...see the track...see the transporter..see the next track and repeat the process. Most Track food is awful, but that is what we ate... Jack did not care as long as there were $ coming in....
Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired
Sponsored


