Crew chief Eddie Pardue answers your questions

ESPN.com's NASCAR Icons took some readers' questions and went to Roush Fenway Racing's Nationwide series crew chief Eddie Pardue for the answers.

Pardue, 39, is the crew chief for the No. 16 Ford, which has been driven by Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray and Colin Braun in the Nationwide series this season.

Pardue has been working in NASCAR since 1993. Before becoming a crew chief, the Virginia native served as a shock specialist and spotter.

You can also hear Pardue during ABC's coverage of the Camping World RV Sales 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday [3 p.m. ET start] when Biffle will be the in-race reporter.

Here are your questions and Pardue's answers:

How difficult is it to switch between different drivers throughout the year (Biffle/McMurray/Braun)? Are there any plans of moving Erik Darnell or Braun into full time Nationwide rides soon?
Melissa
Salinas, Calif.

Pardue: Biffle, McMurray and Braun are all great drivers to work with. They all require similar setups and the only difference is the fine tuning of the race cars' balance.

It is not difficult, but it is challenging.

Braun and Darnell are having good seasons in the truck series and I am sure with their continued success they both will make it to the Nationwide series full time.

Why have many wedge, track bar, and spring rubber adjustments during the race moved from the right rear of the car to the left in recent years?
Ed Dolph,
Austin, Texas

Pardue: The LR adjustments are just as effective so each crew chief is looking to keep and gain track position. With pit stops as important as ever, the wedge adjustments are sometimes done in the LR to help speed up the pit stops.

In 2008 tire changers are not allowed to roll tires so now the tire carriers have to bring the tires back to the wall and this does not leave as much time to get the adjustments done on the right side.

A lot of this depends on other factors as well: How much adjustment do the drivers need? Does the gas man have time? Will it take two cans of fuel? Two- or four-tire change?

I am looking to progress my racing knowledge. I am about to graduate with an engineering degree. I have read a few books and work on a few low-level race cars through school and the summer. Setup is what I have no idea how to do. What approach would you advise I take in learning how to actually read my tire data and apply it to making a good change for the driver? Keep in mind, my knowledge is limited, but only because the challenge of attaining it.
Kreg Martin,
Long Beach, Calif.

Pardue: Documenting the tire data along with driver comments will go a long way.

Tire wear, pressures hot and cold, temperatures and size are all important and should not be overlooked.

Without simulation, testing and data acquisition it may seem like trial and error but keeping good notes will help.

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