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How to master the bump-and-run: A helpful guide for drivers
By Steve Luvender | Published: October 26, 2018 12
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Your job, as a race car driver, is to finish in the best position possible. Who knew? The trouble, particularly at single-groove short tracks like Martinsville Speedway, is that at some point, a car gets stuck in front of you. It feels like you're faster, but you can't quite move past. What's a driver to do?
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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images
You've been stalking the car ahead for a few laps, but you don't want to sit here forever. Enter the bump-and-run, the weapon of choice for many of those who pass cars at short tracks. Here's how it's done.
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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
First, evaluate whether or not there's an opportunity to avoid the bump-and-run. While effective, it's probably safer to attempt a pass without contact first. Look for an open lane or friendly "go ahead, pal" hand gesture.
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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images
Send the driver ahead of you a few warning bumps. Let them know, "Hey, I'm here, and I want to pass!" Don't move the car out of the way yet. We'll get there. The bump-and-run, believe it or not, requires some patience.
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Next comes the fun part: the bump! All you need is an ever-so-light tap of the bumper to the car ahead, preferably while entering the corner. Is it dirty? Well, that's for everyone else to decide. Go ahead — give the bump. Your car has something called a bumper for a reason, after all.
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When you bump, bump — but not too hard. You don't want to send the car ahead spinning. We're here to bump-and-run, not dump-and-run. Don't open yourself up to the possibility of causing a caution or giving somebody a desire to retaliate. If you see smoke or a sideways car, you've gone too far. Look out!
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Oh, yeah, and don't overdrive the corner in all your bumping enthusiasm. Doing so will give the cars behind you an opportunity to pass, leaving you in no better standings.
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Anyway, assuming you bumped properly, the car ahead will move out of the way, just enough for you to slip past — but you’re not done yet. We're talking the "bump-and-run," not the "bump and hope for the best."
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
RUN. This is key. Don't leave yourself prey to the compulsive whims of a driver you've just upset. Get the heck out of there.
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Congratulations on your newfound track position! You've successfully executed the bump-and-run. Well, the on-track portion at least.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
You're not out of the woods yet. You've upset another driver by moving them out of the way, and they're going to find you when the race concludes. Make an excuse when confronted later. Never admit to intentionally bumping. Some favorite excuses include wheel hop, locked-up brakes, getting hit from behind, a tire going down, the car ahead slowed down sooner than expected — something along those lines. Whatever your excuse, stick with it. It wasn’t your fault! You'd never intentionally make contact with somebody else!
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Chris Trotman | Getty Images
If somebody tells you, "that bump-and-run was sick!" take it as a compliment. Nicely done, driver. You've mastered the art of the bump-and-run, and you're ready to tackle the "Paperclip."