I haven't been able to check, yet -- didn't even think of it until I made it back to Pittsburgh, and the car was at the shop. I have strut tower braces (though the verdict is still out on those, I know) and one already slightly mushroomed tower. I'll be curious to see . . .

 

As I think most any wheel would have.

Dean.

 

^^ most likely, yes.

Picked up the car and consensus among the techs was that someone was looking out for me -- none of them could figure out what kept the wheel on the rim after impact, let alone 15-20 miles of driving. Have the old rim, will hang on garage wall.

 

That rim will make a nice hose reel.

 

there is a difference between lightweight and strong (but expensive) and just lightweight and not so durable (but cheap). situations like these also make me glad that I run 16's.

in a bad case like this one though, I doubt any wheel would have survived unscathed.

 

ASA rims don't seem to be particularly resilient to bending. I personally know of a few people using them on other cars that have had them bend rather easily due to unexpected road encounters.

 

Now, I like that term!

Must make note to self...next time I hit something on the track and crew asks what happened...