[Zeke]

Jeff has the point here, and yes, Curt, it probably "can be done." We don't know the full story, but the car most certainly would have been a handful even at 20MPH on virgin snow. Even modulating power would be nearly impossible. So, methinks some of the other vehicles made some laps first, or at least led the way, which would be a protocol of security anyway. I have driven on slicks in the rain and I don't see how anyone does it during a race except that I had no downforce and the ones I have seen do this are F1 and the like.

But, you have to attain a certain speed to take advantage of the downforce. A delicate balance, indeed.