NASCAR is dedicated to enhancing the quality of racing for the Next Gen car on shorter tracks and road courses. To achieve this, the organization plans to test new aero packages that have been developed around a freshly designed splitter. Six drivers, namely Christopher Bell, Harrison Burton, William Byron, Justin Haley, Ryan Preece, and Erik Jones, have been selected to participate in the test, which will take place on Monday and Tuesday. Additionally, representatives from Goodyear, a tire company, will be present during the test.
Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President of Competition, expressed his thoughts on the current state of short-track racing. While acknowledging that there have been some exciting races, he admitted that they have not consistently reached the level expected by NASCAR and its fans. To address this issue, NASCAR’s aero team, led by Dr. Eric Jacuzzi at the R&D Center, has been diligently working in the wind tunnel. Their goal is to develop a highly effective package that will result in thrilling racing on short tracks. The proposed package will be tested at New Hampshire, and the information gathered will be utilized in the 2024 season. However, further on-track testing during the offseason is likely, even if the initial results are promising.
Earlier this year, NASCAR made alterations to its short track and road course aero package following a test in January at Phoenix. The changes included the addition of a two-inch rear spoiler and various modifications to the car’s underbody. Unfortunately, the short track races held at Richmond and Martinsville in Virginia did not exhibit significant improvement compared to the previous season.
Sawyer explained that the upcoming test will focus on the car’s front splitter, with Goodyear’s involvement aiming to explore potential tire construction and compound changes. He emphasized the critical role of the car’s underbody in generating downforce, as opposed to previous years when most of it was created by airflow over the top of the car. Achieving optimal racing performance requires collaboration between the car and the tire, and NASCAR is committed to refining the package until the desired outcome is achieved.
Driver Perspectives on the Test and Downforce Reduction
Christopher Bell, who drives the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, shared his expectations for the upcoming test. He believes that the primary objective is to improve the handling of the cars in traffic. At the beginning of the year, NASCAR introduced significant downforce reduction, a change that Bell initially supported. However, after observing several races, he is unsure if it has made a substantial difference. Despite his initial optimism, Bell is uncertain about the potential outcomes of the test scheduled for Monday.
NASCAR is determined to elevate the quality of racing on shorter tracks and road courses for the Next Gen car. The organization plans to test new aero packages centered around a redesigned splitter, with a focus on enhancing the car’s front splitter and exploring potential tire changes. The gathered information will be utilized in the 2024 season, and further testing is anticipated during the offseason. The objective is to create an ideal racing package that delivers the level of excitement expected by NASCAR and its fans.
Leave a Reply