NASCAR's First Testing of 2016
By Richard Tix
No, you can't turn the TV and watch Cup cars race around the track doing 190+ MPH and yes, we are still in the heart of the offseason. However, just thought notion that a few drivers will be on a track, somewhere, is enough to help many with NOD (NASCAR Offseason Disorder: credit Annoying Race Fan).
Jan. 12 and 13th four teams will be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for a Goodyear tire test. Jimmie Johnson (HMS), Kurt Busch (SHR), Brad Keselowski (Team Penske), and Matt Kenseth (JGR) will all be participating in the test.
This testing is the very first of 2016 and the most recent testing since NASCAR tested in Miami before the end of 2015 (December). With NASCAR's new testing policy, this test time can become valuable to anyone who participates.
"Getting a new group of people together, working together in that environment is maybe the biggest thing that you can't duplicate before you get down to Daytona and maybe one of the bigger changes to work through," HMS GM Doug Duchardt said.
Not only do drivers, CC, and team members (new and old) get to gel, but it will also be extra time to work with the new low down force package for 2016 that is similar to that run a few times in 2015.
"The base package includes a 3.5-inch spoiler (decreased from 6 inches), a .25-inch leading edge (previously 2 inches) on the front splitter and a 33-inch wide splitter extension panel (radiator pan) replacing the current 38-inch pan.
Rear gear ratios will be adjusted to maintain 9,000 rpm maximum engine speed and a 1:38 third gear ratio will be in place for tracks under 1.25 miles.
The digital dash display will also be mandatory in the series this season." -NASCAR.com
So, four past NASCAR Champions will take to the track with no outside fans getting to watch, but just the thought of cars on the track help fans cope with the offseason. Fans might not be able to smell the burning rubber or the Sunoco Race Fuel, but they can imagine it while teams fine tune and test new approaches to this low down force package for 2016.
The new package will be a huge story line for the 2016 season so it will be interesting to hear how each driver reacts during the limited practice sessions. One thing is for sure, NASCAR is getting closer and closer to being back in Daytona to start the season.
No comments:
Post a Comment