2016 NASCAR Vegas Testing: Jan. 12-13

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.

NASCAR Team Spotlight: Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing 2014 Preview

By Richard Tix

Richard Childress Racing is pushing towards the future in 2014. The #3 is coming back to NASCAR, some like it, some hate it, it is what it is. What I still don't understand is why people hate Austin Dillon for it? Sure, hate Dillon because he is young and has been given a lot because of money, but Richard Childress decided to bring it back. He made the call, maybe Austin wanted the 3, but Childress made the final call. Now lets move on from my rant of the day. Dillon may become the ROY but will he prove he can win in Cup this year or will he have to be groomed in? Jeff Burton also half retired and left RCR. Ryan Newman will be taking his spot in 2014. The mainstay here is now Paul Menard

2013 Team Stats *Includes just current drivers (Newman and Dillon) Excludes Harvick and Burton

• Wins: 1
• Top 5: 9
• Top 10: 17

Paul Menard

• The only driver that was with RCR in 2013 on this list, Menard has another typical Menard season. He finished 20th in points, no wins, 3 top 5's, and 9 top 10's. I would guess 2014 will show the same results for Menard, not much to see here.

Ryan Newman

• Im sure RCR is hoping Newman will be a step up from Jeff Burton on the track. Burton was a great guy off the track but the last few years he had been falling off. Newman made the Chase again in 2013 with SHR and maybe a change in scenery will help him get back to his younger years.

Austin Dillon

• Not much Cup experience to take from Dillon, he also didn't have a win in 2013 in Nationwide. Dillon will have a lot to prove with a lot of pressure on him, which is mounting with every #3 fan out there who wants the number forever retired. During Preseason Thunder he did prove he can be fast in a car when no one is testing him, then again Danica did win the Pole last year...

Previous Team Spotlight: Michael Waltrip Racing

Daytona Preseason Thunder Day Two

By Richard Tix

NASCAR Behind the Wall's short photo article during Preseason Thunder.Rain delays held back Thursdays testing hopefully they have better luck today. Some photos will start from Thursday night and continue through the cars get on the track (hopefully!).

Cool photo to bring Preseason Thunder to a close for Cup

Jr and Letarte talk testing over

Dillon fast today (Friday Testing)

Danica with a fan

Danica in the garage

Kyle Larson

Jr Signing autographs

Harvick heading out to test

Kyle Busch's engine

More news coming from NASCAR

Sweet photo of BK and Rusty

Actually that's Rusty with a better time

The Biff ready for testing

Austin ready to go in the #3

Harvick taking pictures of Danica's rear end

Brad and Rusty

Waltrip and his KFC

Rusty in the car

Miller Lite men talking it over

Denny ready for 2014

News on Bowman

Harvick in car

Danica in car, in the garage

Kahne coming back in after finally out on the track

Gordon on the track!

Ricky ready for testing

Another shot of the 3

Rusty ready to get back in the saddle

Love this photo of JoLo and Rusty

Rustys helmet, pretty awesome

Kurt ready to go

Gordon back in after run #1

Kenseth ready to go

Kahne ready to go out

Photo from Chaz of Pit Road

Another one from Chaz. Thanks for sharing on Twitter Chaz!

Gordon, looking like "kind of a big deal"

Cars still covered up while track is drying

Kevin Harvick

The "Black" 3 back in the garage

Thanks for sharing Racing Daily!

Hoping to get on today, here is the latest NASCAR Schedule

Young Guns. Allgaier, Truex, Kligerman, Bowman

Kevin Harvick waiting it out

Here is one for JJ fans

Richard Childress out and about before testing

Kyle Larson taking questions on Twitter

BK's Test Miller Lite ride

Another shot

Austin Dillon taking Twitter questions

JJ talking Friday morning

Schedule for Friday testing if the rain stays away

Smokes test car, that Mark Martin is running

Little wet, but hopefully cars get on the track

Mark Martin Friday morning, who knows maybe going to work out

Kasey Kahne signing autographs Thursday night for fans in the rain

NASCAR Behind the Wall will update this article throughout the day with new photos from Preseason Thunder. Also, check out yesterdays Daytona Preseason Thunder article for Thursdays rain out photo's.