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Drivers praise NASCAR for open test at Lowe’s Motor Speedway
By JIM PEDLEYThe Kansas City Star
And it wasn’t just the chronic complainers who were turning up the volume.
A consensus was building among Sprint Cup competitors that something needed to be done about racing the new cars at intermediate tracks.
NASCAR responded by scheduling a previously unscheduled open test at the 1.5-mile Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. That two-day test concluded on Tuesday, and there seemed to be a new consensus: NASCAR did the right thing by adding the test.
Jeff Gordon, a four-time Sprint Cup champion and one of those who was critical of the new cars after earlier races, called the test “crucial” for his team.
The new cars were introduced in 2007. They raced 16 times, but 15 of those were on short tracks or road courses. The 16th race was at Talladega, a restrictor-plate track.
Intermediate ovals dominate the Sprint Cup schedule, and all in NASCAR knew that it would be at those places where the new cars would need to succeed.
Three of the first seven races in 2008 were at intermediates, and the results did not indicate success.
Races at Las Vegas, Atlanta and Texas produced yawns and wrecks as teams struggled with the new car.
Things came to a head at Texas, where Gordon’s team missed so badly on setup that he never had a chance at running with the leaders. The coup de grace for Gordon came just 110 laps in when he couldn’t keep his car under him and he slapped the wall.
“We haven’t had any time to test here,” Gordon said after the race. “This is a tricky racetrack. We have been very hit or miss here.”
Prior to the race, Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage had offered to open his track for a test. NASCAR passed on the offer.
After the race, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, offered his track for a test.
He felt it was especially needed because Lowe’s will be host to two of the series’ top races this month — the all-star race and the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend.
“This is the first year NASCAR’s new car is being used on the intermediate tracks and, with very limited testing and track time at the races, a lot of work remains to be done,” Wheeler said. “We must realize this new car is the biggest change in NASCAR since the cars were downsized in 1982, and we also went through a significant period of adjustment then.
“I have spoken with many drivers and crew chiefs about this car and, while there are differences of opinion on what to do, there is no question that more track time is needed.”
This time, NASCAR said yes.
On Monday, almost 50 cars crowded the garages at Lowe’s.
Drivers, for once, seemed united about something, and that was the decision to hold the test.
“It came last minute and I think all the teams welcomed it,” defending series champion Jimmie Johnson said. “It is so tough to get on-track time right now, especially at tracks that we compete at. You can go to Kentucky, you can go to Nashville and these other tracks, but if you aren’t on the real track, it is really tough to get anything to carry over and help the team.
“On top of that, to get tires and have the right tire to test with has been a very big struggle, too. This test was welcomed by everyone, and we are glad to be out here. I think it will help us advance the Car of Tomorrow on these bigger tracks and also put on a better show for the all-star and 600 weekends.”
NASCAR, often criticized for being intransigent, drew praise as well during the tests.
“I applaud NASCAR for adding this test,” driver Bobby Labonte said. “These intermediate tracks make up a large portion of our schedule, and unless you are a select number of teams, you could probably benefit from more track time. Sometimes NASCAR gets a bad rap about not listening to the teams and competitors. But this was a win for everyone.”
The track was open for testing both during days and nights, which is critical as the all-star race and the 600 are run under the lights.