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The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Cars were turned loose on the 2.66 mile Talladega Superspeedway on Wednesday, the first test of the new cars on a restrictor plate track.
While no lap times/speeds were recorded NASCAR officials said that “the new-look cars turned competitive laps while drafting and in single-car runs.”
“With a different car, we'll look at what it's going to take for [restrictor] plate size and some other things, but the main concern is how the cars draft, how they react in the draft, and obviously to get more one-on-one racing,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “All of the input that we have from the drivers and the teams so far has been pretty good.”
Seven teams, among the three manufacturers, took part in the test.
Chevrolet brought their 2013 SS model in a dazzle-type paint job because the final production car has not yet been introduced to the public. Teams included Richard Childress Racing's Jeff Burton, Hendrick Motorsports' Kasey Kahne and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Juan Pablo Montoya. Kahne also liked the appearance of the new car. “I think the cars are unique because they look different. They have a fresh look, and it resembles the manufacturer's car, which is great for the fans, who ought to be able to go out and buy a similar car.”
“NASCAR's working really hard to make them drive better and make the races more exciting,” Kahne added. “Right there, we had five or six of us out there and it was actually pretty dicey and pretty exciting. We're definitely going in the right direction and that's great from a drivers' standpoint because we're going to be able to race and pass more, and it's awesome from a fans' standpoint because they're going to get a much better show all the time.”
Ford Fusion's driven by Roush Fenway Racing's Ricky Stenhouse Jr. who will be making his move up to the Sprint Cup level, and Penske Racing's Sam Hornish Jr.
“It seemed pretty racy out there when we got in the seven-car packs,” said Stenhouse. “The two-car tandem could catch the group, then kind of stall out, and a single car could run right there with them.”
Toyota was represented by Joey Logano driving the 2013 Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing and Brian Vickers at the wheel for Michael Waltrip Racing.
The new car design will kick off the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season during Speedweeks next February at Daytona International Speedway with opening points event, the Daytona 500, on the 24th.
The six-hour test was extended by 30 minutes after morning fog delayed some teams' arrival.
While no lap times/speeds were recorded NASCAR officials said that “the new-look cars turned competitive laps while drafting and in single-car runs.”
“With a different car, we'll look at what it's going to take for [restrictor] plate size and some other things, but the main concern is how the cars draft, how they react in the draft, and obviously to get more one-on-one racing,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “All of the input that we have from the drivers and the teams so far has been pretty good.”
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| Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s numberless Ford leads Sam Hornish Jr. (12), Juan Pablo Montoya (42) and Brian Vickers (15) during drafting practice in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup car test at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images for NASCAR) |
Seven teams, among the three manufacturers, took part in the test.
Chevrolet brought their 2013 SS model in a dazzle-type paint job because the final production car has not yet been introduced to the public. Teams included Richard Childress Racing's Jeff Burton, Hendrick Motorsports' Kasey Kahne and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Juan Pablo Montoya. Kahne also liked the appearance of the new car. “I think the cars are unique because they look different. They have a fresh look, and it resembles the manufacturer's car, which is great for the fans, who ought to be able to go out and buy a similar car.”
 |
| Jeff Burton leads fellow Chevrolet driver Kasey Kahne during the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup car test at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images for NASCAR) |
“NASCAR's working really hard to make them drive better and make the races more exciting,” Kahne added. “Right there, we had five or six of us out there and it was actually pretty dicey and pretty exciting. We're definitely going in the right direction and that's great from a drivers' standpoint because we're going to be able to race and pass more, and it's awesome from a fans' standpoint because they're going to get a much better show all the time.”
Ford Fusion's driven by Roush Fenway Racing's Ricky Stenhouse Jr. who will be making his move up to the Sprint Cup level, and Penske Racing's Sam Hornish Jr.
“It seemed pretty racy out there when we got in the seven-car packs,” said Stenhouse. “The two-car tandem could catch the group, then kind of stall out, and a single car could run right there with them.”
 |
| Engineers and crew pore over data from the No. 15 Toyota from Michael Waltrip Racing during the NASCAR 2013 Sprint Cup Series car test at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images for NASCAR) |
Toyota was represented by Joey Logano driving the 2013 Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing and Brian Vickers at the wheel for Michael Waltrip Racing.
The new car design will kick off the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season during Speedweeks next February at Daytona International Speedway with opening points event, the Daytona 500, on the 24th.
The six-hour test was extended by 30 minutes after morning fog delayed some teams' arrival.
 |
| Brian Vickers puts the No. 15 Toyota Camry from Michael Waltrip Racing through its paces during the NASCAR 2013 Sprint Cup Series car test at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images for NASCAR) |