Hendrick Motorsports Star Driver Slams NASCAR for Wasting Test Run

Postponed due to inclement weather, NASCAR’s new short-track package was scheduled to take place at Richmond following the conclusion of the Cook Out 400 Cup Series race. The two-day test event would see six drivers test out the new aero package on Monday, followed by a tire test on Tuesday.

Among the six drivers partaking in NASCAR’s Richmond test was William Byron, representing the Hendrick Motorsports stable. Having completed day one of testing, the HMS star had some choice words for NASCAR.

“It was much different”, William Byron slams NASCAR

Failing to appease drivers with a reformed short-track package this season, NASCAR went back to the drawing board. Having earlier focused on the rear spoiler and underbody, this time around the motorsport giant turned its attention toward the front fascia of the Next Gen car.

Fabricating a new front splitter (called the up/down splitter around the R&D facilities), NASCAR aimed to combat the dirty air problem faced by tailing drivers. The new aero package was also supposed to elevate the downforce generated, increasing grip in the front and improving short-track performance overall. Rolling into Richmond, NASCAR had high hopes for the new aero package, but the results were quite the opposite. Struggling with grip during the Cook Out 400 race event, William Byron found himself in a similar situation during the test.

Speaking to Bob Pockrass after the completion of day one testing, Bryon slammed NASCAR for wasting the test run. “It was hard to tell. I think we were all sliding around a lot. I felt pretty loose. I was loose the whole day but, I felt like initially when we put the changes on, it had similar grip to what we had yesterday, and then as we got closer to noon and the track started to heat up, you know, less grip than yesterday, similar lap time,” the #24 Hendrick Motorsports driver said.

He further added, “And then in traffic, everyone was really loose. I don’t know, we’ll have to see, hopefully get some other ideas for tomorrow, maybe try a spoiler, do some other options, and see, but I didn’t think it was much different.”

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While Byron shared his thoughts on the test, fellow test drivers also had similar views.

Not just the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevy, there are others who are disappointed by NASCAR’s Richmond test

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Apart from William Byron, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Preece, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell also participated in NASCAR’s Richmond test.

Speaking to Frontstretch after the Monday test event, Ryan Preece echoed Byron’s thoughts, saying, “For us, I think I couldn’t tell much of a difference from my car yesterday to today. So, not what we were all hoping for, but yeah, didn’t really feel much of a difference.”

Christopher Bell, too, joined the ‘disappointed squad’ after he was asked if he noticed any difference in lift during testing. Answering the question, the JGR driver said, “No, sorry. I mean, yeah I applaud NASCAR for trying. It’s cool but, I didn’t notice it.”

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With the new aero package seemingly a bust, what the Tuesday tire test entails remains to be seen.