Jeff Gordon, the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports and a NASCAR Hall of Famer, expressed his bewilderment at the sensitivity of NASCAR’s Nex-Gen cars during a recent podcast of NASCAR Live.

The discussion centered around a minor incident that marred William Byron’s performance in New Hampshire, leaving Gordon puzzled by the car’s reaction. Gordon spoke about how William Byron and the #24 team’s day took a turn for the worse after a minor incident on pit road.

William Byron’s day took a devastating turn

The interview began with Mike Bagley welcoming Jeff Gordon back to NASCAR Live and discussing the bittersweet day at New Hampshire for Hendrick Motorsports. While Kyle Larson finished in the top five, it was a sad day for the team overall. Gordon acknowledged that New Hampshire has always been a challenging track due to its rough surface. Even during his driving days, the track posed numerous obstacles, and the same held for the current drivers.

“There were definitely a lot of challenges. You know, I felt like William and in the #24 team were doing a great job until they had the damage and the issue on Pitt Road, and you know, just unbelievable how you know sensitive these cars can be at times, and even though that looks like a really minor little incident and not much contact it.

“But it damaged the front splitter, and you know from that point on that their day was just a big struggle.” Gordon stated during the podcast.

Gordon mentioned that Hendrick Motorsports was hopeful about the tire test conducted by Chase Elliott, as they liked the tire Goodyear had chosen. However, upon returning to the race, the tire reacted differently for them and other teams. Gordon expressed disbelief at how such a seemingly insignificant incident could significantly impact the car’s performance.

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From that point on, Byron’s day became an uphill battle, while his teammates Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman also faced difficulties as they aimed to secure their spots in the playoffs.

Jeff Gordon sheds light on Nex-Gen Car’s high-stakes racing

Gordon emphasized that the Nex-Gen car, combined with the tight competition, has made every decision, call, and lap critical. Qualifying has become crucial, dictating pit stalls and track positions and setting the tone for the weekend. In this context, Bowman and his team have encountered difficulties, struggling to find the chemistry and rhythm they once had.

“It’s really hard to say with those guys because kind of similar they just they’ve struggled … qualifying has become so important with this car,” the 2001 Cup Series Champion added. 

Gordon suggested that being out of the car for a few weeks might have put the #48 team at a disadvantage compared to their competitors. He acknowledged that the complexities of the new car and the heightened competition make it difficult to pinpoint the exact causes of their struggles.

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Jeff Gordon’s interview shed light on the sensitivity of NASCAR’s Nex-Gen cars, with a minor incident on pit road negatively impacting Byron’s performance in Hampshire. The challenges of the track and the need for precise car handling were emphasized, while Gordon expressed optimism for upcoming races. However, the #5 car driven by Kyle Larson has shown consistent speed throughout the year, providing confidence for the team.