Kyle Larson’s Crew Chief Reveals “Wild” Measures Hendrick Motorsports Had to Take for Chicago Street Course

Chicago Speedway, unlike other NASCAR tracks, remains a mystery to most. Saturday morning will see cars revving up their engines to secure a historical moment as drivers will take to the streets for the first time. Until then teams are diligently working on their strategies, aware that this track will test the skills of even the most experienced drivers. Hendrick Motorsports is down to the brass tacks, collecting their final notes just days before the race.

The primary reason for the track’s difficulty lies in its sharp turns, which force drivers to quickly transition from high speeds of around 180 mph to a mere 40 mph. Additionally, the presence of bumps and an uneven surface adds an extra layer of complexity. To say the least, Kyle Larson’s crew chief has done his due diligence.

Cliff Daniels unveiled “wild” and “unbelievable” developments to shape their strategy

Following Kyle Larson’s return to the Late Model Stock Car at Caraway Speedway in North Carolina after a decade, his focus has now shifted to the upcoming historic street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday afternoon. With every driver busy formulating strategies for this challenging race course, iRacing has allowed drivers and teams to virtually race on tracks to gain an understanding of the actual circuit. During a podcast interview on MRN Crew Call, the crew chief shed light on this technology, stating,

“This is just wild. As soon as got into Nascar, a lot of the software folks brought this about. But, Todd, there is a huge piece where we prepare for the races using the drive-in-a-loop simulator we call the DIL.”

Cliff continued, “Yesterday, Kyle and I were in DIL, and he is driving the history course of Chicago—all wonderings of the city, the catch fence, the walls, the barriers, the breaking markers. And we were dissecting this place as if it’s a real track as we’re on right now today. We’re analyzing the bumps, analyzing this and that.

“So the technology behind what has brought that about is remarkable. I mean, [it] is unbelievable. The track surface or street surface can be understood,” Larson’s Crew chief concluded.

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Role in shaping Kyle Larson’s mindset for the unpredictability that awaits the Chicago Street Race

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Kyle Larson, known for his versatility in various forms of motorsports racing, is set to make his debut in IndyCar. Larson’s presence in a car prepared by JR Motorsports resulted in an eighth-place finish on Wednesday, which helped him establish the right mindset heading into the upcoming race in Chicago. Reflecting on the changes in Late Model Cars over the years, Larson expressed his surprise and enjoyment, stating,

“It was honestly much more fun than I was expecting. The cars were much quicker than what I remembered them being. Obviously, I would have liked to have done a little better, but I’m not a short-track racer. This style of racing has been difficult for me, and it showed against the guys who do this for a living.

“I figured if I got to eighth, I’d be good, and we got to eighth,” the HMS pilot said. With the countdown just a few hours away, fans and competitors alike eagerly anticipate the excitement that awaits them for an eye-opener.

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