Noah Gragson & SHR Member Surprisingly Vouch for Tony Stewart’s $12.75-Billion Valued NASCAR Nemesis

Since its nascent stages, NASCAR has been indefatigable in its quest to inject adrenaline and captivate its audience with exhilarating spectacles. This mission has spurred sweeping changes in the Cup Series format, from subtle modifications like introducing resins on the track to major ones like car alterations, the unveiling of short-track testing packages, and a host of other initiatives.

The ripples of these experiments inevitably influence the drivers’ side of the equation, as corroborated by their testimonies. Yet, during the recent endeavor to augment its short-track and road-course racing package via a two-day rigorous trial, the feedback from the cockpit was less than enthusiastic. The drivers all agreed that the test results were below par, with the exception of the brand-new tires.

Now, a crew member from Stewart-Haas Racing has stepped into the fray, adding their voice to the chorus of reviews emanating from the drivers of the five teams that participated in the test run.

Insights from Tony Stewart’s teammate regarding the short-track package test run

In a line-up of six teams stepping up to the plate to test the newly-introduced short-track package, all eyes were riveted on the overhauled front splitter. The ultimate goal was to mitigate the detrimental effects of polluted air and establish an aerodynamic equilibrium among the racing fleet. As the new week dawned, the teams assembled at Richmond Raceway, raring to unravel the mysteries of an innovative splitter, aerodynamic advancements, and a fresh set of Goodyear tire compounds. This was all part of the blueprint for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series regulations on short tracks and road courses.

According to nascar.com, after Monday’s sessions, Dr Eric Jacuzzi acknowledged that the driver feedback indicated the modifications weren’t entirely up to the desired level. This sparked a revision in the strategic plan for the following day.

The subsequent day saw the test-run saga continue at the 0.75-mile circuit, with drivers from all six teams set to put the new front splitter and tires through their paces. Despite Monday’s efforts, the aerodynamics evaluation did not receive stellar reviews, as the drivers were not convinced that the updated front splitter made a marked difference to the car’s overall performance. However, the feedback regarding the second day’s tire testing was more positive.

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Emphasizing the tire’s improved performance, Noah Gragson stated, “That thicker-treaded tire, I’ve been calling it, was a lot better. I thought our balance shift from the beginning to the end of the run was a lot better. It didn’t change five or six out of 10 numbers from the beginning to the end like the prior tire was, so I thought that was a big gain. Really, the tire was the biggest thing that we hit on this weekend.”

The latest in the line of feedback is from a crew member from Tony Stewart’s team, who expressed appreciation for the new tires from Goodyear, albeit mixed with disappointment over the splitter testing. SHR crew chief Chad Johnston said, “They put a splitter on the front panel that they had removed. The aero package we ran today, I would say, looked kind of the same as yesterday; not a lot there. But they ran some different tires, which definitely once set showed some progress as far as the feel for the drivers, so direction, I think, it’s the right direction. Work to do on that, I think. But it definitely gave the drivers the feel that they want from a combined tire standpoint.”

While the union of Tony Stewart and Goodyear, a titan valued at $12.75 billion, currently resembles a harmonious symphony, their history isn’t as serene. There was a time when Goodyear and Tony Stewart locked horns in what turned into the grandest squabble of 2008. However, proving that every cloud has a silver lining, this once-strained relationship has healed. In fact, today, the tire giant receives plaudits from Stewart’s own crew, embodying the age-old adage – all’s well that ends well.

Upon perusing the test run results, a seasoned driver from the JGR team also offered his insights on possible enhancements to improve the short-track package.

Denny Hamlin’s proposition to revamp the short-track racing package effectively

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Following the spread of the news that the short-track package test run had fallen short of expectations, Kelly Candrall, a prominent writer for Racemag, brought to light some backstage whispers about the drivers’ experience with the novel package on Twitter. She asserted that the drivers barely noticed any substantial changes, deeming the tweaks insufficient.

This revelation drew the attention of Denny Hamlin, who swiftly contributed his perspective on refining the new configurations. He proposed a three-pronged approach to bolster the performance of the current models. His tweet read as follows:

“1. Add 100 hp (engine guys said we could do it quickly)

2. Get rid of shifting

3. Make the tires wear out (not just lose grip because of heat)

Aero just isn’t likely the fix when we are at slower speeds like short tracks.”

Given that NASCAR’s recent adjustments (excluding tires) have largely missed the mark, it will certainly be captivating to observe what other innovative strategies NASCAR will implement to take short-track racing up a notch.

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