“That’s What We Are So Surprised About” – NASCAR Driver Noah Gragson Clueless After Testing at Richmond; Turns in Nothing

NASCAR’s testing for the new short-track package at Richmond Raceway had teams and fans filled with anticipation. However, the outcome was not what many expected. The Legacy Motor Club driver, Noah Gragson, and other teams participating in the test seemed surprised by the results.

Despite introducing a new ‘lift splitter’ and exploring various aerodynamic changes, the drivers reported no significant difference from their previous setups.

After the aero runs on Monday, the focus shifted to new tires on Tuesday. NASCAR had brought some new softer and thicker tire compounds for testing. The results after running the new tires seem to be positive after almost everyone gave positive feedback on the new compound.

Noah Gragson and the team left surprised after the first day of testing

Testing at Richmond Raceway aimed to gauge the impact of a new splitter on the racing dynamics on the short tracks. The expectations were high, given the positive data from computer modeling and wind tunnel sessions. However, following group runs on Monday, Noah Gragson, like the other drivers, was puzzled by the results. He remarked that he couldn’t feel any significant difference from the previous setups. Despite the disappointment, Gragson remains hopeful that more testing will lead to finding improvements, especially when navigating through traffic.

Bob Pockrass shared a tweet from FOX Sports where Noah Gragson is talking about his experience after the testing. When asked if he felt any difference in regard to the lift on his car, Gragson replied, “No! That’s what we’re so surprised about is, it showed in all the aero data that the leading car would have lift with the packages mostly that we ran yesterday and the first half of today. But if you wouldn’t have told me that we have made the changes, I wouldn’t have even known from Sunday to Monday at all.”

“They still drove good, and felt the same by ourselves, just trying to get’em better in traffic is the main goal, I don’t know if we really hit on it yet. We need to try more stuff.”

Bob also shared photographs of the new 4-inch spoiler and the no-diffuser setup that the cars ran on a group run on Monday.

“The 4-inch spoiler instead of 2-inch spoiler increases downforce but no diffuser underneath car means less downforce. This afternoon group runs will see if this change makes a difference.”

“No diffuser and 4-inch spoiler part of the test. Drivers will do a group run soon.”

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While the aero testing didn’t yield the desired outcomes, drivers were more optimistic about the new tire options explored on the second day of testing.

Drivers are impressed with the performance of the new tires NASCAR brought for the test

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NASCAR competition officials focused on softer compounds and tire construction to enhance grip and fall-off. The drivers’ feedback on the new tires was positive, with many feeling they could push their cars harder. The modified tire provided a sense of security on entry, making it easier to control the car, particularly in corners. Overall, the changes in tire specifications received favorable responses from the drivers.

Referring to Ryan Preece’s question about the tires, the reporter asked Gragson, “Preece was saying yesterday that you guys kinda needed the tires to lean on a little bit. Do you agree with that? Do you feel you got some of that today?”

“No, we definitely got that today with the little bit thicker treaded tire,” Gragson replied. “It’s not treaded but the thickness of the tire definitely got the security on entry. The tire that they came with today, thicker treaded tire I’ve been calling it, was a lot better. I thought our balance shift from beginning to end of the run. That was a lot better. It didn’t change 5 or 6 out of 10 number from beginning to end like the prior tire was. So I thought that that was a big gain. Really the tire was the biggest thing that we hit on this weekend.”

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After much deliberation, NASCAR has decided to run the new short track and road course package at the Indianapolis Road Course in August. What are your thoughts on the testing results? Let us know in the comments.