While most drivers are spending time away from the sport to recharge their batteries, Martin Truex Jr is clocking in some laps. Not on the standardized cars though, as he is in for testing a model of the 2022 Next Gen car at the Charlotte Roval.
Truex Jr had undergone a testing on Monday, and was pleased with what the car had to offer. Kurt Busch had also joined him at the venue, ahead of delivering feedback about what worked and what did not.
Speaking in a brief interview, Truex Jr revealed one standout aspect that was different from their existing Cup Series cars. And he felt that there was an adaptation process which was needed to drive the Next Gen model.
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Martin Truex Jr believes the sequential gearbox “jumps out” for him
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was quoted as saying, “I think there’s a lot of differences. But I guess the biggest thing that jumps out for me is shifting, you know the sequential gearbox.”
“The sequential shift was a big change, you know definitely something you have to remind yourself. Very impressed with how it works, very efficient. We ran I think 150 miles or so and had no issues there. That’s probably the biggest thing that stuck out for me.”
ICYMI: @MartinTruex_Jr joined @DanielleTrotta & @LarryMac28 earlier today and shared some thoughts on the Next Gen car from the test at @CLTMotorSpdwy #SXMOnTrack pic.twitter.com/ZkoH8AX4zU
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) November 18, 2020
Truex Jr was also asked about how the gearbox shifting then impacts drivers during the races. And whether it is still possible to miss a shift whilst navigating through it, especially at road courses.
“Well I think there’s still potential for that. You know typically in the past, we ran the biggest problems especially on the road courses, going from third down to second when you’re supposed to go third to fourth or trying to go to second from third accidentally going for first.” stated Truex Jr.
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The 2017 Cup Series champion believes that extra focus will be needed on the gearbox
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Truex Jr continued to stress on the earlier fact and said, “That’s still going to happen if you have a mental breakdown and push the shift through to the wrong way at the wrong time, you could be in trouble.”
“As far as getting between gears it’s probably not gonna happen just because it is pretty quick. Little bit different, but still potential for error.”
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The Next Gen cars were supposed to be rolled out for 2021 itself. But owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the instatement had to be shifted and will now commence from the 2022 season onwards.