Here’s What Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell Think Of NASCAR’s New Short Track Package
The reviews for the NASCAR Cup Series‘ updated short track package are in and it sounds like it still needs a little work.
The new setup uses an updated rear diffuser that reduces downforce at the front of the car and a larger rear spoiler designed to work better when the car is yawing in turns.
A new tire compound was also introduced at Phoenix Raceway that was engineered to “fall off” or lose grip sooner, making tire management a more important variable.
The changes were all intended to increase passing, and it did deliver the most overtakes at the track in the Next Gen car so far, but some drivers think there’s more work to be done.
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Prior to the race, pole-sitter Denny Hamlin said “the tire I think is the biggest gain that we’ve had over the weekend. Having a tire that is faster on the short run, falls-off more on the long run.”
Race-winner Christopher Bell, who is Hamlin’s teammate and made his way to the front from a 13th place qualifying position, said the car drove “different,” but that he’s not sure it made the racing better.
“I don’t think I drove any better in traffic, but it drove different, the car handled significantly different,” Bell said, adding that the new tires were good for him, bad for other people.
“The racing, in my eyes, probably wasn’t much different than what we’ve had in the past.”
One thing that didn’t change with the new package was power. The V8 engines are still restricted to 670 hp and Denny Hamlin thinks cranking that up to 750 hp would be a big improvement.
“Any horsepower you can add will make the racing better,” Hamlin said.
“It’s hard to pass because we’re all in the gas so much. So you have to get us out of the gas, either through the tire or the horsepower. That combination is what makes passing so difficult.”
The package will see its next test this Sunday, March 17, at Bristol Motor Speedway at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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