debwill Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 For Immediate Release NASCAR CAR OF TOMORROW TEST AT MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY Latest field to-date participates in final fine-tuning session BROOKLYN, Mich. (Aug. 21, 2006) – As NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow project nears its developmental completion, Monday’s latest test at Michigan International Speedway represented an important barometer – final tweaks before the car’s March 2007 introduction. Teams from Hendrick Motorsports (Jeff Gordon), Michael Waltrip Racing (Michael Waltrip), Roush Racing (Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth), Penske Racing (Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman), Haas Racing (Jeff Green), Bill Davis Racing (Dave Blaney), Evernham Motorsports (Scott Riggs), Joe Gibbs Racing (Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley), Chip Ganassi (David Stremme), Team Red Bull (Bill Elliott) and MB2 Motorsports (Joe Nemechek) participated in Monday’s test, which began with on-track activity at noon EDT and was scheduled to end at approximately 6 p.m. “The more we run the car, the more we know, and that’s exactly why NASCAR has us here today,” said 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Kurt Busch. Monday represented the first time Busch and two other former series champions – Kenseth and Gordon – had participated in a Car of Tomorrow test. Fourteen drivers from 11 teams unloaded cars Monday morning. All participated in single-car runs from noon until 3 p.m., followed by group runs during the afternoon session. “It’s about as good as could be expected,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition. “We’ve got a lot of new teams here this time around, or new drivers anyway, just getting their single-car runs in and trying to shake it down.” Also significant: The first participation by Toyota, which will make its NASCAR NEXTEL Cup debut in 2007. Three Toyota teams – Michael Waltrip Racing, Bill Davis Racing and Team Red Bull – participated Monday, representing the first on-track milestone for the sport’s newest manufacturer. “To be a part of the process of helping develop this car and contribute to the future of NASCAR is pretty exciting to me personally,” said Lee White, senior vice president and general manager of Toyota Racing Development. “And I think very exciting for our company and the teams that are here and the drivers. I think everybody is really enjoying it.” Monday’s session focused on honing aerodynamics and other balancing and handling components – setting up cars for maximum individual performance, then transferring knowledge and feedback to the afternoon group runs. “All the rules and regulations are out there,” Pemberton said of the Car of Tomorrow’s final design. “We’re just fine-tuning on some of the smaller details now, taking the feedback from the teams and trying to make them easier to build. You know, we’re ready to go.” Both Busch and Gordon were encouraged by what they experienced in Monday’s individual session. The Car of Tomorrow features two obvious changes on its body – a rear wing instead of a traditional spoiler and a “splitter” just under the front air dam that catches air. 2-2-2-2 NASCAR CAR OF TOMORROW TEST – MICHIGAN “It doesn’t drive bad,” Gordon said. “This is my first time with the car and I think this is the first time it’s been on a track this big, as far as an unrestricted track. By itself, the car drives pretty good.” “It’s fairly comparable to what we have now,” Busch said. “It’s not anything like a night-and-day difference. It’s real close. It’s just a matter, again, of working with the front end to try to get that splitter real close to the ground.” Gordon also noted a positive about the Car of Tomorrow’s future reaction in traffic. “You’re going to get in behind another car and you’re going to push, and it’s going to draft good,” he added. “The thing should suck up really good down the straightaways, but we’ll see. My car is a little bit too tight right now because it’s the first time for us. We’re being a little bit conservative and creeping up a little bit, but we probably need a little more time. We’re going to make some adjustments and hopefully, we got it where it needs to be.” The Car of Tomorrow is the culmination of a five-year design program by NASCAR’s Research and Development Center. Its next test is tentatively scheduled for this fall at Talladega Superspeedway. The new car’s primary components are safety innovations, performance and competition and cost efficiency for teams. The new car will begin competition in 2007 at the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway and will race at 16 different events next season. The 2008 Car of Tomorrow implementation schedule includes 26 events. Teams will run the entire 2009 schedule with the Car of Tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bigfat Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 I don't like it. Too small and aero dynamic. Probably doesn't even have a 116 inch wheel base. Yuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kn1ghtblade Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Man that looks like something from Grand Tourismo Video game not a nextel cup car.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 im with you big its ugly and now will be nascar iroc . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Definitive Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Man am I glad I didn't just start watching NA$CAR.I at least have memories from 74......Good luck to NA$CAR.I sure hope they know what they are doing this time.They have been right almost everytime so far.Is this the big toe stubbing they are due?By the looks of it,this will be an expensive sore toe......or maybe a gold mine?Who knows?Hopefully the later. I'm trying to picture the front air dams after 20 laps at Bristol....piled up in the infield maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProTree Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 in that pic, it does have the so called "RICE" look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arts22 Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 I'm trying to picture the front air dams after 20 laps at Bristol....piled up in the infield maybe? TD, The front air dams are almost indentical to the trucks.... BIG, These cars are suppost to be alot bigger than the current cup cars..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Definitive Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Look again ARTS,that is a type of wing down their not a solid box like the trucks.It is supported by thin posts,and the bottom of the wing is paper thin. It definately gives the cars a more high tech look.Maybe they will produce closer racing as well as attract fans from other series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebelracewriter Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Two words..........IT SUCKS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProTree Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 like I said Reb,it looks "Rice",with Toyota coming in,it will appeal to the new import fans coming into Cup,they like the WINGS and THINGS,just need to add the undercarriage lites for the nite races. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebelracewriter Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 just need to add the undercarriage lites for the nite races. LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Don't give them any more "bright" ideas Tommy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHolt Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Michael Waltrip tests a Toyota Camry during Car of Tomorrow testing at Michigan International Speedway on Monday. (Photo Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images for NASCAR) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.j.&s.racing Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 looks like a race car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poorboy Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 i think they want to get enough down force on them so maybe Danica could drive one. Heck maybe even Mikey Waltrip could drive one then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REBELRACER Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 it looks like it has an overbite.........it wouldnt look too bad if they would do away with the wing, the wing makes it look too much like a rice burner....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGS Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 It looks very euro (aka. crud). One more effort to make us all the same. I hope they wise up but I'm sure they have to much money invested to do so. At least we still have local short track racing, which is were it is at as far as I'm concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw #03 Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 It looks like an SCCA car mixed with a Drifter car. It better attract the RICE BURNER fans because it defiantly is not a "Stock car" and my guess is Stock Car racing fans will probably not watch I know I won't. I have no desire to watch SCCA cars @ Dega!!!!!!! Although watching them "Drift" around Bristol might be fun.... LOL!! If Dale were still here this crap wouldn't be happening!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam78 Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 That thing looks more and more ugly everytime I see it. I know it's supposed to be safer and reduce aero push/loose, but I'd rather stay in the 78 if they stick with that piece of junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Sorry ya'll, but everytime I see that thing, the first thing that comes to mind is the old superbirds of the early 70s ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97car Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 The wing is too small,in the wrong place and too many fenders.It is ugly,the cars have no charactor besides what is behind the wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingaces Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 IF NASCAR KEEPS THIS UP, THEY WILL BE ADDING A DRIFT RACE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 My Mom always told me that if I didn't have anything nice to say then say nothing at all, so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierDaddy Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Looks like an F1 car on steroids. Enjoy watchin this weekends Bristol race, it'll be the last one with normal lookin racecars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrungot Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 If it ain't Broke... Don't fix it... It will just drive the low budget teams out.. having to build new cars.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProTree Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 shouldnt be many "cautions/yellows" for trash on track,that front spoiler should scoop it right up and hope the pit guy with the long handle brush dont get it hung in those supports,that could be interesting,driver rips out of the pits with a long,long handle brush attached to the front end,slapping everybodys elses crew with it as he goes down pit road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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