NASCAR’s first test of the newly repaved Daytona Beach International Speedway saw drivers going three-wide. Only one incident marred the first test of the track since it closed in July.
The racetrack which was repaved only once before in it’s over 50-year existence was atypically smooth. Only that didn’t mean that the single-car and multi-car drafts were error-free. According to reports, Paul Menard and David Ragan tangled, while neither was hurt their respective cars were not repairable at the famous two and one-half mile high-banked oval. Some of the 18-drivers involved commented ; “it’s amazing the job that they did here,” said Gordon, a three-time Daytona 500 champion. “It’s really smooth. It’s got a lot of grip. I think we learned a tremendous amount by being here. Not only did we get a chance to really see what we’re going to be dealing with here in February for the Daytona 500, but it gets us prepared for the test coming up in January.” “They smoothed out all the bumps,” said Earnhardt Jr., the 2004 Daytona 500 champion. “The track is real smooth. It’s got a lot of grip. The track reminds me a lot like Talladega was like when they first finished it. “The racing during the drafting was exciting and I think it is going to be a good show, a more exciting show for the fans because the cars are going to stay real tight on each other throughout entire runs.” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton satisfied with the first day back on the track. “It was a very good day. The teams came well prepared. Goodyear came well prepared. The race track has a lot of grip. The surface is very smooth. It appears in drafting practice they immediately went three wide,” he said. "The sound of cars on the racetrack today was music to my ears," said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. "We are glad to have this project completed ahead of schedule so Goodyear can have a good opportunity to develop a tire for our events in 2011. We were also thrilled to see so many fans come out to watch the race cars turn the first laps on the new pavement. We can't wait for Speedweeks 2011 and the Daytona 500." Among the drivers in attendance included: · Hendrick Motorsports drivers Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Mark Martin - Chevrolet · Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski and Kurt Busch -Dodge · Roush Fenway’s Matt Kenseth and David Ragan - ford · Richard Childress Racing’s Jeff Burton and Paul Menard -Chevrolet · Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya - Chevrolet · JTG Daugherty Racing’s Bobby Labonte - Toyota Recent Articles
|
Racing Multimedia
Recommendations |