Whenever NASCAR introduces changes to tracks, tires, or the Next Gen cars, they often enlist a handful of drivers to conduct pre-race testing. These tests can give drivers an early advantage, familiarizing them with the modifications ahead of their competitors. But does this additional track time come with extra pay?
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A Joe Gibbs Racing insider addressed this query in one of the YouTube shorts posted by the team, stating, “Not extra! That’s part of their job that’s part of their salary.”
He elaborated that since the onset of COVID-19, the live testing at tracks has been drastically reduced to just 20 minutes — much less than in previous years. Drivers participating in these tests view the extra laps not as a chore, but as a strategic advantage, allowing them to acquaint themselves with new track conditions, tire behaviors, or changes in vehicle setup.
He continued, “It really helps prepare them for the track. We also do tire testing on occasion for Good Year and generally, there’s one sometimes two drivers from each manufacturer… So, usually, any opportunity to drive the car live on a racetrack the drivers are anxious to do because it makes them better on Sunday.”
With the advent of the Next Gen cars, NASCAR has encountered a particular challenge: optimizing performance on short tracks, whereas racing on intermediate tracks has arguably reached its pinnacle.
In response, NASCAR has explored multiple strategies, adjusting the car’s aerodynamic features among other tweaks. Heading into 2024, a fresh set of modifications is on the table to enhance competition across various track types.
Yet, despite various attempts, no significant breakthrough was evident until April 2024, revealing that mere tweaks to aerodynamics wouldn’t suffice as a quick fix. Many drivers including Denny Hamlin and veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr. have been vocal about boosting engine horsepower, though NASCAR officials are steadfast in keeping power levels consistent.
This has turned the spotlight onto Goodyear, NASCAR’s tire supplier, challenging them to conjure up some enhancements for short-track racing. In response, Goodyear introduced “option tires” at Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this year, which improved the Next Gen cars’s performance on short tracks to some extent. It hasn’t been consistent though.
It will be fascinating to see if additional changes by NASCAR inject more thrills into the races and elevate the overall competition.
