Full Throttle

Four NEXTEL Cup teams plus NASCAR’s version will be testing the “Car of Tomorrow” next week at Bristol. Look at the list of teams and drivers that are testing, tell me if you see anything out of the ordinary.

Richard Childress Racing (Jeff Burton), Penske Racing South (development driver Billy Wease), Chip Ganassi Racing (Reed Sorenson) and Roush Racing (Carl Edwards) - are expected to bring cars to an open test.

What do you see?

I see one Cup rookie, albeit one with a lot of Busch seat time, and one “development” driver. Just how much does NASCAR, Penske and Ganassi expect they can add to the testing process? NASCAR Vice President Robin Pemberton said this test is about “tuning the cars, understanding what it will take for springs and shocks and handling of the car,” in addtion to, “We will get some more feedback from the wing and the [front] splitter.”

Not only are Penske and Ganassi stupid, or just not serious about the test, but NASCAR is as well, (or living in some type of alternative universe) if they think Bristol will provide enough speed to effectivly gauage the value of the wing and splitter. Add in the young drivers on hand and I don’t see much of value being obtained.

Is it any wonder why Gary Nelson left the project to form his own company?

UPDATE: The Augusta Chronicle is reporting Rusty Wallace will be on hand during the Bristol Test. Is it too much to ask that Wallace give assistence to youngsters Billy Wease and Reed Sorenson? They also report teams recently received “Car of Today” blueprints.

NASCAR officials have been visiting shops to check on the progress of the new car and to convince teams the latest blueprints are final. The only areas not carved in stone are the rear wing and the front bumper configuration.

NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Car of Tomorrow, Bristol Motor Speedway, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle