The Morning Warmup: NASCAR Teams Test Next Gen in Charlotte
The Morning Warmup
Nov. 19, 2021
(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)
NASCAR Cup Series teams sampled the Next Gen car in a two-day test at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
By Aaron Bearden
The Podium: Today's Top-Three Stories
1) NASCAR teams complete Next Gen test in Charlotte (NASCAR Cup)
NASCAR Cup Series teams took one of their first collective steps toward the 2022 season over the middle stages of the week, completing a two-day organizational test of the Next Gen car at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Teams were offered hours of testing between Wednesday and Thursday at the home track for most organizations. The session saw drivers pushing to learn the limits of the new cars and tires, while crews worked on pit stops with the new single-lug-nut wheels.
Austin Dillon was the first driver to crash, sliding into the wall just minutes into Wednesday’s opening session. He was unhurt, with his No. 3 Chevrolet said to have “performed as designed” in the crash. His machine was heavily damaged, but Richard Childress Racing was able to perform repairs at the team shop and return Dillon to the track in the evening hours on Wednesday.
Numerous others experienced the challenge of the new tires, with drivers including Cup champ Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and William Byron going for spins.
Thursday’s second day of testing saw some teams cut the spoilers on the rear of the cars from eight inches down to seven, providing the equivalent of adding 30 horsepower to the machines. Both the sanctioning bodies and teams continue to try to perfect the new cars ahead of their debut in the 2022 season.
The next organizational test is planned for Dec. 14-15 at Phoenix Raceway, the site of the Cup Series championship race for 2022.
(Source(s): Dustin Long / NBC Sports (x2), Terrin Waack / NASCAR.com)
2) Gen3 Camaro used in secret shakedown test at Queensland (Supercars)
The hidden test comes after the car’s initially-planned debut on Tuesday was allegedly delayed to next week. Word has since spread that the delay was only 24 hours, with Supercars and Triple Eight secretly shaking down the car at Queensland on Wednesday with Broc Feeney behind the wheel.
"It's another significant day in Supercars history with the Camaro taking its first run at QR," Supercars head of motorsport Adrian Burgess told Supercars.com. “Everything went as planned, it was a successful day.
"We rolled out nearly 200 kilometers relatively trouble-free, marking a successful shakedown."
Much like the Ford Mustang’s debut with Dick Johnson Racing, no visual imagery has been revealed to the public from the session. The Mustang was also tested at the Wednesday session, completing laps for the second time.
Both cars will be officially unveiled on Dec. 3 at Mount Panorama. Each will be utilized in Supercars starting with the 2023 season.
(Source(s): Supercars.com)
3) Bathurst 12 Hour moved amid date clash issues (Sports Cars)
The latest shift in the sports car racing calendar has seen the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour shifted by three weeks to avoid date issues with both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Supercars announced the shift on Thursday, moving the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge season to Feb. 25-27. This comes as the track and sanctioning body fought to eliminate a date clash with the ‘Super Sebring’ event in the United States, allowing both teams and drivers a chance to contest both events.
The biggest challenge toward any date shifts is the COVID-19 situation locally, but there are reportedly beliefs that a further easing of international borders should grant international access to competitors for the event.
“Maintaining the event’s traditional early February date wasn’t an option but after consulting with teams, manufacturers and Supercars it also became apparent that an alternative weekend that month would be preferable to March when the Australian, European and American seasons begin ramping up,” SRO Motorsports Group CEO Stephane Ratel said in a series release. “I think we’ve found a good balance between the two, which also allows us to keep an important element of what makes Bathurst special.”
The other Intercontinental GT Challenge dates for 2021 include the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa on July 29-31, the Indianapolis 8 Hour on Oct. 8-9 and the Kyalami 9 Hour on Dec. 1-3.
(Source(s): John Dagys / Sportscar365)
Other News and Notes
NASCAR
Here’s a look at Thursday’s test speeds from Charlotte Motor Speedway, led by Ryan Blaney. (Jayski)
Joey Gase is bringing his own team to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022, with plans for the squad to contest the full schedule. (Chris Estrada / NBC Sports)
Cup champ Kyle Larson will be celebrate in his hometown of Elk Grove, California, on Monday. (Chris Estrada / NBC Sports)
With the season complete, The Athletic went back and answered five questions it had from the preseason. (Jeff Gluck / The Athletic ($))
The runs didn’t end in titles - three of the four drivers weren’t even playoff contenders - but a quartet of drivers did deliver improved marks during the postseason un. (David Smith / NBC Sports)
IndyCar
Danial Frost is moving to HMD Motorsports for the 2022 Indy Lights season. (Marshall Pruett / RACER)
F1
Mercedes’ request to review the battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was delayed until Friday by the stewards in Qatar. (Scott Mitchell / The Race)
The team’s top driver, Lewis Hamilton, is leading the criticism of competing in a place like Qatar, calling F1 “duty-bound” to help scrutinize the races. (Scott Mitchell / The Race)
Verstappen believes the late call for a review shows Mercedes’ “true nature” heading to Qatar. (Luke Smith & Erwin Jaeggi / Motorsport)
Charles Leclerc is watching the review eagerly, saying he will adapt his driving style if the move is allowed. (Chris Medland / RACER)
The pit entry at Qatar is going to be tight and tricky for drivers entering at racing speed over the weekend. (Scott Mitchell / The Race)
Meanwhile, the track itself risks being a track limits problem for the FIA. (Adam Cooper / Motorsport)
Antonio Giovinazzi has vowed to remain professional in his final trio of races for Alfa Romeo after being criticized for comments earlier this week from team boss Frederic Vasseur. (Luke Smith / Motorsport)
Supercars
Kelly Grove Racing has seen a COVID-19 scare for engineer Dilan Talabani. (Andrew van Leeuwen / Motorsport)
A retiring Jamie Whincup is ready to “throw everything” at his final three races in Supercars. (Charlie Bullis / Supercars.com)
Sports Cars
Tom Blomqvist has been brought in to complete Meyer Shank Racing’s new full-time IMSA driver lineup, with Helio Castroneves competing in endurance events. (John Dagys / Sportscar365)
Audi Sport has shifted its driver lineups for the Kyalami 9 Hours in an attempt to maximize its chances at an Intercontinental GT Challenge title. (John Dagys / Sportscar365)
Nissan is prepared to replace the R35 Type NISSAN GT-R GT500 for the 2022 Super GT season. (Daily Sportscar)
The 24 Hours of Sebring has been shifted back to a Saturday start instead of the usual Friday beginning. (Daily Sportscar)
Ricky Taylor discussed his late send and giving all he had for an IMSA title in his final column of the year for Sportscar365. (Ricky Taylor / Sportscar365)
Short Tracks
Track championships will be decided this weekend at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. (Zack Evans / Racing America)
Here’s a look at the updated entry lists for the Snowball Derby. (Zach Evans / Racing America)
Moto
MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo was critical of Yamaha’s testing package after being surprised by his recent test. (Simon Patterson / The Race)
Toprak Razgatlioglu has been quickest in practice for the final World Superbike round in Indonesia. (Rachit Thukral / Motorsport)
Esports
Peter Berryman won the 2021 Force Dynamics Dallara iRacing Grand Prix title after an eventful finale at the Hungaroring. (Justin Melillo / Traxion)
Other
Sebastien Ogier holds the early edge in the Monza Rally. (Luke Barry / DirtFish)
Gus Greensmith will remain with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team for a fourth consecutive season in 2022. (Luke Barry / DirtFish)
On Track
(All times ET)
Nov. 19
F1
F1 Free Practice 1 (Losail International Circuit): 5:30 a.m., ESPN2
F1 Free Practice 2 (Losail International Circuit): 9 a.m., ESPN2
Supercars
Supercars Practice (Sydney Raceway Park): 7:50 p.m., SuperView
Supercars Qualifying - Race 29 (Sydney Raceway Park): 9:40 p.m., SuperView
Dirt
USAC Hangtown 100 (Placerville Speedway): 9:05 p.m., FloRacing
King of the Sandbox (Southern Raceway): 6:30 p.m., FloRacing
Early Bird 50 (Needmore Speedway): 7:00 p.m., FloRacing
Desert Thunder Nationals (Central Arizona Speedway): 9:00 p.m., FloRacing
Drag Racing
Street Car Super Nationals (Las Vegas Motor Speedway): 11:00 a.m., FloRacing
Nov. 20
F1
F1 Free Practice 3 (Losail International Circuit): 6 a.m., ESPN2
F1 Qualifying (Losail International Circuit): 9 a.m., ESPN2
Supercars
Supercars Top Ten Shootout (Sydney Raceway Park): 12:35 a.m., SuperView
Supercars Race 29 (Sydney Raceway Park): 3:10 a.m., SuperView
Supercars Qualifying - Race 30 (Sydney Raceway Park): 6:50 p.m., SuperView
Supercars Top Ten Shootout (Sydney Raceway Park): 8:30 p.m., SuperView
Supercars Race 30 (Sydney Raceway Park): 11:15 p.m., SuperView
Dirt
USAC Hangtown 100 (Placerville Speedway): 9:05 p.m., FloRacing
Larry Long Memorial (Lake View Speedway): 3:00 p.m., Racing America
King of the Sandbox (Southern Raceway): 6:30 p.m., FloRacing
Early Bird 50 (Needmore Speedway): 7:00 p.m., FloRacing
Desert Thunder Nationals (Central Arizona Speedway): 9:00 p.m., FloRacing
Southern Sprint Cars (Beachlands Speedway): TBD, FloRacing
Short Tracks
Local Championship Finale (Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway): 3:00 p.m., Racing America
Drag Racing
Street Car Super Nationals (Las Vegas Motor Speedway): 11:00 a.m., FloRacing
Nov. 21
F1
F1 Qatar Grand Prix (Losail International Circuit): 9 a.m., ESPN2
Dirt
Desert Thunder Nationals (Central Arizona Speedway): 9:00 p.m., FloRacing
Drag Racing
Street Car Super Nationals (Las Vegas Motor Speedway): 11:00 a.m., FloRacing
Fast Fact:
With only six wins on the year and three races remaining, the best Lewis Hamilton can do is to tie his nine-win 2017 campaign for the lowest win total during Mercedes’ run of dominance from 2014 through this year. Hamilton has won 10 or 11 races in each of the six other prior years outside of 2017.
The Morning Warmup is fueled by associate sponsors David Colyer, Cat Hicks, Bob and Sally Wichert, Jory Fleischauer, Spencer Pullins, Nathan K. Thomas, Karen L. Springer. Ethan Davies, Tyler Sorenson, Mary Dzuro and Michelle Cison.
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