Originally appeared on News-Journal Online at
New Nationwide car passes drivers' test - Racing
New Nationwide car passes drivers' test
May 19, 2010
* Nationwide Series
Nationwide series driver Trevor Bayne hurries around his burning No. 99 Toyota as he awaits firefighters Tuesday during testing of the car of tomorrow at Daytona International Speedway. N-J | David Tucker
DAYTONA BEACH -- It looks cool, drives OK and should provide a spark for the NASCAR Nationwide Series once it sees full service.
NASCAR is holding a two-day test at Daytona International Speedway for the next-generation stock car, which will debut here July 2 in the Subway Jalapeno 250.
Thirty-five cars took part in the test, which concludes today over the 2.5-mile tri-oval course.
"We needed to test and get cars on the racetrack," NASCAR competition director Brett Bodine said. "They need the opportunity and time to get the car sorted out."
Kevin Harvick, the 2007 Daytona 500 winner, led single-car morning practice at 181.598 mph, while Kyle Busch topped an afternoon drafting session -- with cars running in a tight pack -- at 185.395 mph.
"It's the same type of feel you get in a Sprint Cup car," Harvick said. "It's a 180 from the (old-style Nationwide car). What we've been driving has been around a long time.
"The big thing is you have room inside the car. It's drastically better. You have room to move around. Your head is not rubbing the roof like the current cars. From the safety aspect, there's no comparison."
The day was not incident-free. Trevor Bayne's No. 99 Toyota caught fire during an afternoon run. The teenage driver got to pit road and bailed from the flaming race car.
"(The fire) blew through the fire wall," said Bayne, who was not injured. "I don't really know what caused the fire ... It just blew through and it was a big fire."
The team believes a fuel line was loose after work was done to Bayne's carburetor.
Series director Joe Balash said NASCAR is working closely with race teams to "make sure there's driveability in the cars."
The Cup and Nationwide cars have always been different. Starting with the next-generation Nationwide Series car, they will use nearly identical chassis setups.
"This is the same chassis, center section of the car used in the Cup Series," Balash said. "We've all seen the on-track testaments how safe that car is."
Busch reported his No. 18 Toyota handled well around other cars.
"It's just loose for everybody, it seems, (Tuesday)," Busch said. "It's hot, but this is the way it's going to be when we come back down here.
"We've just got to go to work and make it handle better. It sucks up really good. It sucks up kind of like a truck -- real fast and abrupt -- but you are loose through the corner."
Joey Logano, Busch's teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, said the speed will increase as more cars draft, which is expected today.
"I think we are going to carry a lot more speed in a bigger pack, so that (balance) is going to change a lot. I think it's going to be OK."
The next-generation cars look nothing like the Nationwide Series cars now campaigned. Many think the new car, which will be run in four events this season before going full-time next year, have more eye-candy appeal.
"They do look a lot better," Busch said.
Brad Keselowski, who wheels the No. 22 Penske Racing Dodge, went one up on Busch.
"I think the Dodge is the best-looking car. Of course, I may have a little bias there," he said. "I do have an appreciation more like the street car. There's a coolness factor to that. It's important for the Nationwide Series to have that 'cool' factor."
Linear Mode
