–An All-New Episode of HOW IT’S MADE World Premieres Thursday, June 5 at 9 PM ET/PT–
Science Channel’s fan favorite HOW IT’S MADE is teaming up with NASCAR, America’s premier motorsports organization, to give viewers an inside look at how NASCAR’s new Gen-6 race car bodies are made. On Thursday, June 5 at 9 PM ET/PT, HOW IT’S MADE visits Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, N.C. as the 11-time Sprint Cup Series champions build out a Chevrolet SS designed to compete at NASCAR’s top level. Continue reading →
Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Filtrete Ford, pulls into the garage area during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gen-6 Testing at Texas Motor Speedway on April 11, 2013 Photo – Tom Pennington/Getty Images
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gen-6 Race Car Prepare For Season’s First Night Race
Records crumbled, numbers skyrocketed and emotions flared during the Gen-6 race car’s debut on the first two intermediate tracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule – Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. And according to those who spoke after testing, expect more of the same during Saturday night’s race at the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway. Continue reading →
After just two races into the season, NASCAR’s plate has already been filled with headlines surrounding the sport from many different directions, but the biggest news has been the introduction of the new generation six car giving more manufacturer identity on the track.
While everyone agrees this new car looks great, there are more questions about how well will it race – especially on the 1.5-mile tracks. The Kobalt Tools 400 in Las Vegas will give everyone their first chance to see this car in race conditions on the most common track on the circuit. And while many of us have our own perspective and point of view, it’s good to know the perspective of the executives at NASCAR as well.
NASCAR’s director of competition, Robin Pemberton met with the press this week and shared his perspective on a number of topics related to the generation six car, the tires, and the evaluation of fencing following the Nationwide series incident at Daytona. Continue reading →
Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite, in action during NASCAR Testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on January 18, 2013 Photo – Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
So far, the 2013 season has produced two Sprint Cup Series races on two entirely different tracks and this weekend the teams are in Las Vegas, with yet another different type of track for the drivers. Daytona is a super speedway and Phoenix is considered a one-mile short track.
But the most widely raced track on the Sprint Cup circuit is the 1.5-mile intermediate track, and that’s what drivers will race for the first time this season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with their new generation six cars. Although it’s not their first Gen6 test on a 1.5-mile track, Las Vegas does represent their first full race on an intermediate venue.
How important is the extra test time scheduled for Thursday?
“Without a doubt the 1.5, two-mile tracks can make your entire season. That test day is going to be huge,” said Steve Letarte, crew chief of the No. 88 driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who finished in the top-ten in every 1.5- and two-mile race he ran in 2012. “As a crew chief, you are trying to figure out what area you should be working in.”
Rodney Childers, who oversees the No. 55 Toyota that Mark Martin put on the pole a week ago at Phoenix, agrees.
“With it being an intermediate track and a place that’s really fast, the aero part becomes the biggest thing that you fight and I think everybody in the garage needs to learn a little bit [more] about this new car and where the splitter needs to be compared to the race track,” Childers said.
Although teams tested the Gen6 car in Charlotte, also a 1.5-mile track, in January, there are some differences presented to drivers for their test at Las Vegas. The most obvious difference being weather conditions. But there’s more for drivers to consider as well. Continue reading →
