Teams conduct tests at repaved Phoenix International Speedway – NASCAR news
36 drivers conducted test runs at the recently repaved Phoenix International Speedway on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.
It was the first of a two-day test conducted by NASCAR to make sure that teams get a handle of the track since there have been slight modifications to the track layout as well.
Drivers had different opinions regarding the new layout and repavement of the track. With so many changes to the track, many drivers are now adding Phoenix to the ‘wildcard’ race list alongside Talladega.
“I think it's going to be a wild-card race because of the unknowns, because it's all new, and everybody is trying to figure it out as we go,” said Jeff Gordon.
Speaking about the track, Kyle Busch said that the cars were a lot faster in this test than an earlier test conducted here before. Busch was also certain that due to the added pace of the track, Carl Edward’s track record of 26.395 seconds (136.389mph) will
be broken this time around. However, he expected no change in the general favourites for the race as teams who had performed well in previous races here will still perform well at the track.
Phoenix is the last race on the schedule for the Chase before the final run in at Homestead. This makes the race all the more crucial to the Chase drivers and many had suggested delaying the repaving of the track until after the season ends.
David Reutimann, who is not in the Chase, did not think that it will make a huge difference to the Chase racers and it will be the same for everyone.
“I guess we'll find out when we get here. We all have to race on the same race track, and no one has an advantage or disadvantage on a new race track. As long as we all know ahead of time what to expect, I don't have a problem with doing it now,” he said.
The second test session is due to be conducted on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. The second session will be a closed session, away from the eyes of the public.
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