The echo of bull dozers and concrete rollers has died down at Daytona leaving in it’s wake the familiar echo of the more familar race engines. The jet black pavement stands in stark contrast to the snow white walls that stand guard over the crown jewel of NASCAR. Though the pavement is silent and the garages stand empty waiting their familiar lodgers, nothing stands still for long in NASCAR. Especially not Daytona.
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[/media-credit]Rolex 24 competitors have already begun their practice as have the super bikes. NASCAR’s finest have tested the avement and given it a big thumbs up. The tire compound has been tested. NASCAR has announced it’s yearly gift to fans in withdrawal with Preseason Thunder and Fanfest. The restrictor plate has been announced. The cars are built and the E15 is secured. It’s almost time to go racing.
For those that are tech oriented and interested in such things for Preseason Thunder, the plate size for next week’s NASCAR Sprint Cup test will be 29/32 inch. This is reduction in the size of the holes in the restrictor plate by 1/32nd of an inch – from 30/32nds of an inch to 29/32nds of an inch – a NASCAR spokesman confirmed Wednesday night.
The plate change will result in a speed reduction of 5-10 mph on Qualifying lap and 3 -5 mph on a race lap in traffic.
The spoiler will be the same as previously used –Spoiler dimensions will be 4.5 inches tall by 63 inches wide. It will sit at 70 degrees.
Another note of interest for next weeks test is that it will be the first public test of the new E15 engines and fuel, although the teams have been testing it for over a year. Most of the teams have stated that the new fuel and new engines will not be an issue.
Things to keep in mind with the new fuel are that the engine temperatures will run slightly higher than before due to the alcohol content in the fuel. Fuel mileage decreases with the Ethanol laced fuel in most cases. Fueling procedures have changed due to the Ethanol fuel. The catch can man has been eliminated and the fuel cans are slower to pour, resulting in a 3 – 5 second increase in pit times.
The new nose and body changes to the COT will also make their debut during this test. Although most teams used them in the tire test in December this is will be the first full field test with the new nose.
The new nose was designed to create more front down force and eliminate the splitter and it’s braces which were easily broken during agricultural racing. Also by eliminating the old splitter it decreases the chances of cut tires from incidental contact with other cars.
New crew chief and driver pairing, new driver/team pairings will also test their new relationships on the new pavement in Daytona. Pairings that are striking the most intrigue include the HMS pairings of Mark Martin/Lance McGrew, Jeff Gordon/Alan Gustafson, Dale Earnhardt Jr./Steve Latarte and Brad Keselowski/Paul Wolfe.
Speed TV will broadcasting much of the practice sessions live. Below is the broadcast schedule. Darrell Waltrip, John Roberts Larry McReynolds and other broadcast favorites will rotate through the analysis position in the booth.
Thursday, Jan. 20
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (SPEED.com)
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (same-day delay) (SPEED)
Friday, Jan. 21
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. (SPEED)
2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (SPEED.com)
Saturday, Jan. 22
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. (SPEED)
2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (SPEED.com)
Fans seeking to rev up their new year can do so at the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona – the companion event to the January test. Along with watching NASCAR Preseason Thunder track activity from Daytona’s Sprint FANZONE, fans can enjoy two Fan Fest sessions – from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21 and from 5-7 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 22.
Driver question-and-answer and autograph sessions are planned. Tickets for the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest are $20. Fans also can watch each day’s testing at no cost from a section of the Oldfield Grandstands. Drivers currently scheduled to make appearances on Thursday, Jan. 20 beginning at 6 p.m. are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Brad Keselowski, David Ragan, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Martin Truex Jr. and Regan Smith.
Scheduled to appear on Friday, Jan. 21, during the 5-7 p.m. session are Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, David Reutimann, Casey Mears, Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Kevin Conway, Kyle Busch, Paul Menard and Ryan Newman. In the 7-9 p.m. session, drivers scheduled to appear are AJ Allmendinger, Brian Vickers, Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya, Marcos Ambrose and Matt Kenseth.
While the snow and ice and artic temperatures blanket most of the country, the heat is just beginning to find it’s way home to Daytona. Like birds migrating back after the winter. The power, and the roar of racing engines combined with the heart and determination of champion thoroughbreds is returning to Daytona. And for those fans that have been in the clutches of withdrawal, it can’t happen too soon.
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