Joey Logano, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has been vocal about the recent changes to short track racing in NASCAR. The issue came to the forefront after the recent Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Elton Sawyer, the senior vice president of competition for NASCAR, acknowledged the problem and emphasized the need to enhance short-track racing.
🗣️ “We gotta swing the bat. We gotta do something big as a sport to fix it.”
2-time champion @joeylogano weighs in on the current state of short track racing in the #NASCAR Cup Series.
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Joey Logano specifically addressed the tire situation, stating that Goodyear has built tires that are “too good” for racing. While these tires may be suitable for street use due to their durability, they do not meet the needs of racers. Logano explained that during a race, the left rear tire experienced de-lamination, with the tread peeling away, despite the wear pins remaining intact. Such conditions are unacceptable for competitive racing.
“We had 180-something laps on our left sides and it finally started chunking apart at the end,” Logano said. “The last 20 laps, the left rear started coming apart, but it wasn’t because it wore off. The wear pins were still there. It started delaminating, like the tread started coming off. It didn’t wear down to the cords. The tire was fine outside of it chunking apart. That’s not OK.”
Joey Logano on NASCAR’s short track changes
NASCAR introduced a revised short-track package, which includes a much-discussed rear diffuser. This design, developed after extensive testing during the off-season, aims to reduce aerodynamic turbulence by allowing cleaner airflow underneath the cars during races.
Logano acknowledges the package’s double-edged nature. While it may enhance racing, it also provides cost-efficient benefits for teams. Simplifying the diffuser not only improves on-track performance but also saves teams money, potentially reducing pit stop times.
In his words, “It’s better for a few reasons. Okay, if it makes the racing better, great! But I think like just getting that thing off. That thing is expensive underneath it, a diffuser. I am simplifying that a little bit, saves the team some box which is probably good so it’s kind of a win-win at that point.”.
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