by Greg Arthur  |  About The Author   |  Discuss

Photo by Gregg Arthur

Charlotte, NC – Testing has always been important to NASCAR race teams, but this week’s unscheduled session at Lowes Motor Speedway seems to have played an even more important role. While one could look at this as testing for the upcoming All-Star Challenge race and the Memorial Day’ Coca Cola 600, many teams used it as a way to improve on their 1.5 mile track program. Teams seem to still be struggling with getting a handle on the new car body. As David Ragan said, “this is going to help bring all of the teams closer together. Goodyear doesn’t want to get too aggressive with the tire, due to blistering, and as a result, it has made sessions like this even more important.” With Elliot Sadler and Jamie Mc Murray leading the speed boards, it is evident that the desired result was achieved.

As a fan of racing though, have you ever wondered what exactly what takes place during a testing session? Testing is more than just taking the car out and running a few laps to see what you can do to improve it. Walking through the garage area, I was amazed at the number of laptop computers and sensors. On race days, you will normally see the pit crews and few support persons in the garage. However, testing is a time when engineers are staring at laptop computer and seeing what effect the adjustments they just made had. Cars have so many sensors strapped to them, it is a wonder that drivers can see out the windshield. As one engineer told me, “it seems that we are measuring a thousand things at one time.”

Photo by Gregg Arthur

Testing is also a time for drivers and crew chiefs to spend time discussing the handling of the cars in what appears to be a more relaxed atmosphere. It is also a tiring day for all involved. On Monday, Tony Stewart was in his car for over 5 hours. The team would adjust the car while Stewart sat in the car, then it was back to the track to run laps and see if it had any effect, then back to the garage and wait for more adjustments. This process goes on for hours and while there are scheduled meal breaks where cars aren’t allowed on the track, the work and the reading of the computers doesn’t stop in the garage.

It dawned on me this week at Lowes of how much NASCAR had changed since the days of Cale Yarborough, David Pearson and Buddy Baker. In the early days drivers and their ‘teams’ would show up with the car on a trailer, pulled by a pick-up truck with a tool box and a few extra tires. Those days are definitely long gone.

You can contact Greg at coombse@speedwaymedia.com

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