Drivers React To Bristol Testing

UNB! NETWORK STAFF REPORT

(PHOTO: Rainier Ehrhardt/
Getty Images)

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE--- Over 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams are having open tests at Bristol Motor Speedway this week. The Sprint Cup stars head to the track on August 22nd, 2015 for the IRWIN Tools Night Race.

"The surface here doesn't change a lot, but the groove changes a lot," said Carl Edwards during a break in the session. "People end up racing right up against the fence.

"We're not really able to do that today. Basically, this is like the first practice session. ---- When we show up in August, the race track will be like this."

Along with Edwards, the other 11 drivers (and teams) testing are, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Aric Almorola, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Paul Menard, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, Danica Patrick, Travis Kvapil, Kasey Kahne, and Landon Cassill.

Logano and Kahne are previous Cup Series winners at Bristol.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has not only never won at Bristol, but he has also never won a Sprint Cup Series race.

Stenhouse was Sprint Cup Rookie-Of-The-Year in 2013.

"Honestly, being 18th or 19th in points or where we are, if you don't have a win, you're still outside (the Chase hunt)," Stenhouse said. "I could be eight spots better and it really wouldn't do me any good other than obviously we're getting better finishes, better results."

The Ultimate NASCAR Blog will have complete coverage of this open testing at Bristol this week.