By Joey Gucciardo | October 22nd, 2015
NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott, and Erik Jones took part in a low-downforce testing session Tuesday at Michigan International Speedway.
The test was for NASCAR and Goodyear officials to look for aerodynamic adjustments and changes that could improve racing atthe 2.5 mile Irish Hills region track.
For the MIS test on Tuesday, cars were modified to have smaller splitters and radiator pans and a shorter three-and-a-half inch spoiler, much like the configuration used at Kentucky and Darlington this season for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
"(It's) definitely different than the XFINITY car," Buescher said during a break in the test. "… If you asked Cup guys that were here earlier this year with the high drag package, drivability probably wasn't an issue. It was probably pretty easy to drive, whereas now it's a bit of a handful. We're lifting out of the throttle a little more than what data shows from earlier this year. …
"It's a big difference and I think the race is going to show a pretty big change as well."
While none of these three drivers have ever gone full-time in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, all three of the drivers have experience in the Sprint Cup Series.
Buescher, the current NASCAR XFINITY Series points leader, ran six races in the Sprint Cup Series this season in the No. 34 car fielded by Front Row Motorsports. Jones made one Sprint Cup start this season at Kansas, being one of the few drivers who replaced the then-injured Kyle Busch in the No. 18 Crispy M&M's Toyota Camry. Elliott ran five Sprint Cup Series races this year in Hendrick Motorsports' No. 25 entry as a warm-up for replacing Jeff Gordon in the No. 24 car when Gordon retires from racing at the end of this season.
Elliott ran the low downforce package at Darlington and said he hopes that "this is a small step and it continues down this path.
"I don't think it needs to stop here with this low downforce package," he also said. "I think it needs to continue if that's the direction that we need to go in and not get satisfied too soon."
"A little bit more challenging to drive, more driver input which is nice," noted Jones. "Overall for the Cup Series, I think this is probably a step in the right direction. I definitely think this is a pretty good change."
Jones said it made sense for him to take part in the test since he was already in the area (he is from Byron, Michigan).
"I'm sure Denny wants to get rested up and be at 100 percent for the Chase," he said. "For me, it's pretty cool deal to get in a Cup car and get that experience, feel out the new package. Anytime I can get laps in these cars is beneficial."
Information from NASCAR was used in this article.
-Tweet me at @GucciardoJoey!
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| Chase Elliott discusses the new low-downforce package during a NASCAR and Goodyear test at Michigan International Speedway in' Brooklyn, Michigan on Tuesday, October 20th, 2015. (PHOTO: Nick Gonzales/MLive.com) |
The test was for NASCAR and Goodyear officials to look for aerodynamic adjustments and changes that could improve racing atthe 2.5 mile Irish Hills region track.
For the MIS test on Tuesday, cars were modified to have smaller splitters and radiator pans and a shorter three-and-a-half inch spoiler, much like the configuration used at Kentucky and Darlington this season for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
"(It's) definitely different than the XFINITY car," Buescher said during a break in the test. "… If you asked Cup guys that were here earlier this year with the high drag package, drivability probably wasn't an issue. It was probably pretty easy to drive, whereas now it's a bit of a handful. We're lifting out of the throttle a little more than what data shows from earlier this year. …
"It's a big difference and I think the race is going to show a pretty big change as well."
While none of these three drivers have ever gone full-time in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, all three of the drivers have experience in the Sprint Cup Series.
 |
| Chris Buescher tests at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan on Tuesday,October 20th, 2015 in a NASCAR and Goodyear low-downforce test. (PHOTO: Nick Gonzales/MLive.com) |
Buescher, the current NASCAR XFINITY Series points leader, ran six races in the Sprint Cup Series this season in the No. 34 car fielded by Front Row Motorsports. Jones made one Sprint Cup start this season at Kansas, being one of the few drivers who replaced the then-injured Kyle Busch in the No. 18 Crispy M&M's Toyota Camry. Elliott ran five Sprint Cup Series races this year in Hendrick Motorsports' No. 25 entry as a warm-up for replacing Jeff Gordon in the No. 24 car when Gordon retires from racing at the end of this season.
Elliott ran the low downforce package at Darlington and said he hopes that "this is a small step and it continues down this path.
"I don't think it needs to stop here with this low downforce package," he also said. "I think it needs to continue if that's the direction that we need to go in and not get satisfied too soon."
"A little bit more challenging to drive, more driver input which is nice," noted Jones. "Overall for the Cup Series, I think this is probably a step in the right direction. I definitely think this is a pretty good change."
Jones said it made sense for him to take part in the test since he was already in the area (he is from Byron, Michigan).
"I'm sure Denny wants to get rested up and be at 100 percent for the Chase," he said. "For me, it's pretty cool deal to get in a Cup car and get that experience, feel out the new package. Anytime I can get laps in these cars is beneficial."
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Information from NASCAR was used in this article.
-Tweet me at @GucciardoJoey!
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