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closeNotes: Chiefs get proposed testing rules
DAVID POOLE and JIM UTTER
dpoole@charlotteobserver.com | jutter@charlotteobserver.com
Saturday, Jul. 12, 2008
NASCAR has given Sprint Cup crew chiefs proposed testing rules for 2009 that would allow each racing operation, such as Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing, a certain number of testing days at tracks where the Cup Series competes.
NASCAR is looking for feedback from the teams on the draft, which is based on responses after crew chiefs were asked for their ideas on testing two weeks ago.
Under the proposed rules:
-- Preseason Daytona testing will not change. Teams in odd-numbered positions after Saturday’s Lifelock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway would test one week with teams in even-numbered spots testing the next.
-- Teams would be allowed 24 additional test days throughout the season. A single-car team such as Robby Gordon or the Wood Brothers would have 24 days at tracks where the Cup Series races. Roush Fenway Racing has five cars, but the entire Roush organization would also get just 24 days beyond the Daytona preseason test.
-- Teams would be limited to as few as two cars or as many as four per test, with that determination still to be made.
-- A team could bring all of its drivers to any test, but a driver could not test for any other operation other that the one he drives for – for instance, a driver from Hall of Fame Racing could not test with Joe Gibbs Racing despite any affiliation between those teams.
-- No team could test a track within seven days of a race there, and no teams could test between Nov. 1 and Jan. 15.
-- No team would be allowed to rent any track exclusively – if a track opens for testing for one team on any given day any other team must also be allowed to test there.
-- Tires would be limited, either by number of sets per test day or by number of sets per year. Teams would be told what tires Goodyear will use at each track provided teams order tires for that track by a certain date prior to the test. Teams would be required to turn in tires used at one test before getting more tires for additional tests.
-- Teams will still be able to use tires from previous races and with obsolete tire codes to test at tracks where the Cup Series does not run. Over the past few seasons, NASCAR has designated the tracks on the Cup schedule at which all teams were allowed to test. The new policy is aimed allowing each operation to decide which track it needs to test on so it can improve its overall performance. – DAVID POOLE
Briefly
-- Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s appeal of penalties against is No. 1 Chevrolet team, which had a car impounded by NASCAR after initial inspections at Daytona last weekend, will be heard on July 21. Driver Martin Truex Jr. and owner Teresa Earnhardt were penalized 150 points each. Crew chief Kevin Manion was fined $100,000 and he and car chief Gary Putnam were each suspended for six races. Manion and Putnam worked Saturday night’s race at Chicagoland pending the appeal. – D.P.
-- Amid increasing grumbling about a purported horsepower edge enjoyed by Toyota in the Nationwide Series, NASCAR impounded 10 engines after Friday night’s race and will take them to its research and development facility in Concord for evaluation. Engines from Toyotas driven by winner Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart and David Reutimann were taken along with those from the Fords of Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth, Chevrolets from Clint Bowyer, Jason Keller and Brad Keselowski and Dodges driven by Elliott Sadler and Dario Franchitti. – D.P.