The two most Cup-winning drivers this season have voiced concerns about how the traction compound was applied to Kentucky Speedway last weekend, and the president of the track-owning company said that if the drivers have such concerns, “You are welcome and encouraged to call or text me.” directly.”“data-reactid =” 16 “>The two most Cup-winning drivers this season have voiced concerns about how the traction compound was applied to Kentucky Speedway last weekend, and the president of the track-owning company said that if the drivers have such concerns, “You are welcome and encouraged to call or text me.” directly.”
What happened in Kentucky is troubling because NASCAR is heading to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for Series Truck, Xfinity and Cup races. That track and Kentucky are owned by Speedway Motorsports, the company founded by Bruton Smith and run by his family.
“data-reactid =” 17 “>What happened in Kentucky is troubling because NASCAR is heading to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for Series Truck, Xfinity and Cup races. That track and Kentucky are owned by Speedway Motorsports, the company founded by Bruton Smith and run by his family.Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin, each with four series wins this year, were critical this week because the traction compound was reapplied to Kentucky Speedway ahead of the Cup race last weekend.“data-reactid =” 18 “>Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin, each with four series wins this year, were critical this week because the traction compound was reapplied to Kentucky Speedway ahead of the Cup race last weekend.
“I love the Smith family, but sometimes they get rebellious when it comes to thinking they are in the competition business,” Hamlin said Friday in a Zoom media session. “It’s disappointing because the information NASCAR gets from us on track preparation and how to prepare the track for the best possible races comes from the drivers who do it themselves, and they know it better than anyone. Better than nobody.”“data-reactid =” 19 “>“I love the Smith family, but sometimes they get rebellious when it comes to thinking they are in the competition business,” Hamlin said Friday in a Zoom media session. “It’s disappointing because the information NASCAR gets from us on track preparation and how to prepare the track for the best possible races comes from the drivers who do it themselves, and they know it better than anyone. Better than nobody.”
Harvick said: “Last week we performed on race day, the PJ1 (traction compound) got on the track without anyone knowing.”
“data-reactid =” 20 “>Harvick said: “Last week we performed on race day, the PJ1 (traction compound) got on the track without anyone knowing.”Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, responded to his concerns in a statement to NBC Sports.
“I know the drivers want to put on the best show for the fans, and EVERY effort we make as track operators, both on the track and in the stands, is geared toward doing the right thing for the fans.” Smith said in the statement emailed to NBC Sports. “Track preparation has been going on for decades, and we work without apology for compelling competition that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Our team in Texas is working hard and I have a seat at Tire Dragon for any driver who wants to help us. Drivers are welcome and encouraged to call or text me directly with any concerns. “
A NASCAR spokesperson told NBC Sports on Friday that there are no changes to the process of applying the traction compound to the tracks, adding that drivers are consulted every week and that the series has developed a “solid dialogue and process.” . The spokesperson also said that if the traction compound is reapplied, NASCAR informs drivers before the race.“data-reactid =” 23 “>A NASCAR spokesperson told NBC Sports on Friday that there are no changes to the process of applying the traction compound to the tracks, adding that drivers are consulted every week and that the series has developed a “solid dialogue and process.” . The spokesperson also said that if the traction compound is reapplied, NASCAR informs drivers before the race.
The traction compound is intended to help deliver multiple race lanes around corners, providing more opportunities for drivers to pass rather than run single file. It is used on various tracks for the Cup, Xfinity and Truck races, including Kentucky, Bristol, Texas, Charlotte, Pocono and Phoenix, among others. “data-reactid =” 26 “>The traction compound is intended to help deliver multiple race lanes around corners, providing more opportunities for drivers to pass rather than run single file. It is used on various tracks for the Cup, Xfinity and Truck races, including Kentucky, Bristol, Texas, Charlotte, Pocono and Phoenix, among others.
Hamlin is among the drivers who have played an active role in working with NASCAR on where and when to apply the traction compound.“data-reactid =” 27 “>Hamlin is among the drivers who have played an active role in working with NASCAR on where and when to apply the traction compound.
Hamlin said it didn’t take long to see a problem with Kentucky Speedway and where he had applied the traction compound that led to a racing weekend that included two Xfinity races, an ARCA race, a Truck race and a Cup race. .“data-reactid =” 28 “>Hamlin said it didn’t take long to see a problem with Kentucky Speedway and where he had applied the traction compound that led to a racing weekend that included two Xfinity races, an ARCA race, a Truck race and a Cup race. .
“The track was set up in a certain way,” said Hamlin. “We weren’t too happy to start the weekend, and we saw the Xfinity race, the first two races. We had a problem and we really needed to work on it, and the problem is letting that main line escape. “data-reactid =” 29 “>“The track was set up in a certain way,” said Hamlin. “We weren’t too happy to start the weekend, and we saw the Xfinity race, the first two races. We had a problem and we really needed to work on it, and the problem is letting that main line escape.
“The only way to stop that single-lane race track is to let (the traction compound) wear off and with them go in overnight and breathe in that middle lane again before the race (of the Cup) just wasn’t ideal and there were a lot of people who weren’t happy about it
“data-reactid =” 30 “>“The only way to stop that single-lane racetrack is to let (the traction compound) wear off and with them go in overnight and breathe in that middle lane again before the race (of the Cup) just wasn’t ideal and there were a lot of people who weren’t happy about it“We had four widths until the end, which saved the day to A, do we have a great race or not? Man, you have to, I really wish SMI in particular would hear the guidance that the drivers and NASCAR give them when it comes to spraying these race tracks. ““data-reactid =” 31 “>“We had four widths until the end, which saved the day to A, do we have a great race or not? Man, you have to, I really wish SMI in particular would hear the guidance that the drivers and NASCAR give them when it comes to spraying these race tracks. “
For this weekend in Texas, NASCAR stated that this is how the track will be prepared:
In turns 1 and 2, the low groove (approximately 18 feet from the apron) will not be treated. The intermediate grooves will be treated with PJ1 traction compound and the tires will be dragged over that portion. The treated area is about 60 feet wide.“data-reactid =” 33 “>In turns 1 and 2, the low groove (approximately 18 feet from the apron) will not be treated. The intermediate grooves will be treated with PJ1 traction compound and the tires will be dragged over that portion. The treated area is about 60 feet wide.
On turns 3 and 4 in Texas, the low furrow (approximately 18 feet from the apron) will not be treated. The intermediate grooves will be treated with PJ1 tensile compound. The tires will also crawl over that area, which is about 30 feet wide.
“data-reactid =” 34 “>On turns 3 and 4 in Texas, the low furrow (approximately 18 feet from the apron) will not be treated. The intermediate grooves will be treated with PJ1 tensile compound. The tires will also crawl over that area, which is about 30 feet wide.Or they could just be responsible 🤷🏻♂️
– Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) July 17, 2020
Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, voiced concerns about track preparation originally appeared on NBCSports.com
