Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer want to practice before the Cup Series races next month at the Daytona circuit for the first time, but NASCAR does not plan to do so.
Scott Miller, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, said Monday on “The Morning Drive” that “we have announced and committed not to practice and qualify through Dover (August 21-23). What is beyond that yet it’s a little up in the air. “
The Cup race at the Daytona Circuit is on August 16. That event replaces the Watkins Glen weekend due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in New York. The ARCA, Truck and Xfinity Series will also compete at the Daytona Circuit in August.
NASCAR has yet to announce details about the duration of the race and course: There is a second chicane to slow the cars down from Turn 3 on the oval track to the exit on the inside field just after the pit exit.
Hamlin and Bowyer raise concerns about the type of race fans will see, as most of the competitors have never driven on the track or last ran years ago.
“Really, personally I would have liked to have seen even 30 minutes (of practice) to get used to some braking points, ”said Hamlin. “I definitely understand the owner side and the NASCAR side where you don’t want to have to prepare backup cars just in case. Hell, maybe even I’m just arguing through (the media), why not have the implication of knowing that this 30-minute practice session, if you screw up, ends up last? Just like you would in the race. If someone is going to be shipwrecked in that 30 minute practice session, they are more than likely to be shipwrecked in the race anyway.
“I think we can take it easy, we can go slow and make sure we get acclimatized before going green. You don’t want to have a bad race that is only full of precautions. I am concerned that this is the case.“
If there is practice and / or qualification, then teams would need to have a backup car ready. It is an additional cost that not all equipment wants to have.
“I voted to practice at Daytona,” Bowyer said. “I guess I’m probably unique, at least I have a few laps on the track, it was a long time ago, I don’t even remember those laps but I ran the Rolex 24 (in 2013) and I have some experience on that track. But with that said, not in our cars and nothing else.
“I think it is a difficult task to show up there and run a track we have never been on before with the combination of tires with the package, with the aerodynamic, the power, which we have never seen before, it will be a disaster.” for all.
“I think there are definitely drivers and teams that have experience handling that Rolex that will be ahead of the pack, ahead of the curve for sure. These are challenging times. Ask teams to submit a single car and again a backup car and everything in between. It is saving them money (not doing it). I get it. Everything is tight right now. You have to give and take on this stage, and I think it is definitely a gift for Daytona’s career. ”
Here are the current Cup drivers who have competed on the Daytona circuit (overall final)
Clint Bowyer – 2013 Rolex 24 (finished 16)
Kurt Busch – 2005 Rolex 24 (27), 2008 Rolex 24 (3rd)
Kyle Busch – 2009 Mist Porsche 250 (10th), 2020 Rolex 24 (26th),
Cole Custer – IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge 2019 (ninth)
Kevin Harvick – 2002 Rolex 24 (69th)
Timmy Hill – 2012 Rolex 24 (51st)
Jimmie Johnson – 2004 Rolex 24 (28th), 2005 Rolex 24 (2nd), 2007 Rolex 24 (36th), 2008 Rolex 24 (2nd), 2009 Rolex 24 (7th), 2010 Rolex 24 (21st), 2011 Rolex 24 (15th)
Matt Kenseth – 2005 Rolex 24 (27), 2006 IROC race (10)
Michael McDowell – 2005 Rolex 24 (42 °), 2007 Rolex 24 (10 °), 2008 Rolex 24 (15 °), 2011 Rolex 24 (7 °), 2012 Rolex 24 (3 °)
Ryan Newman – IROC Race 2006 (3rd)
Martin Truex Jr. – IROC Race 2006 (6th)
