NASCAR Next Gen testing speeds from Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway
On Friday, NASCAR concluded a two-day test for the NASCAR Next Gen car. The test is being used to finalize the rules package for the 2022 season. Teams were handed multiple engine and aero packaged throughout the week at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway oval.
View Charlotte testing times below.
Charlotte Test Results: Menu
Nov 17 | Nov 18 | Dec 15 | Dec 17
Over the two-day test, NASCAR ran four configurations:
1: 550 target horsepower, centered 7-inch spoiler — a 1-inch reduction from the most recent Charlotte test. (Wednesday only)
2: 670 target horsepower, centered 6-inch spoiler.
3: 670 target horsepower, 6-inch spoiler offset to the right (passenger) side.
4: 670-horsepower, 4-inch spoiler. (Friday only)
“We know where we’re at. It’ll definitely be one of the goals has been to move a little bit more downforce toward the front because we were having to run so much rearward to add stability to the car,” said Dr. Eric Jacuzzi, NASCAR managing director of aerodynamics and vehicle performance. “It seems like now that the car’s a little happier, better behaved at different ride heights, I think we’re pretty comfortable with where we’re at. It seems like product-wise, we feel pretty good.”
The 670 package became the focus of the test. It’s been determined that will be the engine used for all races except Daytona, Talladega and Atlanta.
Related: Tyler Reddick crashes Next Gen car spectacularly (Video)
Drivers comment on NASCAR Next Gen
Tyler Reddick crashed, for the second day in a row. He tweeted, “This car’s been blessed.”
“The cars are on edge, which is a good thing,” Reddick added on Friday. “There’s more mechanical grip in the car, less aerodynamic grip so, you know, you gotta keep it straight and you gotta keep the tires happy. You can’t get completely sideways or as sideways as we used to in years past with the other cars because the side force just doesn’t hold (the cars) down to the track.”
“Your margin of error is a lot smaller,” Ty Dillon said. “I know every lap I’ve ran I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable and I was able to drive it a little bit harder and that edge is getting a little softer for me. What makes Tyler (Reddick) so good is that he lives on that edge, the fine line of hitting the wall or spinning out but he’s super fast.”
“I would rather be there than being the guy that says we’re going to be fine when the season starts and all that,” William Byron said. “It’s nice, but so much is going to change. I just try to stay just as open-minded as a driver as I can because I’ve learned. It really is just about me staying open-minded, trying be as objective as I can be with my team.”
“The car has more downforce but has no side force at all, which the side force is what all drivers were extremely used to,” Suarez said. “We have that feeling that the rear is right there and you can race sideways and it can be OK. But this, we don’t have as much of a warning.”
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Testing Results
December 17, 2021
Session 3
Note: Time below are from the run with the 4 inch spoiler
Pos | Driver | Time | Average Speed
1. William Byron
30.104
2. Daniel Suarez
30.324
3. Kurt Busch
30.266
4. Martin Truex Jr
30.174
5. Kyle Busch
30.492
6. Brad Keselowski
30.228
7. Aric Almirola
30.381
8. Joey Logano
30.405
9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
30.727
10. Tyler Reddick
30.544
11. Chase Elliott
30.676
12. Ty Dillon
30.688
13. Justin Haley
30.789
14. Austin Cindric
30.794
15. Todd Gilliland
30.836
16. Harrison Burton
30.873
17. Cole Custer
31.035
18. Corey LaJoie
30.627
Related: Kevin Harvick vocal on NASCAR Next Gen needing more horsepower
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Testing Results
December 17, 2021
Session 2
Note: Time below are from the run with the 6 inch spoiler (centered).
Pos | Driver | Time | Average Speed
1. William Byron
30.087
2. Brad Keselowski
30.128
3. Kyle Busch
30.289
4. Tyler Reddick
30.289
5. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
30.340
6. Daniel Suarez
30.579
7. Joey Logano
30.453
8. Justin Haley
30.668
9. Martin Truex Jr
30.311
10. Ty Dillon
30.695
11. Chase Elliott
30.600
12. Todd Gilliland
30.738
13. Austin Cindric
30.808
14. Corey LaJoie
30.598
15. Kurt Busch
30.657
16. Harrison Burton
30.741
17. Cole Custer
30.941
18. Aric Almirola
30.714
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Testing Results
December 17, 2021
Session 1
Note: Time below are from the run with the 6 inch spoiler (offset to right) with a bigger rear fin.
Pos | Driver | Time | Average Speed
1. Brad Keselowski
29.641
2. William Byron
30.081
3. Joey Logano
29.768
4. Daniel Suarez
30.300
5. Kurt Busch
30.499
6. Martin Truex Jr
30.562
7. Austin Cindric
30.624
8. Chase Elliott
30.600
9. Justin Haley
30.683
10. Cole Custer
30.588
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
30.740
12. Aric Almirola
30.632
13. Harrison Burton
30.781
14. Todd Gilliland
30.888
15. Tyler Reddick
29.828
16. Ty Dillon
30.902
Related: NASCAR Next Gen testing schedule updated
