Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin dispute NASCAR crash test numbers
At the start of the 2022 season, NASCAR launched the Next Gen car. It’s a spec chassis, identical from team to team.
The car was designed to level the playing field. It’s done that to success as 14 different drivers have recorded a win already this season.
At the same time, the car was suppose to be safer than previous generations. The pre-season crash test data showed that the car is in fact safer.
Yet, the drivers say the impacts are greater. Despite the data, drivers say crashes with the new car, hurt worse than last year.
Kurt Busch is currently sidelined with concussion like symptoms. He backed his No. 45 car into the wall at Pocono Raceway two weeks ago.
Ty Gibbs jumped in to fill the seat at Pocono Raceway as Busch wasn’t cleared to race at Pocono. Again this week, Busch remained unclear to race. Gibbs drove the No. 45 car again on Sunday at Indianapolis.
Kurt Busch’s recovery remains unclear. He’s currently going through rehab in an attempt to return to the seat.
Kurt Busch not cleared to race Indy following injury
Joey Logano comments
“Inside the car, it’s different,” Joey Logano told Bob Pockrass.
“I don’t care what the number say. When you’re inside the car, every single driver can tell you, it hurts more.”
“I’m pretty sure, I don’t care what the numbers say after that cause there’s a pretty good data recorder inside their holding onto the steering wheel (the driver).”
Dale Earnhardt Jr speaks on concussion awareness
Denny Hamlin comments
“We have all the data on it,” Hamlin stated of his driver.
“He’s taken a lot of hits, over 25g’s. The body can only take so much.”
“With this car, our bodies aren’t matching the data that they’re showing us. I don’t think they have any answers for us right now. And, we don’t have any more questions except we know what it feels like when it gets hit.”
“When you’re dealing with concussion, historically, you’ve seen with NFL players, it takes less hits to make more of a significance.”
“It’s absolutely concerning, for sure. I’ve knock on wood, been pretty lucky as far as hits have gone, this year. Others have taken some beatings.”
“Listen, there’s no denying that any time you build something that’s stronger, the brunt of the load is always going to go to the weakest point and that is the driver.”
“I’m going to support Kurt in whatever he wants to do. He can sit or he can go race.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr suffered 20+ concussions; He hid most of them from NASCAR
Links
Kurt Busch | Ty Gibbs | 23XI Racing | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pocono Raceway | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | NASCAR
