As NASCAR prepares for the Round of 12 race at Talladega, tensions mount following recent aerodynamic revisions to the Next Gen car. These alterations, intended to enhance driver safety by mitigating the risk of cars airborne during high-speed crashes, have sparked controversy.
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin has criticized the modifications as ill-conceived and unfavorable among the drivers. On his podcast, "Actions Detrimental," explained:
"We got briefed by NASCAR on changes that they're proposing for Talladega. Which is running that roof rail over our front windshield. And obviously the drivers were not in favor of that.
"For one, it looks like ass. And second, it hurts visibility... The problem is, is that we take tear offs off of our front windshield. And superspeedways are one of the worst tracks for debris on the front windshield. So, we need to get those tear offs off.
"But this block is probably 15% of the windshield, and especially the right front corner when we're side drafting. We are constantly looking out at the right front corner of the windshield to gage how close we are to each other and others. And there's just not a really good solution."
The conversation over these modifications takes place amidst the context of the NASCAR Playoff standings where Denny Hamlin currently sits fifth in the Playoff standings, trailing leaders William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, and Kyle Larson.
Elton Sawyer, NASCAR's senior vice president of competition, acknowledged the inherent challenges presented by the rapid speeds and close-quartered conditions typical at tracks like Talladega.
"It's a complicated situation there when you're running the speeds that we're running. And you put multiple cars close together and how they affect each other,” he said.
"Our guys in the back, I know they've been working since Saturday night to kind of recreate all that. And still some additional work on our side to be done."
As preparation continues, drivers, engineers, and officials face the task of integrating these modifications while ensuring fair competition and the safety of everyone on the track.
The anticipation builds not just for outcomes on the track but also in observing how feedback from drivers like Hamlin may influence future regulatory directions.
2024 Talladega NASCAR Schedule
Friday, October 4
1 p.m. ET: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series - Qualifying
4:30 p.m. ET: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series - Love's RV Stop 225
Saturday, October 5
11:30 a.m. ET: NASCAR Xfinity Series - Qualifying
1:30 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Qualifying
4 p.m ET: NASCAR Xfinity Series - United Rentals 250
Sunday, October 6
2 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - YellaWood 500
