NASCAR drivers, owners, general managers and crew members- and just about everyone else- are speaking out today as the sanctioning body announced this morning that testing for the 2009 season has been "suspended", effective January first.
“I think it's a mistake,” points leader Jimmie Johnson said. “I think teams need a chance to work on their cars and improve their programs to put on a better show. At the end of the day, speed equals dollars.
“If we had this rule last year with all the work we needed to do, I don't think we'd be where we are today. I feel a compromise would have been to allow teams to run data acquisitions on Fridays (at tracks). We still have to test. We cannot sit still and we won't... When I heard the news this morning, I was shocked.
The announcement comes just days after NASCAR Chairman Brian France stated in a teleconference that he didn't want to "waste" time looking for a solution to NASCAR's current economic struggles.
Nice job, Brian. Let's not waste our time looking for answers to problems, when we can just count the ever dwindling amount of money in our bank accounts. Brilliant, sir.
President Mike Helton has said they are looking for alternative ideas and hopes "it’s a temporary situation."
Surprisingly, many others in the sport are siding with NASCAR on this issue.
"I think it's great overall for the sport because it creates an equal playing field," James Frye, General Manager of Red Bull Racing, said. "I compare it to a major league baseball. On the playing field can you tell which of the guys took batting practice or not. If everybody the same, then It won't affect the product.
"For what's going on in the world right now, it's the right decision. We're all in this together—the sponsors, the teams and NASCAR. We're in a difficult position right now. It's not going to affect what happens on Sunday. Who knows, it might make it better."
Denny Hamlin agrees, but also agrees with Johnson when talking about teams getting around the rule.
"I think you're still going to see testing get done. One way or another, it's going to get done, whether Goodyear calls for it or whatnot. But them cutting out the big tests, Daytona and whatnot, you're there for three days for not a whole lot of reason. We go to these racetracks and don't learn a whole lot, because the rubber's not put down on the racetrack. So we really don't learn anything until race weekend anyway.
"We get a lot of practice," he said. "We get almost three hours of practice every weekend. That's a lot. If we can't learn it by then, we shouldn't be in the sport."
Jeff Burton is on the fence about the issue.
"There are a lot of unknowns," Burton said. "I've never been a part of the sport when testing was banned, so I'm not sure of the consequences of that. I do believe that testing is a way for a struggling team to improve. But I also believe we're in severe times, and we need to have severe actions."
This move could save teams anywhere from $700,000 to one million per driver per test, which Helton estimates to be "in the range of tens of millions (of dollars)."
The move won't have as big of an impact on drivers who have experience in the Car of Tomorrow. Joey Logano, though he has tested a COT for Joe Gibbs Racing, has only started three races this season, and only one came in a JGR Toyota.
"Really, testing at the right track with the right tire is the cheapest R&D," Greg Zipadelli, Logano's future crew chief, said.
Teams can only hope that the ban- and these tough economic times- don't stick around much longer.
Thanks to the Winston-Salem Journal, NASCAR.com, The Sports Network, FOX Sports, USA Today and Motorsports.com for the quotes used in this piece.
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about 1 month ago
Just like every other problem we have in this country a snap decision is made that will be more harmful then helpful.. I agree with Jimmie its a big mistake now the cars will be slower handle poorly and be harder to get corrected. This cot car is bad enough already, This car requires way more testing. This decision will lead to more wrecks..You wanna cut costs let nascar start buying the race fuel from Venezuela where its less then a $1.00 a gallon. You wanna cut costs shorten the regular season by 10 races...You wanna cut costs have nascar to mandate a 4 car max for each team. These things will help with out impacting the product nascar presents, at least until the economy turns...
from about 1 month ago
I think it's a great call by NASCAR, it eliminates Mr. Hendrick's fat wallet, along with RFR and makes it a even playing field with the little teams.
about 1 month ago
While Jimmie raises valid points, I think it will be cost effective to take testing out of the equation. Several race teams have said this will save them millions of dollars. But you can bet that some non-sanctioned track will benefit as teams flock there....or build test tracks themselves.
about 1 month ago
For one, I don't see NASCAR buying oil from Venezula considering the severe hositility the country has for Americans. Yes, the COT recquires more testing because, well, NASCAR screwed it up. NASCAR can't mandate a four car max because there'd be no way for teams to make them raceable for EVERY race. Like MJ said, Johnson does make some valid points, and teams are definitely going to find a way to get around the rule: why not Pikes Peak or Virginia International Speedway?
NASCAR needs to do more, a lot more, to help teams out. This could be a way to save money, but like Jeff Burton said... there's a lot of unknowns.
about 1 month ago
Wow Jen, when your hot your hot and another awesome article. I like the call by NASCAR on this one, it eliminates the advantage the four big teams had over the little guys. I will agree with both you and MJ, that teams will find away around it and NASCAR needs to do more to help the teams.
Maybe we need to talk Zander or B/R into buying some land put a short track, a 1.5 mile track and a third track that could be used for multiple tracks, then we could all hang out at these tracks and watch our favorite drivers test on them.
from about 1 month ago
Brilliant! I think Kevin Harvick would find us very popular, wouldn't he? And you're right when it eliminates Hendricks big wallet. The little teams need to get stronger for this sport to be more competitive and stronger, and there's a lot more to be done. But eliminating testing looks like it'll save teams a ton of money.
about 1 month ago
First off, who cares if testing is costly? Yeah, I know times are tough right now and everything. But it's not mandatory and banning it for everyone because the "little guy" can't keep up with the cost is ridiculous.
With this being the first full season of the COT, I think teams could still highly benefit from testing; there's still a few things to figure out. I believe that testing is a necessary part of this sport, without it, teams and the cars themselves are not going to improve.
Like Johnson said, teams will still try to find a way around the ban. This isn't going to stop them completely. People don't care to listen; they do what they please when they want to.
Great article, Jen.
But I'm still pissed that NASCAR would ban testing just like that.
from about 1 month ago
Julianna, thanks so much- and thanks for the strong opinion! Can't go wrong with that. I think if next year would've been the first full year for the COT, then this action would've been completely ridiculous. The COT is hard to drive and they'd need testing. And you're right, teams can go to like I said Pikes Peak or something and go test. The only people who are really going to hurt are rookies- Scott Speed and Marcos Ambrose. Logano may hurt too, even though he's done a lot of testing for JGR. Hopefully this won't be for more than one season, possibly even less.
about 1 month ago
I have to say that I am torn about it like Jeff Burton. The "angelic" side of me thinks good for NASCAR for saving money and the "devilish" side says who cares its all for the good of the people.
Regardless, as always, excellent article Jen!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Kara! I have a ton of respect for Burton- he doesn't know how this will effect teams, so he's not quick to judge. Saving money is great... I just hope the competition side of the sport isn't hurt too much by this.
about 1 month ago
That's a formidable article Jen, said what had to be said in just the right length, bunch of stars and a pick. I'll not express an opinion on the test ban, don't know enough about it.
from about 1 month ago
PS what this article http://bleacherreport.com/articles/82040-ode-to-the-lovely-ladies-of-bleacher-report
suggests is absolutely not true in my case! Good article, worth a read.
from about 1 month ago
Thank you Duncan!
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