For the first time since 1996, North Wilkesboro Speedway will host a points paying NASCAR Cup Series race. The one-mile oval hosted a test session on Tuesday to see how an increased horsepower package could make short track racing better.
When this current Cup car debuted in 2022, one of the biggest detractors was short-track competition was negatively impacted. Gone were the days of legendary side-by-side battles at Bristol Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway.
Now, NASCAR is looking to improve that by giving teams 750 hp to create more on-track action and wear of Goodyear tires. The test started early Tuesday in 40-something degree temperatures and continued into the afternoon with temps in the mid-50s.
During the afternoon session, NASCAR decided to extend the test until 7 p.m. where temps fell back into the mid-40s to measure different air and track variables.
Logano Looking at the Long Run
The three-time NCS Champion of Joey Logano took part in the test driving his No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
“We’re here working on some stuff and it will be interesting to see what kind of changes they’re going to make rules package-wise,” Logano said. “Obviously, we’re doing camber stuff today as well as some stuffers and diffuser strakes and all those things.
I don’t know if there’s a for sure answer of what we’re going to do yet, but it’s a long season. I know that. There’s a lot of ups and downs. There are times when teams look great early in the year and they fall off. It’s really hard to stay up there the whole time.
“We’re just working through some changes that we wanted to try. It’s an opportunity to try things that you don’t get to try on typical race weekends when all you usually get are wedge and heights and bar arms.
“Now, you can change some big things that you typically don’t get to try. We’re just trying to get some direction on some of those things, and then obviously, the afternoon is more toward the new rules package and options and what those could look like.”
The native of Middletown, CT native will be racing for a fourth championship this year, while adding to his 37-race win total.
Josh Berry Waits for Overall Results
Berry, who made the playoffs last year via his lone win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, went through the test paces in his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford. After the morning session, he still hadn’t felt any significant differences with the new horsepower package.
“It’s always hard at these tests because this is best-case scenario,” Berry shared. “Obviously, it was really cold this morning. I would say at 10 o’clock this morning if you would have told me there was a motor change, that’s the only way I would have known.
“There’s just a lot of grip and it’s hard to tell, but as the track rubbers up and it gets hotter those things are going to expose themselves more and I think it’ll be a little bit of a change,
“But, I’m not sure it’s going to be a huge one.”
Race date at North Wilkesboro is July 19 for the Windows World 400. Temperatures, track conditions and overall grip will be much different.