New Trucks at Daytona: So Far, They Pass The Test
So Far, They Pass The Test
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Jan. 12, 2007) - New
year, new trucks.
All four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series manufacturers - Chevrolet, Dodge,
Ford and Toyota - will debut revised versions of their popular vehicles
when the 2007 season begins with the Chevrolet Silverado HD 250 on Feb. 16
at Daytona International Speedway.
The new models got their first workouts Jan. 12 at the NASCAR Jackson
Hewitt Preseason Thunder testing.
So far, it appears the new trucks are passing the test.
(Photo: NASCAR)
"On the track today, things are looking pretty good as far as
parity," said Wayne Auton, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series director,
who explained that "the aerodynamics are closer, and the down force
is closer, which will make for better competition on the race track."
All four models are identical from the windshield back, enabling NASCAR
inspectors to use a single template to measure each one. Each manufacturer
submitted a revised nosepiece, which is 1 1/2 inches higher than a year
ago.
Several crew chiefs applauded the changes.
"I think that everybody's improved on it," says Mike Beam, crew
chief of the No. 6 Roush Racing Ford that will be driven this season by
2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil. "I think
this is the first year I've seen NASCAR really work hard to make the
trucks equal and put it back on the team for hard work (and) get rewarded
for it."
Rick Ren, newly appointed crew chief for Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 AES HR
Solutions Chevrolet), likes the truck's potential. Ren was a five-time
winner in 2006 with Johnny Benson (No. 23 Exide Battery/Toyota Certified
Used Vehicles Toyota).
"You're going to have to do some chassis tuning for the aero
package," says Ren, a winner in the series with four different
drivers. "This package is quite different on the front aero than what
any of us are used to. This is a deal where I think whoever strikes up on
a combination the quickest is going to get a jump on the field."
The new trucks appear quicker.
"So far, we're faster this year than we were last year at the same
time," says Jeff Hensley, crew chief for Mike Skinner's No. 5 Toyota
Tundra Toyota. "Things seem to react real [well] out there, too. It's
different, but it's different for everybody. I think we should be
fine."
(Source: NASCAR)