Scenes from the Next Gen test at the Charlotte Motor Speedway oval

By Staff report | Published: November 17, 2021 41

Dontre Graves | NASCAR Digital Media

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Terrin Waack | NASCAR Digital Media

The Charlotte Motor Speedway oval layout is hosting a two-day test of the Next Gen car on Nov. 17-18. The NASCAR Cup Series will run the Next Gen car in the 2022 season starting with the Busch Light Clash on Feb. 6 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Check out the scenes from the test.

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Terrin Waack | NASCAR Digital Media

A look at the 18-inch wheels that will be on the Next Gen car. The wheels will have a single lug nut.

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Terrin Waack | NASCAR Digital Media

One of the new teams in the Cup garage -- Kaulig Racing -- gets to work on its Next Gen car at this test.

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Terrin Waack | NASCAR Digital Media

The No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Ford of BJ McLeod pulls out of the garage for a run on Day 2 of the test.

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Terrin Waack | NASCAR Digital Media

A view of Kurt Busch's new ride -- the No. 45 Toyota at 23XI Racing.

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Terrin Waack | NASCAR Digital Media

With the Roush rebranding, this gas can could be a collector's item.

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Terrin Waack | NASCAR Digital Media

#4TheFuel

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Dontre Graves | NASCAR Digital Media

Joey Logano goes for a lap as night falls at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

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Dontre Graves | NASCAR Digital Media

Austin Dillon's repaired No. 3 Chevrolet made it back out on track toward the end of the session. All in all, RCR replaced the left-front quarter panel, the tail, front fascia, hood, splitter, front clip, engine and front suspension.

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Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Multiple cars are getting after it during Wednesday's test that is scheduled to run for 11 hours.

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Jennifer Fisher | NASCAR Digital Media

Brad Keselowski gets ready for his first seat time on track as a Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver.

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Jennifer Fisher | NASCAR Digital Media

A day after announcing the Roush rebranding to RFK Racing, here's a look at the newly designed logo adorned on the No. 6 Ford.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Brad Keselowski driver of the #6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford drives during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Brad Keselowski takes his new ride out for some laps.

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Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

This week's test marks the first on-track time for many familiar faces in new places. One of those is Kurt Busch, who is now piloting the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Kurt Busch driver of the #45 23XI Racing Toyota drives during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

A first look at the No. 45 -- 23XI Racing's second car -- on track during testing.

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Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Chase Briscoe talks with his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Cole Custer during a break in the action.

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Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Erik Jones is in close pursuit of the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet during the Next Gen test.

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Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Christopher Bell gets around the 1.5-mile layout during the daylight.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Larson driver of the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet waits in the garage area during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

(Cue the music.) The champ is here!

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Larson driver of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet talks with teammate Alex Bowman driver of the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Hendrick Motorsports teammates Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson share a word during Next Gen testing.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Kevin Harvick driver of the #4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford talks with Aric Almirola driver of the #10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Veteran Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola talk about how the Next Gen test is going.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Denny Hamlin driver of the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota waits to get back on the track during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Denny Hamlin waits to get back on the track during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Michael McDowell driver of the #34 Front Row Motorsports Ford looks on from the top of his team hauler during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Michael McDowell looks on from the top of his team hauler during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Erik Jones, driver of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsport Chevrolet, waits in the garage area during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Erik Jones takes a moment with his team in the garage at testing.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: The #1 TrackHouse Racing Chevrolet driven by Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Trackhouse Racing's No. 1 car takes to the track -- a car that will see Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain share seat time at the Next Gen test.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Daniel Suarez cleans his visor before driving the #1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Daniel Suarez enters Year 2 of his Trackhouse Racing tenure with a new teammate and some momentum from Trackhouse's initial season.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Cole Custer driver of the #41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford climbs out of the car in the garage area during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Cole Custer climbs out of his Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the garage area during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Ty Dillon driver of the #94 GMS Racing Chevrolet drives during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Another familiar face in a new place is Ty Dillon, who is driving the No. 94 GMS Racing Chevrolet. GMS will field a Cup team for the first time in 2022.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Ty Dillon driver of the #94 GMS Racing Chevrolet works with his crew in the garage area during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Ty Dillon discusses his observations with his crew in the garage area during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing.

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Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

The morning saw Austin Dillon involved in a wreck in his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

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Terrin Waack | NASCAR DIgital Media

The No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. gets prepped for on-track action.

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Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

A lean, mean Next Gen machine.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: BJ McLeod driver of the #78 Live Fast Motorsports Ford drives during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

BJ McLeod drives the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Ford during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Ryan Blaney driver of the #12 Team Penske Ford drives during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Ryan Blaney is one of three Penske-affiliated cars at the test. Blaney (No. 12) and Joey Logano (No. 22) will pilot their rides while 2022 Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidates Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton will share time in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, which has an alliance with Penske.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Joey Logano talks with his crew before taking the #22 Penske Fords onto the track during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Joey Logano downloads with his crew before taking the track during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: The #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford is seen in the garage area during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

This Next Gen test marks the first time for Harrison Burton and new crew chief Brian Wilson to work together for the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing team.

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Jennifer Fisher | NASCAR Digital Media

Denny Hamlin logs some laps in the morning. The 2021 Championship 4 driver went for a spin during the test.

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Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Kevin Harvick takes his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford around the track.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Corey LaJoie driver of the #7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet drives during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Corey LaJoie pilots his No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet around Charlotte Motor Speedway.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Chase Elliott driver of the #9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet drives during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Chase Elliott has a busy week on tap between testing and USAC racing.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Justin Haley driver of the #16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet drives during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Justin Haley is making the move up to the Cup Series as is Kaulig Racing with one full-time entry and a second car that is slated to run a partial schedule.