Posted on by Jason Lofing

Humpe (58) was dealt a winning hand in Vegas.

Kenny Humpe went to victory lane last night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his first win of the 2015 NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze Series Powered by iRacing. However, the win was not without controversy as Humpe made contact with Nick Ottinger while battling for the lead with just six laps remaining in the 167 lap event.  Ottinger had been leading since shortly after a restart on Lap 122 but Humpe had the better car and, as the laps wound down, began eating into Ottinger’s lead.

Humpe caught Ottinger with nine laps to go and started sizing him up, knowing that passing at Las Vegas is challenging at best. Three laps later, Humpe pounced on a mistake by Ottinger in Turn Two and made his move to the inside as they headed down the backstraight. Entering Turn Three Humpe drove it in deep, missing the bottom by a couple feet. At the same time, Ottinger tried to pinch Humpe tight to the bottom. The result was contact which sent Ottinger head-on into the outside wall and down the order to a thirty-seventh place finish.

After the wreck it appeared there would be a one lap shootout to decide the winner but a crash on the restart resulted in the race ending under caution with Humpe first to the checkered and yellow flags. Defending series champion Michael Conti finished runner-up despite struggling mightily with his car’s handling after 15-20 laps into a run, while Matt Bussa was third and polesitter Chad Laughton came home fourth after setting the early pace. Danny Hansen rounded out the top five, nipping rookie Patrick Crabtree.

The first half of the race was quite tame as most drivers looked to ride in line, knowing how tough it was to pass. Laughton led the first 29 laps from the pole before  Humpe took the top spot away.  Humpe continued to lead until heading for pit road under green on Lap 83, a move that ended-up playing right into his hands.

While Humpe was getting serviced, David Rattler spun and crashed, bringing out a yellow flag which trapped everyone who had pitted under green a lap down, except for Humpe. This stroke of luck allowed Humpe to reassume the lead when all the remaining lead lap cars pitted under the caution flag. On the other hand, Laughton was not so lucky and was trapped a lap down and had to take the wave around. This put him well back in the field and despite a fast car, he could never fully recover and challenge for the lead again.

Humpe looked to have the race under total control before the fourth yellow of the evening flew on Lap 117 which brought all the leaders to pit road. In an effort to save as much time in the pits as possible, Humpe dove hard into his pit box and slid through his box; a mistake which cost him track position as Crabtree, Ottinger and Conti all beat him out of the pits. Humpe, though, would not be denied and drove back to the front over the next 45 laps, culminating with his clash with Ottinger for the victory.

With his win, Humpe vaulted up the NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze Series standings and trails Crabtree by three points for the series lead. Bussa is fourth, nine points back and three ahead of Laughton. Daytona winner Ray Alfalla dropped to fifth, 18 points back of the lead after finishing well down in the running order at Vegas after suffering crash damage just past the halfway point.

Next up on the schedule is Auto Club Speedway which also marks the introduction of NASCAR’s 2015 rules package which includes less horsepower and downforce. This will likely force drivers and teams to start from scratch in the hopes of finding a winning setup combination. Could this new variable product a surprise first time winner? Tune-in to iRacing.com/live in two weeks’ time to find out!

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Stewart-Haas Racing driver still on indefinite probation

NASCAR announced today that, effectively immediately, the indefinite suspension of Kurt Busch has been lifted. He is eligible to return to NASCAR racing under indefinite probation subject to additional mandatory requirements that include but are not limited to participation in a treatment program and full compliance with any judicial requirements placed upon him.

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On Feb. 20, Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 car, was found to be in violation of:

• Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing

• Section 12.8: Behavioral Penalty

The decision to lift the suspension was made by NASCAR after Kurt Busch:

• Complied with all requirements in its reinstatement program;

• Completed the mandatory behavioral assessment sessions; and

• The behavioral health care expert who conducted the sessions recommended to NASCAR that Kurt Busch be allowed to return to competition.

Kurt Busch now will undergo additional steps to address the behavior for which he was penalized.

The requirement that a driver must compete in all Championship Events of the current season to be eligible for The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup has been waived for the period of Kurt Busch’s suspension. Assuming he returns to NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, Kurt Busch would have zero Championship points to date after missing the Daytona 500 and the two most recent NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch’s return to full status as a NASCAR member," said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer. "We therefore have decided to move him to indefinite probation and waive the Chase requirement. He has fully complied with our reinstatement program during his suspension and the health care expert who conducted his evaluation recommended his immediate return.

"We have made it very clear to Kurt Busch our expectations for him moving forward, which includes participation in a treatment program and full compliance with all judicial requirements as a result of his off-track behavior."

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What needs to happen for drivers sitting out, substituting to make playoffs

RELATED: Provisional Chase Grid | NASCAR Fantasy Live

The aftermath of Daytona’s Speedweeks left the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series without Kurt and Kyle Busch. On Wednesday, the elder Busch was reinstated by NASCAR while his brother remains out of competition indefinitely. But their circumstances also threw the series’ driver roster into a state of flux, with varied implications for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs.

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NASCAR revised the eligibility rules for the Chase ahead of the 2014 season, stipulating that drivers can virtually clinch one of the 16 berths with a victory in one of the 26 regular-season races (provided they rank in the top 30 in driver points), with the remaining slots filled by the highest-ranking drivers in the Sprint Cup standings.
 
Ordinarily, drivers who compete for the Sprint Cup championship in the 10-race Chase must start all 26 races during the regular season. An exception was granted last season to Denny Hamlin, who missed a regular-season event in March because of an eye injury but won a race two months later at Talladega Superspeedway. Tony Stewart, who missed three races after his involvement in a fatal sprint car incident, would have been granted an exception into the Chase had he met the criteria of winning a regular-season race or maintaining a higher position in the standings.
 
A glance at what each driver involved in the roster changes would potentially need, if all other criteria are met, to qualify for the 2015 Chase:

— Kurt Busch: On March 11, NASCAR reinstated Busch after suspending him for the first three races of the season, and it waived the requirement that a driver must compete in all points events to be eligible for the Chase. If he wins a race and is in the top 30 in points at the end of the 26-race regular season, he will be eligible to make the Chase. As part of the terms of his reinstatement, Busch must continue his "participation in a treatment program and full compliance with all judicial requirements as a result of his off-track behavior."
 
— Kyle Busch: Last weekend’s heavy crash in the NASCAR XFINITY Series opener leaves the perennial Chase competitor on the shelf for what’s likely a lengthy recovery period with multiple leg injuries. If Busch were somehow healthy enough to return to the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 by midseason, how many races could he miss while retaining Chase eligibility? NASCAR competition officials don’t have a fixed number of absences required to rule drivers out; each affected driver is handled on case-by-case basis.
 
— David Ragan: The journeyman’s seat-hopping escapade, bolting his Front Row Motorsports home in an effort to showcase his talent in the JGR No. 18 in place of Kyle Busch, won’t alter his Chase eligibility. As long as he can fulfill the Chase criteria of winning a regular-season race, attempting to start every event and maintaining a spot in the top 30 in Sprint Cup points, then Ragan would make the playoffs. With his win and points, Ragan would make the Chase in whichever car — the No. 18 for Joe Gibbs Racing, the No. 34 for Front Row Motorsports or another car — he is driving at the start of the postseason.
 
— Regan Smith: In three races as a substitute for Kurt Busch in the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41, Smith did not win a race for the team. Even if he had, he made the declaration that he would compete for championship points in the NASCAR XFINITY Series for his regular ride, the JR Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet team, so he would not become eligible for the Chase as long as he continues to earn points in the XFINITY Series.

— Brian Vickers: After undergoing heart surgery in mid-December, Vickers missed the first two races of the season with Michael Waltrip filling in at the Daytona 500 and Brett Moffitt driving the No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing car at Atlanta before returning to the ride at Las Vegas. NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell announced on Jan. 21 that Vickers would maintain his Chase eligibility, provided he meets all other necessary requirements.
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Fast cars have driver ‘ready to win’ and ‘get (crew) drunk after a win’

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. might have been off to a better start in 2014, but he says his cars are faster in 2015 and proving it in Coors Light Pole Qualifying.

Trailing points leader Kevin Harvick by nine points, Earnhardt Jr. started last season on a streak similar to the reigning champion’s with three top-two finishes in his first three races of the season. He credits former crew chief Steve Letarte’s strategy for their early success a year ago while new crew chief, Greg Ives, is building faster cars in 2015.

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"We finished first, second, second last year, but we did that on luck," Earnhardt said on this week’s "Dale Jr. Download" on Dirty Mo Radio. "We ran about eighth or ninth all race long last year at Vegas and worked around with strategy and got up there and finished second.

"This time, we raced up there. So you can see the cars are better, and I think that our team’s really in good shape."

Earnhardt Jr. praised Ives and the crew as he looks forward to getting his first points win with the new team. The No. 88 went to Victory Lane at Daytona in the first Budweiser Duel qualifying race for the Daytona 500.

"I back the crew chief," Earnhardt said. "Everything he wants to do. He sees the race from a different vantage point than I do so I’m always going to back him. Greg’s doing a great job. The cars are fast."

Those fast cars have led him to starts of third, ninth and fourth to begin 2015 compared to starts of ninth, 20th and 14th at Daytona, Atlanta and Las Vegas last year. Over an entire season, Earnhardt has never had a single-digit average when it comes to starting position. His career best 10.3 average start came in his first season at Hendrick Motorsports in 2008.

"We haven’t been great at qualifying over the last several years, and we just didn’t know what was wrong," Earnhardt said. "We never found anything that worked. But over the last two weeks, we’ve been real comfortable. We’ve had good speed. We just want to get into that last round. That helps us choose a real good pit stall, and it makes the race a lot easier to call when you start toward the front. That’s been a pleasant surprise, I guess."

Two third-place finishes and a fourth in the first three races of his 16th full-time campaign in the Sprint Cup Series have made Earnhardt hungrier for a win. But thirst, rather than hunger, is what’s on his mind when it comes to his crew.

"We’re having some good, consistent stops," Earnhardt said. "We’ve got a lot of new guys on that team, and they’re a good job. They seem to be jelling really well together, and I’m ready to get ’em drunk after a win. I’m ready to win one."

A victory could come Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX), where Earnhardt has two wins in 25 starts. And Auto Club Speedway is in his sights a week later.

"We should have another couple good cars," Earnhardt said. "Hopefully the car will be good in Phoenix, and Fontana’s a race I’ve been really looking forward to trying to win. Can’t wait to get out there and see what kind of speed and comfort we’ve got. I really enjoy racing around that track with the grooves and multi-grooves it has."

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Driver, wife post tweet during visit to Kyle Busch Motorsports

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Kyle Busch took a "field trip" with wife Samantha to Kyle Busch Motorsports on Wednesday, and the couple with a son on the way posted a video during their visit.

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The 29-year-old driver, who suffered a compact fracture to his right lower leg and a mid-foot fracture of his left foot during an accident in the Alert Today Florida 300 XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 21, traded soft casts for walking boots on Tuesday. In the video, he is in a wheelchair with Samantha standing by his side.

"I’m doing good — just out and about, trying to get out and get some different sights," Kyle said. "But also, progress is going well. It just is what it is. It’s going to be the way it is from 2,000 years ago. Bones only heal so fast so we’ve got plenty of things to look forward to though in the next couple months. Baby Busch is on his way."

The proud father-to-be kisses his wife, who expresses her thanks to fans and the industry for their support.

"I want to thank you guys for all the well wishes and all the social media," Samantha said. "Me and the little man are doing good too, and we’re having fun taking care of this one, and it’s been a learning experience so we just thank you guys all for your support and your prayers and we’re hanging in there."

Watch the entire video below.

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SAFER barrier to be installed in Turn 1, Turn 4; asphalt in Turn 1

RELATED: Learn about the SAFER barrier

Daytona International Speedway announced Wednesday that it plans to install SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier and lay down asphalt to improve safety at the World Center of Racing in advance of its July race weekend.

The announcement come less than a month after Kyle Busch suffered a compact fracture to his right lower leg and a mid-foot fracture of his left foot following an accident in the Alert Today Florida 300 XFINITY Series race.

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In a statement, the track said it "performed an extensive review of the facility and developed a significant plan for additional safety initiatives" with its parent company, International Speedway Corporation (ISC), and NASCAR.

Before NASCAR returns to Daytona for July 4th weekend and the Subway Firecracker 250 XFINITY race and the Coke Zero 400 Sprint Cup race, it will implement the following measures:

· Additional 20,000 square feet of asphalt in Turn 1
· Realignment of a portion of the inside retaining wall from infield road course exit to Turn 1
· Installation of SAFER barrier (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) on realigned retaining wall and existing retaining wall in Turn 1
· Installation of SAFER barrier on retaining wall at pit road exit
· Installation of SAFER barrier between the exit of Turn 4 to pit road entry

The realignment of the retaining wall in Turn 1 and installation of SAFER barrier on the realigned and existing retaining wall in Turn 1 address the area where Busch hit the wall.

Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III, who vowed to eventually ring the entire racing surface with SAFER barrier after Busch’s accident on Feb. 21, also said SAFER barrier would be installed on the backstretch if possible.

"In addition, based on material availability and timing, we will install SAFER barrier on the outside backstretch wall and will complete as much as possible prior to the July NASCAR weekend," Chitwood said. "Following the July races, we will complete any remaining installation of SAFER barrier on the outside backstretch wall, and continue to install SAFER barrier on the remaining areas of the property.

"We will provide additional updates regarding our safety initiatives as circumstances warrant. The safety of the competitors and our fans is our top priority."

While much of Daytona’s 2.5-mile track features the impact-absorbing SAFER barrier, the area struck by Busch’s car did not. His No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing car skidded across grass into the infield retaining wall in Turn 1. Busch has missed the first three races of the season and is out for an undetermined time with Matt Crafton sitting in for him at the Daytona 500 and David Ragan filling the role in the No. 18 Sprint Cup ride.

"We should have had a SAFER barrier there today; we did not," Chitwood said in February. "We’re going to fix that. We’re going to fix that right now."

"This is not going to happen again," he continued. "We’re going to live up to our responsibility. We’re going to fix this and it starts right now."

Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the first NASCAR-sanctioned track to put the barriers in place, completing its initial installation in May of 2002. A second generation of the barrier was installed at IMS in ’05.

Kansas Speedway completed its first SAFER barrier project in August of ’04 and other NASCAR-sanctioned facilities have since upgraded their facilities to include the system as well.

Since the season-opening weekend at Daytona, tracks have added safety measures to their facilities and continue to investigate ways to make their venues safer.

However, no NASCAR-sanctioned track currently features the energy-reducing materials on all of its interior and exterior walls.

NASCAR.com’s Kenny Bruce contributed to this article.

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Track announces direct impact of $417 million, indirect of $1.4 billion from 2012-14

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The Bristol Tennessee/Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Bristol Motor Speedway announced Wednesday that track events have accounted for nearly half a billion dollars in direct impact over the past three years.

The World’s Fastest Half-Mile and its dragway accounted for more than $417 million in direct economic impact from 2012 to 2014, according to research derived from racing and related events held on-site, charitable events and tax revenue. The indirect economic impact of the facility on the regional economy was valued at $1.4 billion.

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"Our community, along with numerous others in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, reaps the benefits of having a partner such as Bristol Motor Speedway in our backyard," Joy Madison, president and CEO of the Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce, said in a Bristol Motor Speedway release. "Visitors who come to our area for a race experience are also spending money in our communities, and it’s made a significant impact on our region and all neighboring states."

In addition to Madison, the track welcomed representatives from local chambers of commerce and tourism officials from the 18-county region that makes up Bristol’s local footprint.

"One of the perks of working at BMS is that we come in contact with hundreds of thousands of people every year," Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager for Bristol Motor Speedway, said in a track release. "For each of these individuals, their trip to Bristol isn’t limited to their time at the Speedway or Dragway. Instead, it includes their interactions and experiences while staying in hotels, dining at local restaurants, filling up at the gas station, shopping at the grocery store, visiting local points of interest, and much more.

"We are extremely humbled and grateful to the regional community and businesses that set the stage for this kind of impact."

Looking ahead to Sept. 10, 2016, BMS will become college football’s largest venue as the short track hosts the "Battle at Bristol" between Virginia Tech and the University of Tennessee. The event is expect to provide a direct impact of $125 million and an indirect impact of over $439 million.

As the track prepares to host its first of two race weekends this year, highlighted by the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race on April 19 (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Caldwell announced the expansion of its open-air box seats in Turn 1 as well as expanded park-and-ride option for fans.
Boxes at The Edge were introduced in August 2014, and off-season construction has led to additional boxes, which includes access to The Edge Deck just 22 feet from the wheel fence. Amenities for the unique experience include plush seats, in-box attendant service, a Racing Electronics headset and scanner, a pre-race track walk pass and a $25 Levy food credit. For more information, visit BristolTix.com.

RallyBus, a crowd-powered, on-demand event travel company, will provide four Tri-Cities park-and-ride locations in Bristol, Virginia, Johnson City and Blountville, Tennessee and a soon-to-be-named site in Kingsport, Tennessee. To reserve a space for Saturday, April 18 or Sunday, April 19 and learn more about a reduced price of $20 per round-trip ticket, visit Rallybus.net/MyBristol.

The existing Sugar Hollow Park park-and-ride, located at Lee Highway off Exit 7 in Bristol, Virginia, will continue without reservations for $20 round-trip shuttle service to BMS. Buses depart at the top of the hour, beginning at 9 a.m., on Saturday and Sunday of race weekend.

Free parking with free transportation to the speedway will remain available at the Speedway Parking and Camping lot at the corner of White Top Road and Highway 394 and the Whitetop Creek Park lot located off of Highway 394 on Sportsway Drive.

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Busch set to return to SHR’s No. 41 this weekend at Phoenix

RELATED: NASCAR official release

NASCAR reinstated Kurt Busch on Wednesday, 12 days after the suspended driver agreed to the sanctioning body’s terms and conditions necessary to restore his competition license.

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Busch addressed the media for the first time Wednesday afternoon, taking a handful of questions. He remained steadfast in his innocence and said his focus is on competition going forward, believing every bit that he could still win races and qualify for the Chase.

"What I was accused of was a complete fabrication and I never wavered through this whole process because of the confidence in the truth," Busch said. "I had the support of Gene Haas and everyone at SHR and that’s where my focus has been in the racing side of it. I never lost that confidence and drive. It’s been a humbling experience but it’s made me more focused and determined."

The decision to approve Busch for all NASCAR-related activity comes six days after the Delaware Attorney General’s office declined to file criminal charges against him over an alleged incident of domestic violence. The move also clears the way for Busch to return to the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 Chevrolet in time for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.

NASCAR also waived — for the length of Busch’s suspension — the requirement that a driver must compete in all championship events of the current season to be eligible for The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

"As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch‘s return to full status as a NASCAR member," said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "We therefore have decided to move him to indefinite probation and waive the Chase requirement. He has fully complied with our reinstatement program during his suspension and the health care expert who conducted his evaluation recommended his immediate return.

"We have made it very clear to Kurt Busch our expectations for him moving forward, which includes participation in a treatment program and full compliance with all judicial requirements as a result of his off-track behavior."

RELATED: NASCAR’s official release

Busch is under indefinite probation subject to additional mandatory requirements that include but are not limited to participation in a treatment program and full compliance with any judicial requirements placed upon him.

Regan Smith, a regular in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, served as interim driver of the Stewart-Haas No. 41 for the first three races of the season. Smith was originally listed Monday as the driver of the No. 41 in this Sunday’s CampingWorld.com 500 (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX) at Phoenix, but crew chief Tony Gibson thanked Smith and welcomed back Busch in a social media post.

Meanwhile, Stewart-Haas Racing released the following statement: "We appreciate the steps Kurt Busch has made while following NASCAR’s process for reinstatement. He has taken this path seriously, which allowed him to return to our race team. With his reinstatement and the conclusion by the Delaware Attorney General to not file charges, our focus is on the future."

Jim Campbell, Chevrolet vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, released this statement: "Now that Kurt Busch has been reinstated by NASCAR and is able to fulfill his obligations associated with our agreement, we have lifted our suspension and will continue to monitor the situation."

Busch was suspended Feb. 20 for two violations in the NASCAR Rule Book — Actions detrimental to stock car racing; and 12.8: Behavioral penalty — after a Delaware family court commissioner released his findings in a civil disposition, saying that a "preponderance of the evidence" indicated that Busch "committed an act of domestic violence" last September at Dover International Speedway. The penalty was upheld in two appeals heard Feb. 21.
 
Busch applied for reinstatement Feb. 27, agreeing to the terms and conditions set forth by NASCAR, which created the guidelines for Busch’s road back to competition based on recommendations from an outside expert.

David Higdon, NASCAR’s vice president of Integrated Marketing Communications, said last Thursday’s decision by the Delaware Department of Justice not to bring charges against Busch removed "a significant impediment" to his path back to being a NASCAR member in good standing.

Busch released a statement last Thursday commending the Delaware attorney general’s office for its decision, thanking his supporters, but also expressing his desire to return to the cockpit.
 
"I am grateful that the prosecutors in Delaware listened, carefully considered the evidence, and after a thorough investigation decided to not file criminal charges against me," Busch’s statement read. "I wish to thank my family, friends, fans, and race team who stood by me throughout this nightmare with their unwavering support. Thanks also goes to my legal team for making sure that the truth got out and was fully provided to the prosecutors. As I have said from the beginning, I did not commit domestic abuse. I look forward to being back in racing as soon as possible and moving on with my life."

Busch’s ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll released this statement regarding Wednesday’s reinstatement: "Even though Kurt remains on indefinite probation under this decision, I’m deeply concerned about the message NASCAR is sending by letting him compete for the championship after he was found by a judge to have committed an act of domestic violence. But I am gratified, at least, that NASCAR’s decision comes with the mandatory condition that he follow through on the treatment he so clearly needs. My work with the Armed Forces Foundation on veteran treatment courts has made me a strong believer in the rehabilitation process. But it has also taught me that rehabilitation takes time and can only come after you’ve taken full responsibility for your actions.

"Though this continues to be a difficult time for me, I remain committed to standing up for my integrity and seeking full justice."

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Johnson doesn’t participate, but his No. 48 does

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CONCORD, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson wasn’t participating in Wednesday’s open test at Charlotte Motor Speedway, even though a No. 48 Chevrolet was making laps on the 1.5-mile track.

Johnson, a six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, was 115 miles or so away, taking part in a “fun run” at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway with students in the Go Far Running Club of Rich Acres Elementary School.

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The No. 48 entry, being driven by Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kasey Kahne, was one of three cars taking part in the test that was running wheel force transducers, data-gathering devices that provide significant information to Goodyear, the auto makers and the teams. 

There was a stark white Ford (from Roush Fenway Racing) and a flat-black Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing) running the WFT pieces as well. 

The No. 48 entry wasn’t a car that the team would use in competition, Keith Rodden, crew chief for driver Kasey Kahne, said. It’s simply a test vehicle provided by HMS.

According to Chevrolet officials, other teams in their group will supply a similar vehicle at future tests, depending on which teams are scheduled to take part. 

The crew working on the car Wednesday was made up of members from Kahne’s own team as well as HMS employees that will eventually work with XFINITY Series champion Chase Elliott when he makes the move to Sprint Cup next season, according to Rodden. 

"The 48 (team) isn’t here, that’s the car we use because you have to retrofit it," he said. "It’s a little easier to get all the drivers’ seats in and out of that car. We don’t have one car per every car number (at HMS) for wheel force (testing)."

According to the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rulebook, one open wheel force transducer (WFT) vehicle per manufacturer is allowed for open team tests and team staffing for the car "is at OEM discretion."

The vehicles must be driven by one of the open team test drivers (a driver not already taking part in the test would not be allowed to participate). However, the driver does not have to be the same driver used in the NASCAR-approved tire test held prior to the open test. 

The wheel force transducer is "a giant load cell that the tire is built around on the rim," Rodden said, "that tells them how much vertical load there is, how much lateral load there is.

"There are also sensors that hang off of it that can tell you the camber angle and the slip angle on the track.

"NASCAR allows Goodyear to test all the tires and in turn Goodyear sends the tire data to the OEMS and they distribute it to us." 

It’s one more way, he said, for teams to acquire "a little bit more real-world data."

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Keselowski: ‘Testing is like a lottery ticket’

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CONCORD, N.C. — More than one dozen NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams spent Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, validating information gleaned from simulation programs while testing on a track and a tire that they will see approximately two months from now.

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The open test, part of NASCAR National Series Unified Testing Program for 2015, provides one team from each Sprint Cup organization the opportunity to participate. It is the second open test conducted this season, following NASCAR’s elimination of private team testing at the conclusion of 2014.

"Just being able to try things and look at the data acquisition and see exactly what it did," Keith Rodden, crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne said of the advantages of the test. "Because on a race weekend we don’t get to run those sensors so you always have some questions.

"When I run tests, I try to make big changes, I don’t try to ‘Happy Hour’ it and try to run fast. I don’t really care what (speeds) we’re running today … we’re trying to make big picture changes, do things to the car to make it act differently. Being able to look at that data that comes right off the car when we come in is really valuable.

"The second part of that is being able to correlate your simulation tool to the actual track data. That’s the biggest advantage."

Sixteen cars were on the track during the day-long session — including one from each manufacturer running data-gathering wheel force transducers. In addition to Kahne, drivers participating were Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Racing), Aric Almirola (Richard Petty Motorsports), Joey Logano (Team Penske), Jamie McMurray (Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates), Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing), Brian Scott (RAB Racing), Ryan Blaney (Wood Brothers Racing), Martin Truex Jr. (Furniture Row Racing), Michael McDowell (Leavine Family Racing), Clint Bowyer (Michael Waltrip Racing) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Roush Fenway Racing) and JJ Yeley (BK Racing).

A one-day Goodyear tire test was conducted on Tuesday, and Almirola was one of four drivers taking part in that session as well. 

"We’ve just been running through a lot of setup things and a lot of aero stuff and a lot of things that we kind of came up with over the winter and we’ve had a lot of questions about, whether they were going to be better or not," the RPM driver said. "It’s hard when the wind tunnel tells you one thing – sometimes the race track agrees and sometimes it doesn’t, so we’ve just been kind of validating some stuff on the race track that we’ve seen in the wind tunnel … validating some stuff that we’ve been seeing in our new simulation software and kind of correlating that to the real world aspect at the race track. 

"It’s been a great test for us as far as those things are concerned." 

Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR’s Vice President for Innovation and Racing Development, said such open team tests were helpful to the sanctioning body, but primarily for the teams’ benefit.

Three elements, he said, stand out. Unlike previous tests conducted prior to the ’15 testing program, teams did not test at tracks where Sprint Cup races were held, and they tested on tires that likely wouldn’t be used. That combination limited the amount of knowledge that could be gained.

"We’ve got a lot of cars on the track," Stefanyshyn said, "so we can really get our head around those and make sure those tires are going to work well."

Stefanyshyn also said such tests are able to be conducted in a more cost-efficient manner for teams "and we provide them with a higher level of service as they do all this."

Brad Keselowski, the 2012 series champion, wasn’t testing, but was on hand at CMS Wednesday.

"You never know what you might learn or stumble across," the Team Penske driver said. "Testing is like a lottery ticket – you might win a $1 scratch-off, or you might get lucky and win $3-4 million." 

There have been times, he said, when he departed a test thinking it had been a complete waste of time, but others that proved to be more valuable.

"I distinctly remember a test before the Kansas race (in ’12)," he said, "and I really feel like what we learned at that test won us the championship."

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