All full-time NASCAR teams have spent Wednesday and Thursday at Bristol Motor Speedway testing the Car of Tomorrow.
The Car of Tomorrow hit the track at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday as drivers and teams prepare for the Food City 500 later this month. And whether we like it or not, the Car of Tomorrow is on the verge of becoming the Car of Today.
We have all heard the constant complaints regarding the Car of Tomorrow ever since the car was unveiled. It’s ugly, it’s costly, etc. But lately, it seems as if some fans and drivers are warming up to the new car, which looks more like the Car of Yesteryear.
In fact, Kevin Harvick said that he could see why NASCAR made the decision to phase-in the Car of Tomorrow.
"I think everything has to evolve. Our points system has evolved. Our cars are evolving. The bottom line is, NASCAR has to make the best decision for them. They felt it was time to evolve the car and make it safer, and the teams will figure out the rest…NASCAR didn't get where it is today based on all of our opinions."
Harvick’s teammate Jeff Burton also pointed out the positives with the new car. "I like the fact that it's a safer vehicle. I like the fact that there's more room for the driver. There are a lot of things about that that I really like."
It is vital that these teams become acclimated with the Car of Tomorrow because five of the ten races in the Chase for the Championship are races in which the COT will be used.
On Wednesday during the practice sessions, NASCAR’s Director of Competition John Darby hinted that the Car of Tomorrow could run the full schedule in 2008. "A lot of what's happening is it's settling in to all the competitors that this is the future, this is the car. Why are we going to wait three years? I don't think we will."
So fans, if you are a huge fan of the Car of Today, enjoy the 18 remaining races with the current template, because Homestead could be the official end of an era.
Denny Hamlin has posted the fastest lap so far- 15.706 (122.170 mph)
