The NASCAR Cup garage is at Darlington Raceway for the 13th race of the 2024 season. 36 drivers are set to challenge each other for the Goodyear 400 win on Sunday with 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick starting on pole. The race is expected be one of the most entertaining events of the Cup season owing to the Next-Gen car and how demanding the track has been for the driver since it’s maiden race.
That’s why the track is called the “Too Tough to Tame.” Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott, despite the tough qualifying he had had, would be challenger on Sunday, if he is able to fend of challenges and get upfront earlier in the race. But a climb from P31 would tough for the 2020 Cup champion, as he can’t afford to push the car beyond a certain limit.
The No:9 Chevy Camero ZL1 driver highlighted the fragile nature of the Next-Gen car because of the suspension components as a major factor of concern for him. He pointed out that there is a fine line between risk and reward at Darlington and the drivers can’t afford to hit the wall veery hard during the race.
These cars are so fragile with the way the suspension components are, even now that they’ve changed them a lot. You just can’t afford to hit the wall very hard. You end up bending something and it can ruin your day. That risk versus reward and the fine line of when to push and how hard to push is important there. Chase Elliott said via Speedway Digest.
Chase Elliott’s crew chief is excited going into the weekend
While talking about the race, Alan Gustafson the crew chief of the No:9 Chevy team pointed out that he is excited to race on a surface that he really likes. He pointed out that they were pretty decent on their last race at the track and that gives him confidence going into this weekend.
I really like the racing surface. In our last race there in the fall, we were pretty decent. We weren't exactly where we wanted to be but we were making strides. That makes me excited to head back this weekend to see the progress we've made since then. Alan Gustafson said.
Darlington is a good track for Chase Elliott to score his second win of 2024 and build some confidence. But the climb from P31 alongside the natural challenges the track offers, will make it a tough outing for him. A top-10 finish would be a good result for them on Sunday.
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