The NASCAR community has recently been actively discussing multiple issues with the Next-Gen cars following the failure of a new aero package introduced in Phoenix that failed to solve traffic issues. Calls for increasing the horsepower and making tires less durable have been huge topics of discussion.
Now NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has added another important topic to their discussion. He wants NASCAR to get rid of shifting’ in the sport. According to the Junior Motorsports co-owner the shifting deprived drivers of the chance to plan their corner lap pace and make a difference by current decision making. This is because shifting is second nature to the drivers according to him.
I’m telling you even with all of that [horsepower talk] I still want them to try and work on getting rid of the shifting. I do not think that even though they are getting to where it’s second nature to them to shift, having to drive into a corner and downshift and then do another shift on the next straightaway, doing that for every single corner, for 500 laps at Martinsville, right. That takes away from your processing on how to set the corner up, how to set up the car in front of you, how to make a difference in the corner. Junior said via Dale Jr. Download.
This has been one of the longtime demands of Junior as he wants the drivers to be more productive on the corners that could make better racing. It might also help them to avoid the gearbox issues that are a major concern for drivers.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. sees shifting as a distraction for NASCAR drivers
Dale Jr. pointed out that NASCAR drivers on the oval are not able to produce solid performance because of the fact that they can’t just focus on corner speed. Junior pointed out that moves made in the corner are vital during the race, hence NASCAR should figure out a way to remove them from ovals
It’s such a distraction from what they really would love to be focusing on. And that is getting the car into the corner deeper and differently or trying to figure out a way to drive the corner uniquely to be able to set up a pass for the car in front of them. And so, I would love for them to continue to try and figure out a way to get the shifting out of the Ovals. Junior said.
NASCAR is in a tough spot right now with active and retired drivers giving them different ideas on how to fix the Next-Gen car issues. It’s up to the sanctioning body to listen to the right advice instead of ignoring all in order to make the right change.
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