NASCAR News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Cup Series drivers want NASCAR to change Turn 8 at COTA to fix dirt problem on track

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated 3/24/24

The NASCAR rules at COTA are a little strange compared to other motorsports, and even other road course tracks on the schedule. There are track limits, only in the esses. Otherwise, drivers are allowed to go pretty much wherever they want.

The only issue with drivers going every which way, Turn 8. In that turn, drivers have found that it is quicker to go put the right side tires off the track and into a groove of dirt. It has led to issues on the track as dirt and debris get onto the paved sections.

So, what can NASCAR do here? Last season there was a caution flag for the dirt problem because it got so bad in the Cup Series race. In the shorter Truck and Xfinity Series races, there was plenty of dirt, but not enough for a caution to be thrown.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports asked various Cup Series drivers about Turn 8 and what NASCAR should do to make the racing better at COTA. Michael McDowell, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric and Corey LaJoie were all adamant about applying track limits in that area or putting curbs in to prevent drivers from going to the dirt.

Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski sees it as a “pick your own poison” situation.

Much of the chatter after Cup qualifying was what to do about Turn 8 and the dirt being kicked up in that area. Thoughts from McDowell, Hamlin, Busch, Cindric, LaJoie and Keselowski on if that area needs track limits or a curb. NASCAR has no plans to change for Sunday. pic.twitter.com/TndAI88H84
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 23, 2024

Based on last season, drivers are skeptical that this won’t become an issue again. NASCAR has a hard decision to make here. For this season, nothing will be added in that area. However, there has been dirt put back into the rut created by yesterday’s races.

Kyle Larson steals a win at COTA in the NASCAR Xfinity Series

While most Cup Series drivers were getting ready for today by looking at film or making sure they got rest, Kyle Larson was racing. Larson, Ty Gibbs, AJ Allmendinger, Shane van Gisbergen, and John Hunter Nemechek are pulling double duty this weekend.

Each of them raced in the Xfinity Series on Saturday. It was another masterclass of Xfinity road course racing. These races have become one of my favorite parts of the season. This package on the road courses produces magic almost every time. NASCAR at COTA has been a lot of fun the last few years overall. This series sticks out, though.

Allmendinger, Gibbs, SVG, and Larson were battling all race. It was exactly what fans had hoped for when the lineups were revealed. Four drivers, all different ages and with different experiences, putting on a show.

This race came down to a double overtime restart. SVG held his own in the first restart but was moved by Austin Hill during the second overtime as they went into Turn 1. Hill got it back going into the last turn as SVG put the bumper to him. And who was waiting with fresher tires in third at the time? Kyle Larson. The Cup Series champ went by both of the leaders and to the finish line to steal one from under their noses.

Larson won the pole but started in the rear of the field for unapproved adjustments. He only led one lap, the last one. He is the only driver to win the pole and the race by leading just a single lap. The previous record for fewest laps led in a race win by a pole winner – Richard Petty. He did it in 1967 at Greenville-Pickens. He led two laps.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: