NASCAR Sticks With Small Fuel Tank At Lowe's
After a successful two-day test at Lowe's Motor Speedway this week, many drivers lobbied NASCAR to reverse its decision to use smaller fuel tanks during the two weeks of racing there later this month. NASCAR isn't budging.
The 14-gallon tanks will remain in place for both the Nextel All-Star Challenge and the Coca-Cola 600, Cup director John Darby said Friday. Cars generally use a 22-gallon tank, but NASCAR mandated that smaller ones be used at the repaved North Carolina facility as a precautionary measure. After 47 drivers spent two days testing a new tire on the new surface, many thought the smaller cells weren't needed.
"Yes, teams were pleased with the test, but we firmly believe we have to go through an entire event weekend to really see how everything is going to hold up," Darby said. "Is the small cell absolutely necessary to race there? Probably not. But we're going to sit tight, because to go back and unwind what we've already decided would not be fair."
A smaller fuel tank means cars will have to pit more often for gas, preventing long runs that would put stress on the tires. The tires did not hold up well at Lowe's last year, and there were 37 cautions during its two premier events. NASCAR mandated the smaller cells after Jimmie Johnson wrecked during a Goodyear tire test there last month. But the tire company was able to develop a harder compound it is confident will hold on long runs.
Darby said NASCAR will wait until after the 600 to pass its judgment. "It's possible we can make a fuel cell change between May and October (Lowe's fall race)," he said. "But we're not going to risk a repeat of last October before we know for sure how things stand."(Sporting News)
