NASCAR stages road course test at Charlotte Motor Speedway

People can scream for short tracks all they want, nothing wrong with them it's a different race. But the monumental sized tracks owned by conglomerates, that can multi use their facilities aren't going to go away. They aren't the ones that are closing and they are a plus to city councils instead of easily mandated out of existence by small pressure groups and developers
 
StandOnIt said:
To it's credit I was looking at road courses lengths. It is on par with the Indy road course, but I guarantee it will race better. It is .1 miles smaller than the Daytona roadie and there have been some great races there over the years. The Charlotte track is about in the middle length wise comparing all of the existing working road courses in the U.S. With what they have learned over the years about building and designing racing courses, I can't see it being a flop. Never can tell the future IMSA and IndyCars could be using it soon.
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There's no reason for IMSA or IndyCar to use it, they have plenty of "countryside courses" already on the schedule. And while the length may be similar to Daytona they're two very different layouts.
 
FLRacingFan said:
There's no reason for IMSA or IndyCar to use it, they have plenty of "countryside courses" already on the schedule. And while the length may be similar to Daytona they're two very different layouts.
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I don't believe I said they could or couldn't. I don't know how much money could be made or lost for either to consider that facility. But the track could hold a race for either. I didn't say it was different, I said it was similar in length, it isn't a clone of any track. They have had numerous experts involved in the design and testing at Charlotte. It's going to race well.
 
What I am worried about is that if it's even a marginal improvement over the Charlotte oval (which says very little) they'll just halfass everything and instead of working on the cars or getting an actual road course or two in there we'll be racing on half-baked rovals for a not insignificant portion of the schedule. From the comments made by Pocono recently it already sounds like they're being encouraged to upgrade their infield roval layouts to preserve a second date. If this is anything more than a stopgap I'm not sure how it's a vehicle for actual positive change.
 
StandOnIt said:
I don't believe I said they could or couldn't. I don't know how much money could be made or lost for either to consider that facility. But the track could hold a race for either. I didn't say it was different, I said it was similar in length, it isn't a clone of any track. They have had numerous experts involved in the design and testing at Charlotte. It's going to race well.
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Sorry, I just can't buy that outright. The layout doesn't look conducive to passing to me, and the removal of a very deep braking zone into turn 1 bothers me. The chicane will likely force things to be single-file from the exit of oval turn 4 through to the entrance of the infield. There are plenty of modern track designers (hello, Tilke) that can't design great tracks with a blank slate, I don't know why trying to carve one into an oval would be any more successful.
 
FLRacingFan said:
What I am worried about is that if it's even a marginal improvement over the Charlotte oval (which says very little) they'll just halfass everything and instead of working on the cars or getting an actual road course or two in there we'll be racing on half-baked rovals for a not insignificant portion of the schedule. From the comments made by Pocono recently it already sounds like they're being encouraged to upgrade their infield roval layouts to preserve a second date. If this is anything more than a stopgap I'm not sure how it's a vehicle for actual positive change.
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I've long wanted Pocono to use its infield for one of its two races. I wouldn't object to using the road course capabilities of any track that has them and has two dates for one of its weekends (I'm talking about you, Daytona).

EDIT: Okay, that's not true. I'd like to see ALL Daytona races abandon the oval, not just one. :D
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I've long wanted Pocono to use its infield for one of its two races. I wouldn't object to using the road course capabilities of any track that has them and has two dates for one of its weekends (I'm talking about you, Daytona).
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I agree. Pocono would be an excellent road course venue, IMO. Two long straightaways, high speeds in Nascar 1 and Nascar 2, and a twisty section. I'm not sure about Charlotte (I'm cautiously optimistic) but I'm pretty sure about Pocono. Bring it on!
 
Dover 200 laps on the concrete 200 laps on the harness track, make it happen
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I've long wanted Pocono to use its infield for one of its two races. I wouldn't object to using the road course capabilities of any track that has them and has two dates for one of its weekends (I'm talking about you, Daytona).

EDIT: Okay, that's not true. I'd like to see ALL Daytona races abandon the oval, not just one. :D
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It will be interesting to see the fate of some of the current tracks in the next 5-10 years.
 
LewTheShoe said:
I agree. Pocono would be an excellent road course venue, IMO. Two long straightaways, high speeds in Nascar 1 and Nascar 2, and a twisty section. I'm not sure about Charlotte (I'm cautiously optimistic) but I'm pretty sure about Pocono. Bring it on!
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They already have a clockwise course that uses the straightaways but uses the infield to bypass NASCAR 3 and I recall 1 also. One advantage is that they already use it for weekend warriors, so the ends of the retaining walls may already be configured for clockwise safety.
 
I think they have done a bunch of re habbing to the road courses lately at Pocono. It's a possibility in the future for cup cars, after all it is privately owned so it wouldn't be a sure thing without Nascar's approval, but with the right safety upgrades and I think they did some of that, it could be a go in the future. I would like to see it happen, I think most long term fans want more variety of tracks to race on. Xfinity has been getting good results for their different road racing schedule.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
They already have a clockwise course that uses the straightaways but uses the infield to bypass NASCAR 3 and I recall 1 also. One advantage is that they already use it for weekend warriors, so the ends of the retaining walls may already be configured for clockwise safety.
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This (clockwise)...
PoconoRoadCourse.png
 
LewTheShoe said:
This (clockwise)...
View attachment 29488
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Yeah, I've also seen a configuration where they take that last cutoff before 1 and come back to the front stretch near pit entrance. That adds braking zones at the infield entrance and at that last left-hander.

But I'd be happy to see them try either route. There are so many possibilities, why stick to just the outside?
 
NASCAR Apologist said:
I am not sure what you're talking about as no doubt that TV, legal streamers, illegal streamers, and fans in attendance make up more than 2 million people!

As for Charlotte I really do believe NASCAR is onto something here. It would not surprise me if in due time it is regarded as one of the best road races on the planet. The circuit design just looks impeccable.
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I love the positive outlook you bring to this board. (We could use more of that here.) But on this particular subject, I think you are slightly over estimating the success of this design. I would love to be wrong on this, but I really don't see much opportunity for passing. That being said, if you are a fan of the "chrome horn", you may be well pleased with outcome of this design. One of the biggest factors of great road course design, is elevation change. Uphill, and downhill, are little noticed, but take power, and skill, in order to make a fast lap. That is one thing all rovals lack. I'm not saying you can't have a good race without them, but it does make it a little more difficult.
 
StandOnIt said:
I think most long term fans want more variety of tracks to race on. Xfinity has been getting good results for their different road racing schedule.
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And yet NASCAR refuses to consider a one mile dirt track to race on. This band-aid approach will continue for as long as Brian France, and Bruton Smith, have their fingers in NASCAR's pie. (You can thank B.S. for segment racing.)
 
NASCAR Apologist said:
I am not sure what you're talking about as no doubt that TV, legal streamers, illegal streamers, and fans in attendance make up more than 2 million people!

As for Charlotte I really do believe NASCAR is onto something here. It would not surprise me if in due time it is regarded as one of the best road races on the planet. The circuit design just looks impeccable.
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I think so also, it is going to be like a short track, speeds will be low in the infield any mistake and the trailing car can move the leading car off line, good chances to pass in braking zones. A bit of a nudge here or there and a car will be able to pass if thy want to. Oh yeah it is going to be great for stock cars.
 
Yogisd1 said:
And yet NASCAR refuses to consider a one mile dirt track to race on. This band-aid approach will continue for as long as Brian France, and Bruton Smith, have their fingers in NASCAR's pie. (You can thank B.S. for segment racing.)
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I'll ask a stupid question: where is a one-mile dirt track?
 
kkfan91 said:
ARCA has 2 of them on the schedule Springfield Illinois is one of them I know
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I've watched the last two years worth. State fair was going on I believe. Both races weren't that great racing wise and the dust was terrible. There is a good reason why Nascar got away from them years ago IMO. Need huge tires and wings.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I've long wanted Pocono to use its infield for one of its two races. I wouldn't object to using the road course capabilities of any track that has them and has two dates for one of its weekends (I'm talking about you, Daytona).

EDIT: Okay, that's not true. I'd like to see ALL Daytona races abandon the oval, not just one. :D
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Meh, only if it's the one @LewTheShoe posted. Ideally I'd like to retain as much of the oval portion as possible. A couple of the Pocono layouts /r/NASCAR was circlejerking over looked pretty terrible. Pocono's oval is unique enough to retain two dates, although NASCAR may feel otherwise.

Daytona is the roval I'd actually like to see but that'll never happen.
 
FLRacingFan said:
Meh, only if it's the one @LewTheShoe posted. Ideally I'd like to retain as much of the oval portion as possible. A couple of the Pocono layouts /r/NASCAR was circlejerking over looked pretty terrible. Pocono's oval is unique enough to retain two dates, although NASCAR may feel otherwise.

Daytona is the roval I'd actually like to see but that'll never happen.
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Pocono is family owned, if they want to use one of their dates and the road course has all the safety requirements, they would have a good chance to have one. Charlotte/Speedway Motor Sports doesn't seen to have any problem, I don't see why Pocono would..
 
The best "roval" course is at new hampshire quite good elevation changes & opportunities to maintain turns NASCAR 1&2 possibly even 3 and 4 for fans with minor reconfiguration with very solid passing zones, a fantastic banked corner on top of the hill. It's a damn shame they're just abandoning it in the fall.
 
They're probably adding back the backstretch chicane LOL.

CMS officially announced the addition of the infield road course event in May, but there have been some alterations made to it since then, including the addition of a chicane off of Turn 4.

Grant said Goodyear “has had an idea” of the course specifics from which to work, though it has not been finalized.

“We do have an idea and we’ve had a lot of dialogue with NASCAR,” he said. “The way we understand at the moment, they have added a chicane so cars wouldn’t enter Turn 3 so fast.”
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https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-goodyear-charlotte-road-course-test-959820/
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Yeah, I've also seen a configuration where they take that last cutoff before 1 and come back to the front stretch near pit entrance. That adds braking zones at the infield entrance and at that last left-hander.

But I'd be happy to see them try either route. There are so many possibilities, why stick to just the outside?
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When I lived in Cali I used to take the Slauson Cutoff but it got tiring getting out of my car, cutting off my Slauson and then getting back in my car.
 
Regarding Pocono....let the carpet bombing begin as the track is a dead dog, IMO.
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
When I lived in Cali I used to take the Slauson Cutoff but it got tiring getting out of my car, cutting off my Slauson and then getting back in my car.
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The problem with cutting off your Slauson is reattaching it.

What's tiring is those gas stations where you have to 'Clean Restroom'.
 
StandOnIt said:
I've watched the last two years worth. State fair was going on I believe. Both races weren't that great racing wise and the dust was terrible. There is a good reason why Nascar got away from them years ago IMO. Need huge tires and wings.
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Agree, not the best racing and I only managed to o watch about if 1/4 of it. Of course they were racing on a horse track I believe and had no banking.
 
sky said:
The best "roval" course is at new hampshire quite good elevation changes & opportunities to maintain turns NASCAR 1&2 possibly even 3 and 4 for fans with minor reconfiguration with very solid passing zones, a fantastic banked corner on top of the hill. It's a damn shame they're just abandoning it in the fall.
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No no no...I speak for most of the Northeast when I say the Cup boys can go to Las Vegas because NHMS will be hosting the biggest short track event in the region next year. It's a year away and the hype I've heard talking to fans and read locally online is off...the...charts.

I bet the crowd will be equal to that of a Cup race as well. Mark my words.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
No no no...I speak for most of the Northeast when I say the Cup boys can go to Las Vegas because NHMS will be hosting the biggest short track event in the region next year. It's a year away and the hype I've heard talking to fans and read locally online is off...the...charts.

I bet the crowd will be equal to that of a Cup race as well. Mark my words.
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Love that they're keeping it alive but it'll never be what it was purse-wise for the stock and modified guys. That was their time to shine on the biggest stage they had to race on.
 
They are adding synthetic grass also around the bus stop. Sure to be an improvement (good design) over Daytona's bus stop where big chunks of turf fly up on the track and potholes occur over the course of the race.
 
StandOnIt said:
They are adding synthetic grass also around the bus stop. Sure to be an improvement (good design) over Daytona's bus stop where big chunks of turf fly up on the track and potholes occur over the course of the race.
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That turf and pot holes are a well deserved penalty for getting off track. I think this track design sucks for stock cars and this new chicane only makes it worse. I think most people are going to be sadly disappointed when they actually see a race there.
 
StandOnIt said:
They are adding synthetic grass also around the bus stop. Sure to be an improvement (good design) over Daytona's bus stop where big chunks of turf fly up on the track and potholes occur over the course of the race.
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I wonder if that's slicker than the real stuff? Will they have to dry it after rain?
 
I think many on here already have their mind made up that this race will be a failure, regardless of its outcome. Personally I think this is a huge step in the right direction to buck the norm. It's obvious that the stagnant schedule is a detriment to the sport. NASCAR/Charlotte is trying to do something to generate interest. That's a win for everyone IMO. I'm hard pressed to think of a memorable fall Charlotte race without looking back at stats. Next falls race there is something that I'm looking forward to. That isn't something that I would have said should the race have remained under its current configuration.
 
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