Does pre-race training make a difference for teams and drivers? Ever since NASCAR decided to limit practice time to 20 minutes, there has been a push for more time for practice laps before qualifying . For NASCAR, this move is seen as a measure to contain racing costs and therefore an important change for the future. However, teams and drivers need more time to set up their cars before heading to the main event.
Although the drivers seem to be unanimous in their opposition, Chase Elliott had a rather interesting perspective on the limited practice sessions leading up to the Wurth 400 race. “So tomorrow my grip level will probably be lower than today, but I don’t think it will completely ruin my training. I think it will continue to help me.”
However, Joe Gibbs Racing ace Christopher Bell was not convinced by the idea of HMS his rival. And he was quick to voice his opinion about the practice runs at Dover Motor Speedway, saying they were useless.
As a result, training sessions at Dover Motor Speedway have become obsolete, according to JGR Star.
Monster Mile is different from other racing he trucks. The concrete surface of the truck reacts to weather conditions. Therefore, his 20 minutes of training in both groups before qualifying does not add any value to the preparation or tuning of the race car. As a result, qualifying is more stressful than practice itself, Bell said in an interview. Walking around the track, covering it with rubber, in conditions similar to what we’ll see on Sunday… So today is all about qualifying and positioning ourselves for tomorrow. But I don’t think anyone really knows what we have until the green flag waves. ” Additionally, the Oklahoma native shared his views on when is the best time for riders to successfully train. “Honestly, I don’t care. I enjoy 20 minutes of practice. Here at Dover, it doesn’t matter, or 20 minutes isn’t enough…but it changes from course to course. Kansas State or Texas in 20 minutes, but one set of tires is enough in Dover. But for me it doesn’t matter.
Given how dismal Bell’s fortunes have been recently after a strong start to the season, a good result at Dover could get him back on track and fighting for wins.
After the win in Phoenix, the No. 20 team improved and looked like a true championship contender. In his first seven starts, the driver achieved five top-10 finishes and a win would secure him a spot in the playoffs. But the past three weeks haven’t been ideal for Bell and his team. He ran into trouble at Martinsville Speedway, had bad luck with his tires and was unable to fight for better position on the track throughout the race.
He ended up finishing the race in last place in 35th place. Heading into Texas, he was expected to recover from a bitter end to last weekend’s race, but problems persisted on the 1.5-mile race course. Bell, trying to go full throttle, lost control of his No. 20 Camry on the second stage, spinning it into the wall. He continued to have accidents towards the end of the race and could only finish 17th.
The same thing happened at Talladega, where he had a terrible accident that forced him to retire from the race on lap 132. He finished in the top 10 in his last two starts at Dover, and considering his many bad results, he would be happy to accept a similar result in today’s race.
