USA Today via Reuters
Kansas City, Kansas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) leads Joey Logano (22) and Ryan Blaney (12) and Brad Keselowski (2) during the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Kansas City, Kansas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) leads Joey Logano (22) and Ryan Blaney (12) and Brad Keselowski (2) during the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Recently, the NASCAR officials confirmed the Next Gen rules configuration for the 2022 season. This came about after they collated all their data from the pre-season test at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. From there, it was decided that everyone will use the 670 HP package and four-inch rear spoilers.
Needless to say, many of the drivers and teams were really happy about the decision.
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Ready to fire it up, @roushyates. 💪
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) December 21, 2021
— Petty GMS Motorsports (@PettyGMS) December 21, 2021
Oh heck yeah!
Low downforce = 👍😎👍 https://t.co/I9gvbgSV23— Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) December 21, 2021
An Early Christmas present 🎁
😊👍🏻 https://t.co/Z2irWMH0PB— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) December 21, 2021
Lets go, this package was really tough but really fun to race with at the test!! https://t.co/SfcjhcAQEw
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) December 21, 2021
According to Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney, “Really excited for the news. Was great to work together between NASCAR, other drivers and teams to have the best product on the track that we can. Good for drivers, good for fans“. Meanwhile, Christopher Bell was excited to experience lower downforce on the car.
It is also worth mentioning that Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s Brad Keselowski called it an early Christmas Present.
“This is good for me😂”. I’m just laughing because I can tell that @NASCAR sent a memo out for all the drivers to comment. https://t.co/xJ1uhTisZ2
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) December 21, 2021
I’m a racer and will race anything/anytime. This #NextGen car for @NASCAR is an incredible opportunity for drivers to be drivers. Car is new school and old school at the same time. @23XIRacing and @ToyotaRacing are ready to go places! https://t.co/uTUl8pfiDQ
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) December 21, 2021
We can’t wait to put on a show for y’all next season 👏🏻 https://t.co/zOlIwKKUGV
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) December 21, 2021
In a similar vein, 23XI Racing’s new recruit Kurt Busch is also thrilled. He acknowledged that it will allow drivers to really use their skills to the best of their abilities. In his words, it feels like new school and old school at the same time.
Overall, it appears that the reception for the new regulations is largely positive.
*everyone liked that*
We can’t wait to get on track! 2022 we coming for ya!! @bjmcleod78 🔥🔥 https://t.co/EYogn2fLLI
— Live Fast Motorsports (@teamlivefast) December 21, 2021
Stage is set. Time to get 2 work 🤘🏻 https://t.co/OfbZ4lbmSp
— Austin Cindric (@AustinCindric) December 21, 2021
YES! This is awesome. Gonna put the racing back in drivers hands. This is awesome https://t.co/aImKZBnsrx
— Matt Tifft (@matt_tifft) December 21, 2021
What do you think about the @NASCAR #NextGen rules configuration that was officially announced today? @StenhouseJr https://t.co/Nx9iXNk4ql
— JTG Daugherty Racing (@JTGRacing) December 21, 2021
What else did the NASCAR drivers say?
On an interesting note, some drivers are also predicting a bit of carnage. According to Corey LaJoie, there are two schools of thought in play. Either it promotes a lot of overtaking and duels for the race lead, or drivers could potentially lose control and crash out. One thing is for sure, everyone is itching to hop back into the cars and go racing.
February 6th simply cannot come fast enough and it will be an agonizing two months.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 26, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Interestingly, a few in the NASCAR community were expecting this for a long time. Furthermore, many drivers are relishing the challenge of slipping and sliding around on the 1.5-mile tracks. This includes drivers like Chase Briscoe, Cole Custer, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Can’t wait to race this 🔥 https://t.co/0CPgjsFels
— Todd Gilliland (@ToddGilliland_) December 21, 2021
Is this news? DBC said it would be 670 almost everywhere months ago, all you gotta do is listen! 😉
It’ll be fun to see how it plays out at the first 1.5 mile track. Want the best way to experience it? Click here 👇🏻https://t.co/ISMyGAwcA2 https://t.co/o6c6Aylwup
— Freddie Kraft (@FreddieKraft) December 21, 2021
Go see the first mile and a half with this package in style. Viva @LVMotorSpeedway https://t.co/yZusnPwRhP https://t.co/2X4bhacOCM
— Brett Griffin (@SpotterBrett) December 21, 2021
The rules for 2022 are set! 👏#NASCAR https://t.co/LosQpxrhhT
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) December 21, 2021
This is great news @NASCAR 2022 is going to be fun to watch💯 I can’t wait for the season to get started. https://t.co/XiG9QfT5Ax
— Mark Martin (@markmartin) December 21, 2021
Awesome 👍🏼👊🏼 https://t.co/eY00fq0bVm
— William Byron (@WilliamByron) December 21, 2021
We can't wait to see our drivers behind the wheel again! It's going to be a great show! https://t.co/u3qHLQJKZr
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) December 21, 2021
Pumped for @NASCAR’s decision here! Going to be some slipping and sliding around👌🏻 https://t.co/5uBvXCxcxc
— Cole Custer (@ColeCuster) December 21, 2021
Best possible outcome. This is going to be good. https://t.co/AHc9juTqaD
— Justin Marks (@JustinMarksDG) December 21, 2021
READ MORE: Kevin Harvick’s Crew Chief Reacts to NASCAR’s Rules for the 2022 Next Gen Cars
