Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA United Rentals Work United 500 Mar 12, 2023 Avondale, Arizona, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson 5 leads the field for the start of the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Avondale Phoenix Raceway Arizona USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20230312_gav_sv5_077
Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA United Rentals Work United 500 Mar 12, 2023 Avondale, Arizona, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson 5 leads the field for the start of the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Avondale Phoenix Raceway Arizona USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20230312_gav_sv5_077
The 2023 Cup Series season has completed four races, though not all have been equally competitive. Moreover, it has transpired that some drivers have been struggling to adapt to the cars. In light of this, NASCAR spotters Brett Griffin and TJ Majors discussed the issue in the Door Bumper Clear podcast. However, it is worth mentioning that both of them had differing opinions on the matter. There were even comparisons to the Xfinity cars and how different is their handling on the race track.
Talking about the Next Gen cars, Brett Griffin, the spotter for Kaulig Racing, said, “The drivers have their hands full. The few that I’ve talked to said that the cars were harder to drive. We still have the aero issue behind cars, that’s the biggest thing. I do like the fact that the cars are a little harder to drive. I’m never against the drivers having to wheel the things. You watch the Xfinity cars go through the corner sideways, catching it and driving it off the corner.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
“Cup cars are just so stock still. Whenever they wiggle, you can see when they get loose into Turn 3. It’s that quick little twitch and then the rest of your corner’s done too. The Xfinity cars actually drive it sideways off the exit of the corner.”
Majors did not agree with his fellow NASCAR spotter
Interestingly, Brad Keselowski‘s spotter, TJ Majors, had a different take on the whole matter. According to him, the Next Gen cars are not as hard to drive as others are making them out to be. Griffin believes that the cars are really stiff, and that is what makes them difficult to handle.
Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice Mar 10, 2023 Avondale, Arizona, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Aric Almirola 10 leads driver Harrison Burton 21 during practice for the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Avondale Phoenix Raceway Arizona USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20230310_gav_sv5_048
Majors countered, “When you watch these in-car cameras. The more the drivers’ hands are moving, the harder the cars are to drive. I’m telling you right now. The drivers’ hands ain’t moving much, so I don’t think they are ‘that hard to drive.’ I think there’s an edge and you can’t really feel that edge, and all of a sudden you’re wrecking.”
One thing is for sure, the Next Gen Cup Series cars have been subject to much debate. Last year, it took a while for drivers and teams to get used to them from a racing standpoint. This year, it seems that there are still a few kinks to iron out, as evidenced by what the drivers and the two spotters pointed out.
WATCH THIS STORY: NASCAR Community Gets Nostalgic as Kevin Harvick Announces His Retirement
