NASCAR held the final NextGen test on Tuesday and Wednesday at Phoenix Raceway.
NASCAR ran the final Next Gen test on Tuesday and Wednesday at Phoenix Raceway as the seventh-generation cars got to sample the track ahead of the inaugural race at the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The next time the Next Gen cars drive on a track, they will be in a race.
Earlier this month, another two-day test was held at Daytona International Speedway, where the first points race with the Next Generation car will take place in the form of the Daytona 500 on 20 February. Phoenix, on the other hand, is the season’s final event, taking place on November 6th.
In the first day of testing, reigning champion Kyle Larson was the fastest, while Ryan Blaney took the lead in the second test session. With the exception of Spire Motorsports, MBM Motorsports, and Rick Ware Racing, most of the vehicles that tested at Daytona returned for Phoenix. Stewart-Haas Racing, a RWR ally, sent two cars, piloted by Kevin Harvick and Chase Briscoe.
It wasn’t exactly a spotless session as Kyle Busch spun at turn four on Tuesday but avoided hitting the wall. A day later, Todd Gilliland was not so lucky, as his spin ended in a crash.
“We may have some general ideas, but there’s nothing concrete yet until we go out there and race,” said Joey Logano.
“When you say comfortable, I’m far from comfortable. There’s nothing I really know for certain is coming my way,” he added.
“I don’t have, honestly, one thing that bothers me about the car,” opined Daniel Suárez. “That’s my honest opinion, so I’m happy. I’m happy for the change, I’m happy for where the sport is heading, and I can’t wait to get started.”
NASCAR NextGen Results Phoenix Raceway
Day 1 results
Position | Number | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Best Time | Margin | Best Speed |
1 | 5 | Kyle Larson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 27.329 | Leader | 131.728 |
2 | 8 | Tyler Reddick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 27.474 | + .145 | 131.033 |
3 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 27.500 | + .171 | 130.909 |
4 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | JTG Daugherty Racing | Chevrolet | 27.534 | + .205 | 130.747 |
5 | 23 | Kurt Busch/Bubba Wallace | 23XI Racing | Toyota | 27.563 | + .234 | 130.610 |
6 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske | Ford | 27.583 | + .254 | 130.515 |
7 | 17 | Chris Buescher | RFK Racing | Ford | 27.592 | + .263 | 130.473 |
8 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 27.611 | + .282 | 130.383 |
9 | 4 | Kevin Harvick | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 27.648 | + .319 | 130.208 |
10 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 27.743 | + .414 | 129.762 |
11 | 1 | Daniel Suárez | Trackhouse Racing Team | Chevrolet | 27.781 | + .452 | 129.585 |
12 | 19 | Martin Truex Jr. | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 27.784 | + .455 | 129.571 |
13 | 14 | Chase Briscoe | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 27.809 | + .480 | 129.454 |
14 | 31 | Daniel Hemric | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 27.848 | + .519 | 129.272 |
15 | 21 | Austin Cindric | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 27.894 | + .565 | 129.060 |
16 | 38 | Michael McDowell | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 28.004 | + .675 | 128.553 |
17 | 42 | Ty Dillon | Petty GMS Motorsports | Chevrolet | 28.147 | + .818 | 127.900 |
18 | 27 | Loris Hezemans | Team Hezeberg | Ford | 28.721 | + 1.392 | 125.344 |
Day 2 results
Position | Number | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Best Time | Margin | Best Speed |
1 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske | Ford | 27.292 | Leader | 131.907 |
2 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 27.327 | + .035 | 131.738 |
3 | 14 | Chase Briscoe | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 27.376 | + .084 | 131.502 |
4 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 27.413 | + .121 | 131.325 |
5 | 4 | Kevin Harvick | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 27.457 | + .165 | 131.114 |
6 | 19 | Martin Truex Jr. | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 27.481 | + .189 | 131.000 |
7 | 38 | Todd Gilliland | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 27.594 | + .302 | 130.463 |
8 | 5 | Kyle Larson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 27.607 | + .315 | 130.402 |
9 | 1 | Ross Chastain | Trackhouse Racing Team | Chevrolet | 27.641 | + .349 | 130.241 |
10 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 27.645 | + .353 | 130.222 |
11 | 17 | Brad Keselowski | RFK Racing | Ford | 27.688 | + .396 | 130.020 |
12 | 23 | Bubba Wallace/Kurt Busch | 23XI Racing | Toyota | 27.705 | + .413 | 129.420 |
13 | 21 | Harrison Burton | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 27.713 | + .421 | 129.903 |
14 | 31 | Justin Haley | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 27.748 | + .456 | 129.739 |
15 | 42 | Ty Dillon | Petty GMS Motorsports | Chevrolet | 27.781 | + .489 | 129.585 |
16 | 8 | Austin Dillon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 27.786 | + .494 | 129.562 |
17 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | JTG Daugherty Racing | Chevrolet | 27.826 | + .534 | 129.375 |
18 | 27 | Loris Hezemans | Team Hezeberg | Ford | 27.928 | + .636 | 128.903 |