NASCAR short track package test pushed back two weeks to Richmond due to weather

Originally NASCAR planned to test a new short track/road course package at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Monday. The idea was to keep some drivers at the track so they could test after the Sunday Cup Series race. Due to possible weather issues, that test is being moved two weeks out to Richmond.

Everyone seems excited about the new splitter and tire test that they had planned. Drivers are ready to get the short-track package right so they can start racing again on those smaller venues.

However, NASCAR is pushing the test back two weeks. Testing would require two days at the track and Tuesday of next week looks to be too rainy to get the test in New Hampshire. So, things are moving to Richmond. Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports broke the news on Twitter.

Because of potential weather impacting this weekend, the short track / road course package test scheduled for Monday and Tuesday now moved to Richmond on the Mon-Tue after the race there in a couple weeks.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 14, 2023

There are a number of things people point to when it comes to “fixing” short-track racing. Some say it is the horsepower. Others say it is the shifting. NASCAR will test out a new package that is designed to cut down on downforce and create more passing in dirty air.

As it stands right now, drivers get caught in dirty air and can’t pass. We have seen drivers in the front of the field distance themselves, even with older tires.

The splitter adjustment, as I understand it, will benefit drivers in dirty air more. They won’t be hindered by it nearly as much. New tires will hopefully create more breakdown of the rubber and more need for teams to be careful on their tires, thus creating more passing opportunities and strategy plays on pit road. Goodyear is debuting a new tire at New Hampshire this weekend following a test earlier in the season.

NASCAR test will hopefully improve racing

Throughout the season, NASCAR tests and does various tweaks to try and improve the racing product. It is something that makes NASCAR one of the leading motorsports series in the world as well as the cause of frustration from time to time.

No matter when the tire and splitter test is done, no matter where – no changes are expected to be made until 2024. So, don’t hold your breath for this season. NASCAR is working on making this Next Gen car as competitive and entertaining as possible. This is how you get there.

The good news is, NASCAR has already made short-track changes that will be apparent this week at New Hampshire. Don’t expect anything crazy different, but we might get a little more passing and some more competitive racing.

Let’s hope the excitement around this NASCAR test only goes up from here. It will be hosted at Richmond in two weeks. We will hear more after that.