Car of Tomorrow Tests At Atlanta
Thursday, October 25th, 2007 5:05pm CDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
There’s something that has been on my mind recently. It’s killing me, really.
We know that the dominoes have fallen, and that Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kyle Busch, and JJ Yeley will all test with their 2008 teams. That makes perfect sense given the fact that the Car of Tomorrow test at Atlanta will not really yield any information which will benefit teams for the remainder of the 2007 season.
So let’s keep that in mind for a minute as we ask the question: “Will Gibbs show up with Toyota’s?”
The test will be taking place this coming Monday and Tuesday, and is NASCAR’s way of trying to remove a little blindness going into the 2008 season and finally running the COT on a track longer than a mile. Talladega excluded, of course, but we’re talking about the staple of tracks on the schedule. The down force ones.
With the fact that there won’t be much to gain for Phoenix from this test, which is why you’re seeing drivers being allowed to test with a new team, could Gibbs bring Camry’s to the test? Maybe I’m off my rocker, and I’ve seen nothing even hinting to the possibility, but what do they have to lose? Loss of manufacturer support for 3 events? I doubt there’s anything that could save help them by then.
What is left is everything to gained from doing so. Anything that can be gained on 2008 is something to be cherished. Even with all the similarities between manufacturers with the COT, there are still enough differences to drive the need for information.
Michael Waltrip recently came out and mentioned to ESPN that Gibbs is a partial credit for his teams recent performance gains. Of course as soon as that hit the wire the Gibbs folks were in a full denial campaign. I’ll have to cry foul on that one. It is not believable that they haven’t touched a Toyota part, tested Toyota equipment, and at the same time discussed that information with TRD. It’s quite plausible that Gibbs hasn’t given up any of the really juicy details yet, but to think there has been no communication or preparation on Gibbs part is one of the biggest crocks of the year.
So, will they bring Camry’s, or won’t they? Could they pull a Bill Davis and try to mask it with a bowtie on the front?
Filed Under: Atlanta, Joe Gibbs Racing #11, Joe Gibbs Racing #18, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Tracks
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Does it really matter?
With the CoT it’s all the same except the decals. You could run a body-in-white and call it a Hupmoble (or better yet a Stanley Steamer, they’re ecco-friendly) and no one would be the wiser.
Besides, the point may be moot. I read in the last few hours the test may be called off due to the severe drought in the southeast and due to a couple of Georga politicians squawking about the amount of water used on race weekend.
“Even with all the similarities between manufacturers with the COT, there are still enough differences to drive the need for information.”
While most of it is power plant and suspension kinda stuff, can you honestly tell me that there would be absolutely no benefit from it?
Oh, and the test is on, by the way. The only thing that’s being asked is that they don’t wash up the haulers/trucks upon arrival this weekend.