Martin Truex Jr. breaks down how Next-Gen car is making short-track racing “challenging” even for a veteran of his caliber

NASCAR introduced the Next-Gen cars in 2022 with the objective of making racing closer and more competitive. The sanctioning body was able to achieve this goal, but costed them the good race product they had at short track. Toughness to pass, traffic and lack of tier wear became the biggest issues in such tracks.

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. ahead of the second short track race of 2024, at Richmond, spoke about these challenges. He pointed out that alongside the issues with passing, shifting, the barking, rear suspension and the differential were some of the few challenges the drivers faced with the new car.

It was a lot harder to pass than years past, for sure. With the shifting and with how the brakes are on these cars, it’s so different than it was before. I think shifting has been the biggest difference, but you have the braking to go along with that. Then you have the independent rear suspension and the differential and all those things go along with each other to what we have now.

Martin Truex Jr. said via Speedway Media.

The first short track race of 2024, the Bristol event showed NASCAR the way forward is tier wear. But what was at Bristol was just too much fall off which is unsustainable. So NASCAR and Goodyer have to find sweet spot that balances both tier wear as well as the other factors of racing. It would be interesting to what would happen at Richmond considering the wild Bristol race.

Martin Truex Jr. details the challenges Richmond brings to the table

While talking about the challenges he is expecting for the coming days, Martin Truex Jr. pointed out that the track being one of the biggest short track makes it a unique challenge. He expects a good race for the fans when tier wear and slippery nature of the track comes into play.

I really enjoy the track because it’s kind of unique. It’s a short track but it races like a bigger track than it is. You can really move around there the way the tires wear out and the track is really slippery. That makes it fun and a challenge and always a good race for the fans.

Truex Jr. said.

Going into Richmond, where he has won three races just in the last 10 years, his objective is a victory that secures a playoff spot. After Bristol race it is clear that Toyota will be the favourite going into the weekend. If he can execute without mistake on the track the win would be his on Sunday.

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