NASCAR gives an update on discussions about removing the Daytona infield grass

Many NASCAR drivers have demanded the removal of infield grass from Daytona.

NASCAR gives an update on discussions about removing the Daytona infield grass

2023 Daytona 500 (Via IMAGO)

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona last Saturday fired the demands for the removal of infield grass from the iconic superspeedway for NASCAR races. It was sprouted by the violent crash of Stewart Hass Racing’s Ryan Preece. Elton Sawyer, the Senior Vice President of NASCAR, has pointed out that they are now discussing removing the grass.

Elton Sawyer, when asked about the conversations regarding grass removal, said that the discussions are ongoing. He pointed out that over the years, several changes were made to keep the driver safe. Sawyer highlighted the tire changes and safe barrier changes.

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“Yeah, absolutely. I think you look at all of that stuff. Again, we look at the facility. We’ll look at the safer barrier, and where we put the tire packs, and where there’s grass and there’s asphalt, how our vehicles get to those areas. All of those things, we look at,” Sawyer told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (H&T: ProTalk)

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Sawyer said that the sanctioning body collaborates well with the tracks to ensure the drivers and fans have a safe environment. He promised that the concerns of the drivers are something that will be in discussion in the future.

“We’ve had good collaboration with the facilities. … Just to make sure we have the safest environment for our competitors and our fans. But yes, absolutely, that will be something that will be discussed,” Sawyer said.

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Denny Hamlin has asked for the infield grass change

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Credits: @Joegibsracing/Twitter)

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has asked to remove the infield grass from the track so that incidents like the Ryan Preece’s won’t repeat. He blamed the grass for the No:41 Ford Mustang going airborne and the multiple-barrel role it caused.

“I know the drivers have been really on this for a long time, but getting rid of the grass. I guess I’m in that camp for sure. Certainly, the car doesn’t bite as much as it would if it was on – it’s not going to change it from getting air. The car was going airborne way before the grass. It’s just the grass made it bite, and that’s when it caused it to twirl in the air,” Hamlin said in his podcast.

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