LAS VEGAS – NASCAR held a second consecutive meeting with Cup drivers to discuss their safety concerns with the new Next Gen car and promised to continue sessions for the remainder of the season.
Saturday’s meeting at the Las Vegas Motorway lasted 75 minutes, the same length as last week’s controversial session at the Charlotte Motorway. NASCAR had a lengthy presentation for drivers as the Charlotte presentation was halted as the meeting turned into an emotional confrontation between drivers and NASCAR management.
Some drivers last week likened the meeting in Charlotte to an episode of “Seinfeld” as it became “a broadcast of grievances.” The Las Vegas meeting was much calmer, and NASCAR was able to complete the presentation, which was expanded to include information from questions posed by drivers in Charlotte.
Although the Las Vegas meeting was optional, NASCAR said it was in full attendance even though “several celebrities” were not present. The Associated Press confirmed that Kevin HarvicOne of the most outspoken drivers about the Next Generation, was at the meeting in Las Vegas.
“I’m still standing,” a smile Brad Keselowski said as he exited the conference room on Saturday.
Kurt Busch and Alex Bowman both suffered concussions in what should have been normal collisions. Both drivers were injured when the rear of the vehicle hit a wall.
Because the Next Gen is built for durability, drivers have complained that the rear is too stiff and that riders are absorbing too much energy from impacts. Bowman has missed two races and said he will be out for at least the next three, while Busch said Saturday after missing 13 races in a row he is leaving races full time time.
NASCAR thinks it has a fix for the rigidity of the sequel to Next Generation, with changes possible early next season.
Corey LaJoiewho sided with NASCAR during the development of the Next Generation, said NASCAR told drivers in Charlotte that the design changes they tested “lose about 50% of the G-load on impact from behind.”
“You could always say we should have done it faster,” LaJoie said on her “Stacking Pennies” podcast.
“But this work takes time. It’s not like NASCAR is just sitting around, waiting for someone else to get hurt. No one is more at risk or disadvantage from seeing their competitor get injured than NASCAR does. When we designed this vehicle, safety came first and surpassed every other checkpoint.”
There are four races left this season with the Next Generation – including Sunday in Las Vegas to open the third round of the knockout round.
