New surface at Bristol gets positive reviews in test runs

After a few days of testing this week, several Craftsman Truck and Busch Series drivers now say the project gives drivers more grooves and could improve racing at one of the circuit’s most popular tracks.

‘There is not as much transition down in the corners, which makes the car more comfortable getting in and should lead itself to side-by-side racing,’ said Jason Keller, a Busch driver since 1991.

The previous high-banked short track was known for full-contact racing, despite having only one fast groove toward the bottom.

With the new resurfacing that began immediately after the Food City 500 in March, drivers can now find fast lines higher up the banks.

‘It (the low groove) didn’t seem to be the fastest way around,’ Keller said.

‘I can definitely see some two-wide racing here,’ said Busch driver Brad Coleman. ‘My line was to go in on the bottom, slide up to about the middle of the track and then go.’

Drivers also commented on the smoother contours leading out of the turns into the straightaways.

‘This track can never be boring, but I told another driver that (Bristol) is a little boring compared to what it used to be,’ said Caleb Holman, who drives in the Busch and Hooters Pro Cup series.

‘Cars here used to drop off in the corner, hit some bumps and be all over the place. The track is so smooth now that it’s almost like you’re waiting for something to bite you.’

Most drivers were waiting for rubber to build up on the new surface before predicting exactly how it will treat the Nextel Cup’s Sharpie 500 on Aug. 25.

The testing was already going better than the first day on the new surface in 2001 at Nashville Superspeedway’s concrete oval.

‘It was a brand-new concrete surface (at Nashville) and it was very slick,’ said Kevin Triplett, vice president of public affairs for Bristol and a former NASCAR vice president. ‘Speeds were high and with the fresh, slick surface we brought about a dozen cars in on a hook (tow truck) that first day.’