[Bob Tanner]

I haven't seen this mentioned here but I think it's something to think about.

They tested Darlington's new surface last week and the following comes from CBS.com/sports
"Greg Biffle (Ford), Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet) and Ryan Newman (Dodge) will all return to Darlington in two weeks to help Goodyear find a suitable tire for when the series races there in May. Speeds inched toward 200 mph during the two-day test earlier this week, and Goodyear must find a tire capable of withstanding the speeds. "

Keep in mind Ward Burton set the record back in 1996 with 173 MPH, on Hoosiers.

This will probably get me yelled at but 200 MPH at Darlington, new surface or not, is just too fast! They need to slow them down. If they do I hope they don't use the darn restrictor plate.

Fast cars (of the 200 MPH type) don't necessarily make a good race.

[Phils20]

I did hear mention of that test. They did say the surface was VERY smooth!

I would really hate to see plates on that track, it would ruin a good race. But, you know they can't race that fast there, so maybe practice speeds with 20-25 cars on the track will keep that from happening.

[BiscuitMan]

That's the delemmia the CoT has created. NASCAR designed a safer car with good frontal downforce with the splitter, side curtains and rear wing to keep the rear down and stablize the car at speeds. Then when run on the new Darlington smooth surface hedges towards unsafe speeds of 200 mph. If the tires are a problem at that speed, then someone will alter the equation. I would hope the yrun speedway tires with the inner liner at Darlington. I hate restrictor plates.

[Mike88]

200 MPH at Darlington? What is the average race speed? It can't be anywhere near that.

[3fanforever]

The highest average race speed in the last ten years was 139.031, back on 9/6/98.

Race Results at Darlington Raceway - Racing-Reference.info

[Mike88]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

The highest average race speed in the last ten years was 139.031, back on 9/6/98.

Race Results at Darlington Raceway - Racing-Reference.info

Thanks. 200 would be something to see at that track.

[Fireball]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

The highest average race speed in the last ten years was 139.031, back on 9/6/98.Race Results at Darlington Raceway - Racing-Reference.info

Below is the practice speeds for May 2007. Practice speeds are always faster than race times. The race time will include cautions etc. But, WOW!, 200 mph is much faster than 160 mph. No doubt, NASCAR will take some kind of action to slow these guys down.

1 48 Jimmie Johnson 30.600 160.706 mph 35 laps
2 17 Matt Kenseth 30.604 160.685 mph 43 laps
3 99 Carl Edwards 30.640 160.496 mph 36 laps
4 2 Kurt Busch 30.674 160.318 mph 51 laps
5 31 Jeff Burton 30.720 160.078 mph 46 laps
6 25 Casey Mears 30.733 160.010 mph 39 laps
7 5 Kyle Busch30.737 159.9903 mph 43 laps
8 16 Greg Biffle 30.739 159.979 mph 26 laps
9 70 Johnny Sauter 30.764 159.849 mph 30 laps
10 14 Sterling Marlin 30.766 159.839 mph 32 laps

[Quality88]

I hope they don't use restrictors.... dangit.

[oncea3fan]

are the lap times at the 200 mph point, or is that top entering the corners.
big difference in the two.

what are the test lap speeds, are they posted anywhere

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

are the lap times at the 200 mph point, or is that top entering the corners.
big difference in the two.

what are the test lap speeds, are they posted anywhere

I haven't been able to find the test lap speeds, but I did find where "all three racers were unofficially hitting 200 mph at the end of Darlington's backstretch."

ESPN - Trio of drivers see speeds rise 18 mph in Darlington test session - Nascar

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

I haven't been able to find the test lap speeds, but I did find where "all three racers were unofficially hitting 200 mph at the end of Darlington's backstretch."

ESPN - Trio of drivers see speeds rise 18 mph in Darlington test session - Nascar

The article further stated "the average speeds run during the test were "a tick over 175." That would be up 15 mph from the previous 160.

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

The article further stated "the average speeds run during the test were "a tick over 175." That would be up 15 mph from the previous 160.

Indeed it did. I missed that. Thanks.