For the second day in a row the weather has affected testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Yesterday an all-day rain event washed away any chance of getting the new Gen-6 car on the track and Friday’s second and last day at CMS has been delayed because of overnight rain that turned into snow before freezing with temperatures dropping into the mid-20's.
The cancellation added additional track times to the 33 cars that came to CMS although the track drying process will, in all likelihood, shorten the day’s two sessions to less availability than originally scheduled.
Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Kurt Busch are just a few of the drivers that need a lot more time to practice and test if for nothing else, they are with new teams. Patrick has a little experience with Stewart Haas Racing in the No. 10 Chevrolet, however, she is with a new crew chief Tony Gibson.
Patrick ran ten Sprint Cup races in 2012 for SHR as a way of wetting her feet in NASCAR’s top series. Her best finish was 17th although many believe she is a quick learner and will be prepared for the new season despite not having as much seat time with the Gen-6 as she would like.
It was a cold and brisk morning at CMS with some joking that it was cold enough to get into a snowball fight even though the facility was nothing more than wet with a few ice patches. All sorts of vehicles were out on the track drying to dry it but because of the high humidity it was a slow go and there was no time set when teams could get out for their first runs.
The garage area was abuzz with pre-testing tinkering and others going through tech. Some drivers like Carl Edwards looked like he could climb into his car at a moment’s notice while others such as Kasey Kahne and Jimmy Johnson were still in street clothes as they chatted outside Johnson’s garage stall. Patrick was seen bundled up walking as a fast pace as if trying to find a warm place to go.
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