CONCORD, NC - OCT. 12: Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M's Toyota, races the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 12, 2013 in Concord, N.C.
The new Generation-6 NASCAR Sprint Cup cars introduced for 2013 have been a big hit so far.
The new Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry resemble their production counterparts much more than their predecessors did and that's resonated well with fans and manufacturers alike. They look a lot better, too.
Now, after nearly one full year of racing, NASCAR is ready to take the Gen-6 cars to the next level. That's why the sanctioning body and a number of teams were at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday, testing out a variety of aerodynamic enhancements with an eye toward improving the quality of racing, especially at the high-speed 1.5-mile tracks. In other words, more passing on track, especially out front.
NASCAR tested six cars -- two of each make -- in three different aerodynamic configurations and seven specific packages at CMS. NASCAR officials said that while they were pleased with the Gen-6 cars in their first year, there's room for improvement.
CONCORD, NC - OCT 14: A Penske Racing crew member checks an aerodynamic piece on the roof of the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford, during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 14, 2013 in Concord, N.C.
"We feel like moving forward we'll have a better opportunity next year for even better racing," said NASCAR Vice President of Compeition Robin Pemberton.
"The end game is to continue to improve our sport and the competition on the track, so that fans can appreciate and enjoy it," said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR Vice President of Innovation and Racing Development. "That's the ultimate goal. It's really not about me, it's about us, it's about our customers, and our customers are our fans.
"And we all contribute to that, whether it's NASCAR, the teams, the drivers, the owners, the engine builders. All of us need to begin to look at it in that regard, and that's where we're going to focus to try to improve our racing product on the track."
CONCORD, NC - OCT. 14: The rear spoiler on the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota is seen during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 14, 2013 in Concord, N.C.
