FYI WIRZ: NASCAR's Longer Offseason Gets Mixed Support from Teams

NASCAR’s 2015 testing ban nixed Daytona testing, which gave drivers more time off and teams more time to prepare for the season. It also eliminated Daytona International Speedway’s popular Thunder Fan Fest that accompanied the early preparation event every January.

But the fans' loss seemed benefit some drivers and team members with more time off.

NASCAR teams can now participate only in NASCAR and Goodyear tests. Gone are private testing sessions at various tracks.

The testing ban that made the offseason longer was put in place to help teams save funds for some equipment and for travel to and from tracks, which requires costly team lodging.

The new testing rule may give crew members more time with family, but it looks like the time spent at tracks will now be spent at the shop. Maybe it means more time with family evenings and nights.

This reporter’s inquiry about that reality produced mixed results.

Crew chiefs seemed to evaluate the extra time away from the track critically. 

Alan Gustafson, crew chief to Jeff Gordon, will be preparing the No. 24 car for the last time every race for Gordon in his final season. He didn’t see a benefit to the extra time.

“To me, the offseason means you’re working all the time anyway,” Gustafson said. “Really, when you go to the track, you get a break.”

Jamie McMurray's new crew chief, Matt McCall, seemed to agree with Gustafson’s take.

“I’d rather be at the racetrack,” McCall said. “You can work at the shop all day, but you never know what you have. At least when you go to the race track, you can see what you have.”

McMurray seems to agree with his crew chief about downtime.

“The offseason is awesome for about two-and-a-half, three weeks,” McMurray said. “You’re just ready to test, to do something. It’s really hard to go every single week and then just shut it off. I wish they would run exact portions.”

Rodney Childers had a special offseason as crew chief for 2014 Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and the No. 4 Chevy team. 

“For me it seemed shorter, because I’ve never been in a situation of running through the Chase and winning the championship and everything that goes along with that,” Childers said. “Once you win it, there is so much going on with going to Vegas and being gone that week.”

NASCAR driver Paul Menard has a steady, almost emotionless demeanor; but he often takes that composure to competitive finishes near the front. He shared his thoughts on the longer offseason break. 

“It gave us a little more time to prepare without having to go to Daytona to test,” Menard said. “It allowed me more time to work with some of the guys in the shop. Get the team together and get the car ready and just prepare for the season.”

Austin Dillon has had a spirited ride to NASCAR's top levels in the No. 3 Chevy as grandson to team icon Richard Childress. His thoughts about preparation are based on abundant experience. 

Credit: Dwight Drum

“We know when we come back from Christmas we don’t have to go to Daytona first thing in January,” Dillon said. “Now, not having to go do any testing, it gives us more time to prepare those cars—that’s a huge adjustment.”

Dillon analyzed helpful effects that come with NASCAR’s ruling.

“Guys at the shop get to pace themselves to a certain degree,” he added. “We’re used to coming in at a certain intensity level, and you can burn yourself out if you work like that. I think we’re going to be better prepared because of the time we got off.”

Dedicated NASCAR drivers, crew chiefs and team members have various opinions on changes they must hurdle. NSCS officials often take much caution and consideration before they decide on major alterations. It appears this change has some good effects.

Chance are the drivers and crew chiefs who have visited Victory Lane in the first three NSCS races so far have prepared for winning. Perhaps that longer offseason played a role in earning those checkered flags. 

It may not seem to have an effect by July maybe, but it could help team spirit again as the teams get close to the end of the season in November. Many team members are ready then for a series of weeks off the road and at home.

A lot can be said for sleeping in your own bed. The mental effect of home sometimes makes for good sleep with absence of other distractions. NASCAR’s move has some comforts.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained firsthand or from official release materials provided by sanction and team representatives.