NASCAR’s newest changes at Watkins Glen are shining examples of how racing organizations are themselves getting stricter around track-limit enforcement. But it's not just them alone.

“The drivers actually wanted to stay on the track and us to help get there,” revealed Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran.

The track will see tire packs to enforce new track limits, especially at Turn 1 and exit of the carousel.

The issue for years had been the turns. Moran explained, “People have been working on this for a little bit, coming through Turn 1, running the runoff out of Turn 1, coming into Turn 2.”

To fix this, or at least try to, NASCAR last year added softer recessed grooves into the runoff area last season, but that, as well, we all know, failed.

“The grooves that were put in last year, we thought, would slow them down more. Obviously, if we slow them down in that area, they won’t go there. These guys are pros at finding the speed,” Moran said. “It really didn’t change much,” he added.

The fix came from beyond the limits of NASCAR’s traditional audience, all the way from south of the border. Moran revealed, “After using the tire bundles at certain tracks, COTA and Mexico, the drivers tend to like that way of controlling some of the track limits.”

This now has the possibility of completely changing the layout at Turn 1. “Right now it’s four,” Moran said regarding the tire bundles.

“We listen to all the drivers on the location, see if we have to bump them a little bit, put them together, spread them apart.” He added, “Those are the two main changes.”

After all this, the question that arises next is, what is so special about Turn 1 that it requires additional enforcement measures? Isn’t it just another turn?

How Watkins Glen’s Turn 1 runoff evolved into a performance advantage

The runoff at Watkins Glen Turn 1 has now become a racing tool that drivers just want to exploit. They realized this the minute it was noted that the slight pocket of extra asphalt could greatly improve corner geometry instead of just serving as an escape road.

Through extending slightly beyond the apex exit, drivers could minimize their steering angle while braking heavily, while simultaneously straightening the car for an entry into Turn 2.

Add to this the Next Gen platform that puts more weight on improved rear control and better rear suspension, this wider radius that drivers eke out allows much better brake release and earlier throttle pickup.

Comically, the runoff has now become a secondary optimized racing lane rather than a penalty zone. And this is exactly what NASCAR giants are trying to curtail.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Uday Jakhar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason