NASCAR rolled out the first Car of Tomorrow for the Nationwide Series on Monday as it started two days of testing at Richmond International Raceway, and the COT’s debut drew positive reaction from drivers for its handling and sporty look.
“I think it looks pretty cool,” said Carl Edwards, only 14 or so hours after he won the lastest Nationwide Series race on the 0.75-mile oval of Richmond International Raceway.
“I hadn’t seen the car all finished and sitting on the ground. It’s good. It drives really well. It feels a lot like the car we’re racing now. Compared to when we first ran the Car of Tomorrow in the Cup series, this is a lot smaller change for us to go to this car,” he said.
Edwards and Roush-Fenway Racing teammate David Ragan were among the drivers testing a Ford Fusion, although the model of cars that the manufacturers will use in the Nationwide Car of Tomorrow has not been announced. David Reutimann was testing for Toyota. Other drivers on hand included Scott Wimmer and David Stremme for Cherolet and Bryan Clauson for Dodge.
Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’S vice-president of competition, said the governing body hasn’t finalized a start date for the COT in the Nationwide Series, but said it likely will be 2010.
“I think this car will be a little more forgiving. The sweet spot will be bigger,” Reutimann said. “Hopefully it will because a Cup car can be miserable to drive if you miss it.”
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