Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards will get the chance to work with their new crew chiefs today and Wednesday during a Goodyear tire test at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The test is open the public. The test goes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Also testing will be Sam Hornish Jr., who returns to the Cup series with Richard Petty Motorsports, and Paul Menard for Richard Childress Racing.
With all testing – other than Goodyear tire testing – banned this is an important session for these teams.
This marks Edwards’ first time in a car with Joe Gibbs Racing. It’s also his first chance to work with crew chief Darian Grubb.
“I’m really grateful to my teammates because they basically gave us that test,’’ Edwards said of new teammates Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch. “I thought that was really nice of them because they know that Darian and I need to work a little bit together. I’ve got a new seat in the car that I’ve never run. I’ve obviously never run that car, and I’ve never worked with these guys. For me to be able to do this test, that’s huge. It will let us prepare for the season a lot better instead of just going to Daytona and winging it.’’
Earnhardt will get his first chance to work with new crew chief Greg Ives, who replaces NBC-bound Steve Letarate.
Over @CLTMotorSpdwy testing tires for @GoodyearRacing with @Ives_Greg and the 88 gang. Feels damn good to be at a racetrack. #whereibelong
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) December 9, 2014
“Not knowing what the testing schedule was going to be, I was excited to take the opportunity as soon as we could to work together,’’ Earnhardt said.
“We can’t pass up a situation like that to be able to go to the racetrack. Greg is a go after it kind of a guy. I’m following his lead. I’m wanting him to hold me accountable, get me to the racetrack, and let’s get to work.Tell me what I need to do and I’ll be there. That’s how I’m going to approach it. The same way I did with Steve. I’m going to try to impress Greg with my work ethic.’’ Earnhardt also will get to work with his new car chief, Travis Mack.
He was with Chase Elliott’s Nationwide championship team but moves to Earnhardt’s team with former car chief Jason Burdett becoming Regan Smith’s crew chief at JR Motorsports.
Goodyear also has a test scheduled in Las Vegas in mid-January.
Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth say they both will be among those at that test.
The Charlotte and Las Vegas tire tests are the only ones scheduled before the start of the season.
Carl works with Sean & Tom to get his seat feeling just right for comfort and safety. #NASCAR #JGR4thTeam pic: pic.twitter.com/pI1mhHqtWN
— Boris for JGR (@JoeGibbsRacing) December 9, 2014
