NASCAR drivers test new, repaved track

WATKINS GLEN--On the second afternoon of a two-day Goodyear tire test at Watkins Glen International (WGI), NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Carl Edwards, Joey Logano, and Kasey Kahne met to offer their thoughts on the repaved road course. With work beginning last August, the $12 million project was the first time the track has been paved since 1998. The track officially cut the ribbon on the project during their opening weekend in April.
"I''m surprised at how well the cars move around on the new surface," Edwards said. "I haven't been on all the tires, but a couple of times, I've gotten pretty sideways and been able to correct it easily. And sometimes with a new surface, that's tough."
Edwards said he wants to make sure we understand how the track is going to be different because of the paving. He noted now the speeds will just be higher and there will be more grip.
"There's no concrete through the corners like there used to be, and the track is smoother," last year's winner Logano said. "But the curbs are all still in the same place. Mainly, it's less bumps. This place used to be kind of bumpy when you went through certain sections when you go from the asphalt to concrete and back to the asphalt, but now it's pretty smooth."
Kahne said he was a little unsure of how the changes would be and what the feel would be, but added to him, it is similar to what they have had in the past.
"[It is] just a bit smoother and a nice pave job," Kahne added. "[The curbing] is a little more aggressive than it's been in the past, in my opinion."