They have totally changed the engines, aero packages, and nearly everything else in the three years he's been away. He stepped in mid-season, in a car he's never driven, with a team he's still not allowed to meet at the shop, and for a crew chief that was used to setting up cars for Kyle Larson. Every week, the first lap he gets on track is the green flag. Apparently, the setups/notes they used for Larson aren't great for Matt's driving style, so they are having some difficult weekends. Practice would go a long way in helping him get more comfortable in the car.I kinda wonder if he's just not into it. He can do better than he has, I don't remember how active he was in practice over the years, but I think he may just be going through the motions, like he's good with retirement.
Yeah, they did before this past weekend.I agree there's a serious problem between the crew chief and Kenseth. I think they've now changed the crew chief.
Austin Dillon has COVID, Kaz Grala in the 3 this weekend.
Big oof, hope Dillon has a quick recovery. Good thing he picked up that win in Texas. As for Grala, I don't watch Trucks that often so this'll be my first time seeing him turn a wheel. By all accounts he seems to be a solid driver, though.
The difference in lap times thru the field is incredible. Definitely would be a better race with practice.I'm hoping NASCAR decides to return to the roval (just not in the summer), but with proper qualifying and practice. I still think that if drivers had some form of practice, and the teams had more data to determine the best setup for the race car, that the quality of the racing would be better.
First caution of the day for an accident as the 18 fixed the rotor..... and then crashed out of turn 2 of the oval.This isn't exactly the spectacle I was hoping for.
Elliott wins his 3rd straight road course race. Kaz Grala finishes 7th in his first career cup start.
Here's a bit more on Kaz Grala, age 21. He has previously completed the 24 hours of Daytona at 17 in a Lamborghini.Not bad considering,
- No practice
- No experience at this track
- No prior mileage in a Cup car