NASCAR’s Gen-Six Cars Thunder into Daytona for first 2013 Test and Fan Fest

Sixth-Generation NASCAR Sprint Cup Car debuting at The World Center of Racing this weekend!

NASCAR fans are heading to Daytona for Preseason Thunder Fan Fest, the unofficial on-track start of the 2013 NASCAR season and Daytona International Speedway is ready for a full three days of activities and action for drivers and race fans.

Daytona’s Preseason Thunder this weekend – Jan 10 – 12 – includes the only test for the Sprint Cup Series new Gen-6 car prior to the official start of the 2013 season in February.

After some controversy in 2012 over tandem versus pack racing on superspeedways, the Daytona test has been highly anticipated by fans. Drivers are expected to spend more time than usual drafting during test sessions this weekend to find out what the new car can and cannot do in the draft at Daytona.

Also, following several tests of the new car in 2012, including one restrictor plate test at Talladega Superspeedway, the rules package has been set for this weekend’s test at Daytona.

The new rules package for Daytona includes:

• Plate size 29/32″ – same size as 2012
• Spoiler size 4″ high x 53″ wide
• Spoiler angle 70 degrees
• Front Grille size 1-3/4″ high x 23 wide
• Radiator Relief valve 32 psi

“This test is an opportunity for teams to prepare their cars for Speedweeks and the 55th running of the Daytona 500,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “This is the teams’ test and provides an excellent lead in to the upcoming 2013 season. There has been a lot of work put into the development of the Gen-6 car by the manufacturers, teams and NASCAR. It will be exciting to see the new cars on the track for Daytona Preseason Thunder.”

Although  tests this weekend will be helpful to drivers and teams as they prepare to kickoff the 2013 season, fans anxious to know how the Gen-Six car will race on superspeedways may have to wait until The Sprint Unlimited  – previously known as The Shootout – scheduled Feb 16th at the storied Daytona track.

Keep in mind, it’s also possible that after this weekend’s test sessions, the rules package may, yet again, change before The Sprint Unlimited, and could very well, change at least once more before the green flag of the official season opening Daytona 500 on Feb 24.

Next airing is Monday, Jan 14th at 9pm ET. Watch for more details.

The Fan4Racing team will be discussing the test sessions at Daytona this weekend on our popular internet radio show this Monday, Jan 14th at 9pm ET with our media guest, Brian Wiggins from On Pit Road. We’re also anticipating another special – NASCAR Insider – guest announcement and will post details of the show over the weekend.

Besides this year’s first on-track testing at Daytona, the track is also hosting Preseason Thunder Fan Fest on Thursday night, January 10th. Fan Fest includes autograph sessions, driver fan forums, show cars and displays, music and a photo opportunity with the 2013 Harley J Earl Daytona 500 trophy.

Among the drivers scheduled to appear on Thursday, Jan 10 during the 5:30-7:30pm session are Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr, Jeff Burton, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kurt Busch and Mark Martin.

In the 7:30-9:30pm session, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski, 2012 Daytona 500 champion Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Danica Patrick, Aric Almirola, Carl Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Clint Bowyer, Marcos Ambrose, Joey Logano, David Ragan, David Gilliland, Paul Menard, Kyle Busch, Bobby Labonte, Austin Dillon, Trevor Bayne and Casey Mears are scheduled to appear.

Daytona International Speedway will also host special driver chat sessions on the speedway’s social media channels following the end of testing Thursday evening from 5:30-9:30pm. Fans can submit questions for Twitter chats by including #DaytonaTesting and the driver’s official Twitter handle. NASCAR’s official Twitter feed @NASCAR will also provide updates throughout the three-day session. Fans can also participate in live driver chats hosted on Facebook by visiting facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.

SPEED will broadcast live coverage of testing on all three days from 1-5pm ET. And fans can also see live streaming from 9am-noon ET each day at SPEEDTV.com.

Race fans can get their tickets for Daytona Preseason Thunder Fan Fest for $20 on Thursday and $10 for Friday and Saturday by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com. Children 12 and under will receive free admission.

See also NASCAR’s Gen-Six car looks to bring racing ‘Back to the Future’