Stewart doesn’t like changes
“I thought they screwed up a really nice race track,'' Stewart said Wednesday. “They had a track that every year was getting better and better, and the racing was getting better and better.''
During reconstruction of the 1 1/2 -mile oval since the Nextel Cup race there last March, the banking was increased from 12 to 20 degrees. The pit lane was moved closer to the front stretch grandstands, making for a smoother transition from corner to straightaway.
Las Vegas officials contend the reconfiguration will create more side-by-side and competitive racing.
“Tony and I would probably have to agree to disagree, and I think the race fans will disagree as soon as Saturday and Sunday roll around,'' Las Vegas general manager Chris Powell said. “I think the competition is going to be much better with this added banking.''
But Stewart expects the cars to run “in one or two lines'' Sunday in the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. He said the groove didn't move much during two days of testing with Cup and Busch cars in January.
“It's going to make for a worse race in my opinion,'' Stewart said.
Track owner Bruton Smith had the opinions of the fans in mind when he changed the facility
“It didn't bother Tony when the cars got strung out and the fans were yearning for more side-by-side racing. That wasn't a problem for Tony, and I can understand that perspective,'' Powell said. “But Bruton Smith puts the race fans first, and that's what he was doing with this new configuration — looking for better competition and more side-by-side racing.'' More at Yahoo Sports.