Jeff Gordon explains "more horsepower and softer tires" are not NASCAR's easy fix
NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon opined that "more horsepower and softer tires" aren't an easy fix to improve the Next Gen's racing product. Gordon clarified that he would like to see an increase in horsepower at certain tracks, but insists it won't be the silver bullet that drastically changes the racing product.
The four-time NASCAR champion serves as the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports and has a better understanding of how increasing horsepower would affect teams and engine manufacturers. He also praised Goodyear's efforts in producing softer tires, but suggested his philosophy on how softer tires should behave.
In a recent appearance on the Rubbin' is Racing podcast, Jeff Gordon argued that increasing horsepower is not a "fix-all." He supports adding HP for certain tracks, but mentioned that the main issue with the Next Gen is its low ride height. Presenting the potential roadblocks for an immediate increase in HP, he cited increased costs and insisted that making the cars harder to drive won't necessarily result in better racing.
"I think it's not, no. I mean, because adding horsepower, I think at certain tracks, like the mile tracks, half mile tracks, I like. I think we're too glued to the racetrack right now. So adding power, I like, adding as much power as I think maybe it takes, would do two things. One, cost. I hate bringing up cost, but it's, you know, we're talking about components that won't last, not just in the engine. Then the other is, it might make the cars harder to drive and the drivers like it more. Doesn't mean that's going to be a better race." Gordon said.
Gordon said Goodyear is in a tough position but mentioned that currently, the lap time fall-off is not gradual and drops off a cliff after a certain number of laps.
"I've learned that a softer tire doesn't necessarily mean more fall off, and that's what we want. We don't need a softer tire. We need a tire that has grip and then falls off, where the driver and the team have to manage the tire wear," he added.
Jeff Gordon mentioned that NASCAR fans will most likely get their wish of more horsepower granted, as there have been talks about increasing horsepower from the current 670 hp engines.
Jeff Gordon was named the "Official Commander" for the Mexico City Race
Hendrick Motorsports legend Jeff Gordon has been named the Official Commander for the inaugural Cup race at Autódromo Hermanos RodrÃguez in Mexico City. Gordon will say the most famous words in motorsports, giving the command to start the engines for the NASCAR Cup Series' first international points race in 67 years.
The four-time NASCAR champion is the most successful road course racer in Cup Series history. Nine of his 93 wins came on tracks with right turns, while Tony Stewart won eight road course races. Chase Elliott is close behind with seven wins, and Kyle Larson has six victories on such tracks.
This weekend, Kyle Larson will be searching for his fourth win of the season, and William Byron his second win, despite dominating many races. Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman will be aiming for a breakthrough victory this weekend in Mexico City.
The Chilango 150 Xfinity Race is scheduled for this Saturday, June 14, at 4:30 PM ET. The Viva Mexico 250 Cup race is scheduled for Sunday, June 15, with Jeff Gordon giving the command around 3:00 PM ET.