The newly-repaved surface at Bristol Motor Speedway will see its first action next week during open test sessions for teams in the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams will test on Monday, July 23 while NASCAR Busch Series teams will test on Tuesday, July 24.

Both series have completed this season’s originally-scheduled sanctioned tests. The Bristol test was added to allow teams the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new racing surface.

“Any time you change the racing surface, it is important for the competitors to get a feel for that change,” said NASCAR Busch Series Director Joe Balash. “Bristol has done a complete revamp of the track, so it is more important to test. Everything about the setup of the car for Bristol will need to be checked, from shocks and springs, ride heights, sway bars to tire pressure. It will be a busy day.”

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Director Wayne Auton echoed the significance of next week’s tests.

“This test is very important to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as with all newly-resurfaced tracks,” Auton said. “The teams can gain a lot of knowledge as to what the new surface will take to make the race at Bristol one of the most exciting races of the year. With only two hours of practice (during the race weekend), teams will use Monday to get all the data they can to be ready to set up their trucks to the best of their ability.”

Fox Sports