Saturday Bristol Notebook

Aug. 20, 2016

Notebook Items:

·         Rick Hendrick is pleased with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s progress

·         Bristol applies new layer of coating to turns

·         Carl Edwards approves of track treatment

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

Rick Hendrick is pleased with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s progress

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Team owner Rick Hendrick made two things abundantly clear during a press conference at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon to discuss the signing of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series leader William Byron.

First, Hendrick had no specific update as to the status of Dale Earnhardt Jr., other than to say that Earnhardt is progressing in his recovery from concussion-like symptoms and wants to return to the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet as soon as possible.

“Dale looks great,” Hendrick said. “I had lunch…he and the road crew went to lunch on Wednesday – and I think you’ve seen the (video) of him playing basketball. We are taking extra effort with the doctors, making sure he’s going to be 100 percent.

“He’s got a doctor’s appointment next week. He’s doing great, and he wants to get back in the car. Beyond that, I don’t know anything to tell you about him.”

Second, Hendrick stressed that the signing of Byron to drive for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR XFINITY Series next year was not a reaction to the uncertainty of Earnhardt’s timetable for a return to racing.

“William has nothing to do with Dale at all,” Hendrick said. “William has all to do with our future, down the road. What’s going to happen three to five years from now, nobody knows.”

Hendrick confirmed that, if Earnhardt is unable to compete next weekend at Michingan, Jeff Gordon will not be in the No. 88 Chevy because of a prior commitment. If Earnhardt is not cleared to drive, Alex Bowman will fill seat for a second time, having driven in Earnhardt’s stead at New Hampshire in July.

BRISTOL APPLIES NEW LAYER OF COATING TO TURNS

Those who arrived on Saturday for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway were witness to a novel sight – a rosin covering the inside of the turns at each end of the track.

The compound used was a substance commonly used at dragstrips to increase traction in the take-off area. It is designed to enhance adhesion between tires and the concrete racing surface. A similar coating was applied before Friday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race at BMS, and the quality of competition drew raves from those watching from the grandstands and on television.

One interested home viewer was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who seemed pleased that the top groove was not as dominant as it has been since the grinding of the high lane in June 2012.

“Pretty good @XFINITYRacing @BMSUpdates,” Earnhardt posted on Twitter during the race. “The bottom isn’t useless. And drivers aren’t willing to give an inch. Can’t wait for (Saturday) night.”

In a subsequent tweet, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell explained the process.

“Track re-applied rosin – first 18 inches above the apron in turns 1-2 and turns 3-4 overnight,” O’Donnell tweeted. “Identical to what we did prior to @NASCAR XFINITY.”

CARL EDWARDS APPROVES OF TRACK TREATMENT

Carl Edwards, pole winner for Saturday night’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race (8 p.m. ET on NBCSN), was enthused by the addition of grip to the lower groove.

“I’m excited about the prospect of having not only multiple lines, but having the line be on the bottom is a lot of fun,” said Edwards, who won the April race at Bristol from the pole for his first victory of the season. “The first times I drove at Bristol and for a big part of it, those first years were really fun, and it’s fun because on the bottom, if a guy slips up, it gives you a little window to get under him.

“But at the top, if everybody is following one another, they slip up and you can’t really go between them and the wall and you can’t make anything happen. Multiple lines and having the bottom I think is going to make for a much more dynamic race and a lot more fun for the drivers – and hopefully the fans enjoy it.”