Use of track bite could prove tricky at Pocono

Hamlin, a four-time Tricky Triangle winner, advocated on Twitter for the use of PJ1 — also known as VHT or Track Bite — at Pocono Raceway this weekend.

Hamlin tweeted: 

Followed by:

Hamlin contended that the racing around the 2.5-mile tri-oval was more competitive in 2009-2010 (the last time Hamlin won). But unfortunately, there’s more to consider than just NASCAR before making a decision to spray a traction compound on the 2.5-mile track.

“We had an IndyCar test scheduled for next week that was just recently canceled,” said Pocono Raceway CEO Nick Igdalsky. “They’ve never tested on that material. We didn’t know and they weren’t sure what would happen, how long that material stays on the surface and how it would effect the Indy cars when they hit the track for their test at 230 miles per hour.”

Pocono Raceway has not been approached by NASCAR or anyone else about using the PJ1 on the track. But Igdalsky isn’t ruling it out for the future.

“If we find out that it can be pulled off the surface in a timely manner and efficiently and effectively where it wouldn’t effect any of the other motorsports activities that we run on the facility grounds, then absolutely we’re for anything whether it be dragging tires or the new substances that they’re putting down to add grip to the higher lines.

“We’re for anything that’s going to increase competition and give fans a better product, absolutely.”

Igdalsky, who races when time permits, was encouraged by the competition he witnessed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last Saturday with the new aero/restrictor-plate package. He found the product similar to IndyCar racing at the Brickyard.

“I loved what I saw from the Xfinity Series race last week,” Igdalsky said. “I thought it mimicked a lot of the Indy 500 races they’ve had there where they’ve been able to draft and then pass. I’m really encouraged by the package they brought there. How it relates to the Cup cars remains to be seen but that obviously seems like it’s a step in the right direction.”