Kyle Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels, has stepped up to defend the Next Gen (Gen-7) car against mounting criticism. In a recent discussion featuring prominent figures like Chris Gabehart and Ryan Bergenty, Daniels highlighted the car’s potential for improvement and growth in the future.
Under Daniels’ guidance, Larson has celebrated an impressive total of 21 race wins and 12 pole positions, with five wins and poles in the current season alone. During his segment on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, he addressed the various dynamics of the Next Gen car and responded to the critiques surrounding its design.
Daniels discussed the aerodynamic changes from previous models to the Gen-7 car. He pointed out that older cars, including the Xfinity series, allowed trailing cars to significantly influence leading cars’ aerodynamics by altering their air position.
James Gilbert/Getty Images
He stated, “Think about it: with the old vehicles and current Xfinity cars, the trailing car could actually affect the leading car with airflow. But with the Gen-7, it’s a whole new game where the trailing car cannot affect the leading car’s bumper.” This fundamental shift has altered racing strategies, especially regarding how trailing cars interact with leaders during a race.
Although Daniels praised the Gen-7 car’s strong performance on intermediate and superspeedway tracks, he recognized that it still needs work on short tracks and road courses, as showcased in recent races at Bristol.
“The design of the Gen-7 offers great racing on some tracks, and we’re aiming for improvements on others. That’s totally fine,” Daniels explained.
When faced with fan suggestions to transition to the Xfinity Series platform in the Cup Series, Daniels firmly reiterated the commitment to the Next Gen model. He emphasized, “The Gen-7 platform is here for the long haul and has provided some of the best races on intermediate and superspeedway tracks we’ve seen in a while. Some road course races have also been solid. Short track races need attention, and we’re all aligned on that.”
As the criticism persists, Daniels encouraged fans to continue their support for NASCAR, expressing optimism for the future. “Keep watching, keep supporting, and don’t lose faith in us. And don’t miss this weekend’s race at Kansas. It’s going to be exciting!”