A two-day Goodyear tire test is underway at Texas Motor Speedway.
Involved in the test are Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Aric Almirola, Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott and defending Cup champion Martin Truex Jr.
While Blaney and Almirola are debuting with new teams, it’s Elliott’s ride that is the most newsworthy.
With the No. 9 now emblazoned on the side of his car instead of the No. 24, Elliott became the first driver to pilot the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 on a track.
“Behind the wheel it’s really hard to tell what changes are when you are out there by yourself,” Elliott said during media availability. “I think the changes will probably become more apparent, hopefully, when we get to say Atlanta or get to some of the tracks that the changes are going to become important at. Out there making laps it is so hard to tell. I think until we get into those situations and kind of get some races under our belt as not only an organization, but as a manufacturer as a whole to see exactly how we stack up I think it will be tough to say until then.”
Also of note, Blaney announced he’ll be getting a pre-season haircut.
Look below for images and video from the fog-covered test.
.@chaseelliott takes out the new ZL1 Camaro for its on track debut. It’s officially time to #Di9 pic.twitter.com/KXKCOQIS4J
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) January 9, 2018
@chaseelliott took the 2018 #Camaro ZL1 for it’s first time around @TXMotorSpeedway! On how it compares to the production Camaro, he said: "I think that's something to be very proud of from Chevrolet...it's the same car, it looks just like it!" pic.twitter.com/PAeQpcq8FB
— Chevrolet Motorsports (@TeamChevy) January 9, 2018
Chase Elliott’s pit board. 😏 pic.twitter.com/1ZVlvdHvws
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) January 9, 2018
The 12 has hit the track for the first time in 2018! pic.twitter.com/duajTEV1du
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) January 9, 2018
First time across the stripe for @Aric_Almirola in the 10 😎 pic.twitter.com/YGYwEORJQz
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) January 9, 2018
The defending champ heading out for his first run of 2018. pic.twitter.com/A4HiogFxmP
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) January 9, 2018
BREAKING: @Blaney confirms he will cut his hair before the season starts. We repeat there will be a haircut. 😭 pic.twitter.com/t6dvqsUmL3
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) January 9, 2018
I’m gonna miss the hair and mustache! But we all must move on at some point. I’m starting to think y’all only like me for my hair.... https://t.co/iaz0NjWVVT
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) January 9, 2018
Today is my first opportunity to climb behind the wheel of the No. 10 @SmithfieldBrand Ford Fusion. Day 1 of the @GoodyearRacing test at @TXMotorSpeedway rolls on...#Almir10a pic.twitter.com/gH8O2a2Lpm
— Aric Almirola (@Aric_Almirola) January 9, 2018