What is Toughest Track

[muggle not]

What is the toughest track for drivers?

[Joe Fan]

Last year I had an opportunity to meet Dale Jarrett and Sterling Marlin at an Outback Steakhouse pre-race function for fans at Kansas Speedway.

When I asked Dale Jarrett this, he said,"Good question" and then he quickly said, "Sears Point" then paused and said "Pocono and New Hampshire."

When I asked Sterling Marlin said "New Hampshire, New Hampshire and New Hampshire!"

Back in 1997 or 1998, I got to meet David Green before the Pepsi 400 as part of my Grand Prix Tours package. I asked him the same question and he thought Sears Point (pre-Bruton Smith changes) was one of the toughest tracks he raced on due to all the blind corners and elevation changes. Others he mentioned were oval tracks Dover and Charlotte, however, he added that he mainly named Charlotte because he never had real good luck there.

Hope this helps!

[muggle not]

Joe Fan...Wow, very interesting response. I am surprised at most of Jarrett, Marlin, and Green's answers. I would have thought that Darlington was the toughest track for most drivers. Our driver loves Sears Point. She had the fastest lap of all drivers during one race at Sears.

[Joe Fan]

Originally posted by muggle not
Joe Fan...Wow, very interesting response. I am surprised at most of Jarrett, Marlin, and Green's answers. I would have thought that Darlington was the toughest track for most drivers.

I was too but I think Darlington carries such a reputation of being tough that it might be macho not to chose it. Or maybe drivers get more testing there and know going in what its reputation is, so they are more mentally prepared for its challenge. At any rate, it is still one of the toughest tracks as I remember David Green telling me so when I pointed this out as a surprise.