The recently completed NASCAR off-season was anything but for crew chief Donnie Wingo and his #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion team. The change to a radically different Ford Fusion has kept Wingo and his Wood Brothers crew especially busy, even during the weeks of Christmas and New Years, when teams typically take a few days off. ‘For the first time in a long time I didnt take a vacation’ Wingo said. ‘We didnt even take the whole week of Christmas off. This is by far the most change weve ever had from one season to the next.” It was just this week that the #21 Ford Fusion saw its first wind-tunnel test, one that answered few questions for now because its a totally new car. ‘Theres really nothing to compare it to’ Wingo said. For the Daytona test, Wingo and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team have taken the chassis they raced at Talladega Superspeedway last fall and made the necessary changes, including the installation of the new 2013 Ford Fusion body, one that more closely resembles those on the Fusions in dealers showrooms. ‘The car has less drag, but it also has less downforce front, rear, and overall’ Wingo said. Since NASCAR is adding even more body templates this year, theres very little that teams can do to affect the aerodynamic characteristics of their cars.” Wingo said hell have his driver Trevor Bayne focus initially on single-car runs, but he does plan to do some drafting before the test ends on Saturday. Only after some drafting practice will drivers and teams know whether the tandem-style racing that has been commonplace at Daytona and Talladega in recent years will be feasible with the new cars.( Wood Brothers Racing )
