(UPDATE) -- The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is taking another week away from racing this week. This could offer an opportunity for some teams to pull out some of the thorns in their side from the new car. After the race at Texas Motor Speedway on April 6th, widespread criticism emerged about how the car handles. "It would be nice if NASCAR could help us out some," said Kasey Kahne.

Kahne said the problem with the new car centers around the front end. "I think it's the front end. I mean, the back of the cars, you can get 'em loose, you can get 'em tight, you can kinda do what you want, but the front's always just kinda slidin' around."

Kahne had specifics about the challenges a driver battles on the track in the COT. "The bump stops and the travel, it's very sensitive to how the cars handle." Bump stops are rubber devices NASCAR now requires in the the shocks to limit the amount of movement in the shocks. Shock requirements on the new car basically take away an area where teams can play with the setup. Kahne said the new car is just sometimes to fun to drive. "We're in the top series. You should at least have a car that's half way fun to drive sometimes, I would imagine."

Some drivers plan to use this off week for more testing of the new car.