In an effort to improve passing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the sanctioning body will introduce a new rules package for the upcoming Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 11.
The change comes after worries from drivers about the on-track product this season, especially the ability to pass. Motorsport.com first hinted at the possible rules change last Friday at Michigan International Speedway.
In a teleconference with the media Tuesday afternoon, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell said they will reduce downforce on cars but cutting the rear spoiler to 3 ½ inches, as well have a 25-inch wider splitter extension panel, with the current splitter having a 1 ¾ inch less overhang that its current measurements.
Additionally, O’Donnell said that tires for the event will have more grip than in 2014, but they are not specifically built for the package. NASCAR will give Sprint Cup Series teams a four-hour test session at the 1.5-mile oval on Wednesday, July 8 to allow them to adapt to the new package.
“We’ve probably been too steadfast about our rules packages being an annual component to the sport, and that’s really not accurate,” said O’Donnell. “If you look at where we’ve been, we’ve actually had several different elements of rules for many of our events, whether that’s tire combinations, drive train configurations, engines, aerodynamics, you know, look no further than as we head out to Sonoma, Daytona and then Kentucky, you’ve got a road course, superspeedway rules package, and then we’ll head into Kentucky, as well.
“I think when you look at the industry as a whole, we feel as though we’re as nimble an industry as we’ve ever been, with the ability to evolve almost in real time, and I think that’s great news for the fans.
“Why we felt Kentucky was important, we know that our sport includes some of the brightest people working on the race teams, and we know that we’ve got the best drivers in the world, and that gives all of us a great deal of confidence as an industry to make this successful, and we’re excited to go racing at Kentucky.”
While only a one-race package for now, O’Donnell wouldn’t rule out utilizing the new package down the road, even if that meant for a race in the Chase.
“This is a Kentucky package only, but any options are on the table coming out of Kentucky,” O’Donnell explained. “But for now, that’s been the dialogue with the industry. I’d go back to we’ve had an extensive testing plan with the industry over the last 18 months. The teams have some data on this package, so we feel confident, and we wouldn’t implement this if we didn’t feel confident as an industry to implement it at Kentucky.
“And then you also look at some of the things, even in a test, there’s only so much you can learn, and then you validate it ultimately at a race, and we feel like that’s the direction we’re headed.
“I just want to add, this is not an abandonment of any rules package,” he said. “There’s many positives we’ve seen out of our current rules that shouldn’t be dismissed, but we’re constantly working on all areas of competition, and we’ll never consider the racing package final, because we’ve been vocal and will continue to be vocal about our commitment to continuing to improve the racing.”
O’Donnell added that NASCAR has a backup plan in place in the event of inclement weather on July 8. Kentucky Speedway will field all three of NASCAR’s national touring series with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing on July 9, the XFINITY Series on July 10 and Cup on Saturday night.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
