Tuesday, September 23, 2014

NASCAR Announces 2015 Sprint Cup Rules

NASCAR has announced a series of updates to its national series rules packages for 2015. 

The sanctioning body said the rules were formulated with the goals of enriched competition, improved safety, reduced cost, enhanced product relevance and environmental (green) improvements in mind. 

Most notable on the list of changes are a NASCAR-mandated ban on all team-initiated private testing, along with the deletion of NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona International Speedway. Teams will still be invited to participate in periodic NASCAR and Goodyear tire tests, but will no longer be allowed to test on their own, regardless of venue.
 
Qualifying formats have been updated for all tracks. On short and intermediate tracks, qualifying will consist of three rounds: 15 minutes, 10 minutes and five minutes, with short breaks between rounds.  

On superspeedways, the field will be split in “A” and “B” qualifying groups, with each group receiving a pair of five-minute qualifying rounds, with breaks between rounds. For the first time in history, the season-opening Daytona 500 will also feature a group qualifying format. 

On road courses, qualifying will consist of two rounds: 25 minutes and 10 minutes, with a break between rounds. 

Changes to the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rules package include: 

§  Reduction of horsepower to 725 via tapered spacer.
§  Roller valve lifters to replace flat valve lifter.
§  Lower rear differential gear ratios targeting 9,000 RPM.
§  Rear spoiler adjustment from 7.25 inches to 6 inches.
§  Optional driver adjustable track bar.
§  38-inch wide radiator pan.
§  50-pound reduction in minimum vehicle weight from 3,300 to 3,250 pounds (w/o driver) via ballast reduction.

In addition, rain tires will be utilized when necessary in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series road course events, along with mandatory windshield wipers, defogger and rear flashing rain light. These changes bring the series in line with the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

New officiating processes for 2015 include a data log and capture system for pre-race inspections, along with automated pit road officiating at race events 

NASCAR also announced newly approved brake calipers for 2015, as well as a new parts approval process. The sanctioning body will also offer an electronic rule book next season.

 

9 comments:

  1. So, no testing even at non-Nascar sanctioned tracks?

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  2. Brandon in TN3:32 PM

    Rain tires? Really? Yay! (Sarcasm) Let the wreckfest begin now. Dumb decision, but these days anything Brian France comes up with doesn't surprise me anymore. Maybe the RTA saw this coming. Hmm....

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    1. The reality is, as long as no one gets hurt and it doesn't involve your guy, we all (I haven't found anyone who doesn't) like wrecks. Can't wait for the 2015 road course races and I'm praying for rain. Should be fun.

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  3. I don't get what was the purpose of the Michigan test knowing that the package with the tapered spacer, brought the worst racing during the test. NASCAR just went ahead called for that package anyways. You pass another car going into the corner and during the corner. WTF. They needed to maybe increase more engine power and strip down the downforce, if they want to improve the package (the package that wasn't broken) of today. I just don't get it.

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  4. This is my third time trying to comment? I hope the Sirius host are happy with NASCAR implementing mandatory restrictor plate now at all race tracks.All host, with the exception of chocolate have nagged at NASCAR for reduced speeds. I Hate it.

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  5. Anonymous7:09 AM

    "Roller valve lifters to replace flat valve lifters". It only took NASCAR 40 years to discover tech hot rodders, drag racers, the manufacturers and the rest of us knew about. It used to be racing trickled down technology to the rest of us. Now it looks like NASCAR and the leaders have discovered electricity. What's even funnier is the tapered spacer to limit horsepower to 725. I guess they don't know why roller cams produce more horsepower than flat tappet cams. Going to be a whole lot of bump sticks in the garbage in North Carolina.

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  6. The No testing policy appears to me to have a huge loophole, but on e that can only be taken advantage of by well funded teams that do not have 4 cars already running in the series. I see teams like Penske (with ohnly 2 cars) starting a third team, Self sponsored, entered only in selected races (or all who knows). This way they can try out lots of different things over the course of a race weekend, have the advantage of testing in 'race conditions' as well as practice. Just seems to me like what a smart well monied team owner might try. And Can NASCAR argue against it? Its just another car on the track.
    Just an idea
    Alan

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  7. While everybody is getting their panties all twisted up over testing, the reduction in horse power, rockers and cams, I think the real game changer is the driver adjustable track bar. The reduction of ill handling race cars will create more closer racing.

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