NASCAR announced today that it will implement a pair of rule changes for next month's running of the "Good Sam Club 500" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, changes designed to decrease the amount of nose-to-tail drafting in the event.
NASCAR will increase the size of the restrictor plate teams use in practice at Talladega by 1/64 inch; to a total of 57/64-inch diameter. The change is expected to increase horsepower output by approximately 7-10 horsepower. In addition to the restrictor plate change, cooling system pressure relief valves will be recalibrated to reduce pressure by approximately eight pounds per square inch. Lowering the pressurization of cooling systems will decrease the boiling point of engine coolant, forcing drivers to break out of line more frequently in order to avoid overheating.
NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said the changes come at the request of series competitors. "After the last few superspeedway races, we've heard many drivers express their desire to open up the size of the restrictor plate some, and we thought the time was right to do that," he said. "We anticipate these revisions in the rules package for Talladega will help continue to provide competitive and exciting racing for the fans."
I'm sorry I haven't been a big fan of the two car draft and I think this is a good move on NASCAR's part.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how people can like one long train better than the two car draft. At least with the two car draft, it looks like real racing. The train is just riding around in circles.
ReplyDeleteJust when it was getting good NASCAR messes it up. Last Talladega 88 lead changes. Need I say more.
ReplyDeleteI'm not an engineer or mechanic. Will this improve the race? Can drivers win on there own skills? Or will they still need to rely on the pushing ability of another? If changes make the product better, let's go. If not why change. Let's try it and see what happens before deciding if its good or bad
ReplyDeleteKelly in Manitoba
Come on! It's was getting old... It's never a good race when drivers forfeit the win knowing they car is only good for 'pushing'. At least with the large packs of cars in the in the drivers hands to make passes-- the two car tango required assistance. Good job NASCAR!
ReplyDelete(I should have edited that before posting) Ooops.
ReplyDeleteWhether this will improve the racing or not depends on what you prefer. It will help break up the two-car drafts, since the "push" car will have to duck out of line more frequently to get air into the radiator. If you liked the two-car drafts, this is a bad thing. If you like the old, "pack racing" at Daytona and Talladega, this is a good thing. If you complained about both, you'll still have something to complain about.
ReplyDeleteDave, don't encourage people to complain man.
ReplyDeleteI wish they would use the "wicker bill" right behind the front window like they did on the Nationwide cars a few years back... I thought that broke a huge hole in the wind and they were able to use a larger plate size too...
ReplyDeleteJust don't be pushing on the last lap! :P
ReplyDelete