NASCAR Adds New Rules Packages To Four Races
The new rules packages will be in place for the races at Indianapolis (July 26), Michigan (Aug. 16), Darlington (Sept. 6) and Richmond (Sept. 12), in addition to the previous rules change for the race at Kentucky this weekend.
Both the races at Michigan and Indianapolis will feature a higher drag package – with a nine-inch spoiler, a one-inch wickerbill and a two-inch splitter – while the package at Darlington will be similar to the one being used at Kentucky, with a three-and-a-half-inch splitter. The race at Richmond will use the current rules package, but with a new tire combination.
NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O'Donnell outlined the changes during a teleconference on Tuesday.
"We've been really candid with our intentions of looking at our racing development and identifying possible venues where we can field a specific rules package for each track that we feel will enhance the racing," said O'Donnell. "The decision by NASCAR to add those four races to the already planned rules update for Kentucky this week is really coming on the heels of the continued dialogue that we've had with the industry that's been terrific."
O'Donnell also said although there are currently no plans for any rules changes during the 10-race Chase, "all options for us are still on the table."
"Obviously we want to see what happens at each of these events," said O'Donnell. "Currently these are just race-specific rules that we're looking at, but no final decisions have been made on that."