2015 NASCAR Rules Change Includes Rain Tires On Road Courses and Less Power
2015 NASCAR rules changes included rain tires and less horsepower among others. NASCAR has been testing several new features intermittently throughout the season. Drivers have been critical of the tests thus far and now the rules have been set in stone. These official changes below have now been announced as official for 2015.
At 9 a.m. today teams received the new rules and procedures with the “rationale” of enhancing the competition, improving safety, reduce cost, enhance relevance and/or pursuing NASCAR’s green initiative.
“We tried to involve the teams – get as many opinions as possible, go testing, collect data”, says Gene Stefanyshyn.
The 2015 NASCAR Rules changes will not take effect until you guessed it, 2015. So, teams will not be making these changes during the chase, just to get ahead of that.
2015 NASCAR Rules Change – Daytona Pre-Season Testing Eliminated
While testing is still up for discussion, independent team testing and pre-season thunder (AKA Daytona testing) for now have been eliminated. Possible Thursday tests at selected tracks prior to the event are up for discussion. And there appears to be more Goodyear tire tests, such as the one scheduled for Auto Club Speedway on Oct. 28-29, which will allow teams a first look at the 2015 rules package and the tire manufacturer time to build the appropriate tires.
“When we go to California, Goodyear will know what kind of configuration will be put on the car and they’ll be able to do that testing and get that close,” Stefanyshyn said. “We might start working on some ’16 stuff at that point, too. When you think about it, Goodyear needs lead time to work on the tires and get them into the system.”
NASCAR’s plan for a “real-time” electronic rulebook will come to fruition and teams will also have a new approval process for parts.
2015 NASCAR Rules Changes
- Minimum vehicle weight on the cars reduced from 3,300 to 3,250lbs via a 50lb ballast reduction.
- Minimum right-side weight reduced from 1,620 to 1,595lb
- Engine power will be reduced to 725 horsepower via tapered spacer – 1.170 inch in diameter (to be confirmed…engines currently put out on average 850 hp, which is not regulated and not expected to be moving forward)*
- Roller valve lifters replace flat valve lifters (optional flat valve lifter engines allowed as backups, just not for qualifying or in the race)*
- Lower rear differential gear ratios to target 9000 rpm*
- Six inch rear spoiler (reduced from eight inches)*
- Thirty-eight inch maximum width splitter extension panel (radiator pan)*
- Optional rain tires, mandatory wipers, defogger and rear flashing rain light at start of event (practice, qualifying and race – on road courses only)
- Optional electronic cluster (digital dash) providing same vehicle information to driver
- Optional driver adjustable track bar*
- Front lower control arm pivot minimum and maximum dimensions established
- Mandatory all belts to seat (ABTS) along with a seven or nine-point seat belt system
- Deck lid reinforcement
- Moog mandated ball joint and tie rods
- Optional remote voltage regulator
- Optional McLaren steering angle sensor
*Not on Superspeedway cars
Additional 2015 NASCAR Rules Changes
- Daytona testing in January is cancelled.*
- Private team testing is banned per NASCAR private race vehicle testing.
- New unified testing policy inclusive of considerations for rookies and new teams.*
- Changes to short track and intermediate qualifying format (15 min./break/10 min./break/ 5 min.)
- Superspeedway qualifying format (5 min. Odd numbered cars/break/ 5 min. Even/break/5 min./break/5 min.)
- Road course qualifying format (25 min./break/10 min.)
- Daytona 500 qualifying – single cars runs will be replaced with group superspeedway time trials and the Duels still apply.*
- NASCAR can mandate tire selection at the start of the race
(*development ongoing)
2015 NASCAR Rules Change – New Officiating
- Data log and capturing system for pre-race inspections
- Automated pit road officiating at race events that include Sprint Cup races
- Revised technical inspection tire inflation pressures
2015 NASCAR Rules Change – Newly Approved Parts
- Revised brake calipers
- New model 2015 Camry body
- OEMs to retool rear fascias to integrate separate return flange into fascia
- Rear Fascia Extension Updated to fit retooled OEM rear fascias
