NASCAR adjusts Talladega Superspeedway rules package after practice crash (Video)
Restrictor plate reduced ahead of qualifying at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. — NASCAR competition officials issued a Friday afternoon rules update to further reduce horsepower after observing blistering speeds and a rollover crash in Monster Energy Series practice.
Officials reduced the size of the engine restrictor plates from 7/8 of an inch to 55/64th of an inch in an effort to slow the cars ahead of Sunday’s GEICO 500 (2 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at the 2.66-mile track. All practice was completed Friday, so teams will make their first laps with the new rules in Saturday’s Busch Pole Qualifying (1:05 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM).
A NASCAR spokesperson said the change was “absolutely a safety issue” and that the series was positioned to react when cars lift off the racing surface.
Two Friday events prompted the change. The most dramatic episode was Jamie McMurray’s tumbling crash on the backstretch early in final practice. McMurray’s No. 1 Chevrolet lifted in a sideways slide before being sent up and over by contact from Ryan Newman’s No. 31 Chevy. McMurray emerged unhurt.
Practice speeds also reached high levels in both sessions. Ty Dillon topped early practice at 202.959 mph, and McMurray’s lap of 203.975 mph was fastest in the final session.
— NASCAR —
Watch the video of Jamie McMurray’s practice crash as well as his post event interview below. The incident took place today.
Note: This change has been made after the conclusion of practice sessions. The next time the cars will be on track is Saturday for qualifying. The race will follow on Sunday.
Jamie McMurray Crash Video
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Related: Talladega TV Schedule
