Stewart-Haas: Switching to the 1.5-mile restrictor plate package is a big task

Despite winning the All-Star race with the new package, Stewart-Haas Racing doesn’t want a new package ‘dumped on them’

Charlotte Motor Speedway brought in a completely new package for the NASCAR All-Star race. A restrictor plate, aero ducts and lots of downforce was added to the race cars.

3 and 4 wide later, it was widely accepted by the fans. There was a buzz about the event anywhere you looked. From an entertainment front, it worked.

However, NASCAR now goes back to their regularly scheduled program. But, what would it take to bring that package into the cup series at all 1.5-mile tracks?

The team management perspective really places emphases on the wait it out process. These race teams have stables of race cars. Stewart-Haas Racing isn’t just a 4 car team. Each driver has a whole lineup of race cars. To ask every team to cancel their current projects and start over would be a really expensive move.

“It’s going to be different than our other packages,” Greg Zipadelli explained. “It’s a motor package. It’s potentially a body change from what we race on downforce race tracks.”

“So, we’re just creating more work for ourself. Which just takes more resources. Dumping it on us right now wouldn’t be the right thing to do.”

“It would be nice to go to another race track. Everybody’s talked about Pocono or Michigan. I think we’ll see different results at different race tracks with it.”

Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick won the race in the debut of the restrictor plate package at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Yet, he still wants to take it slow.

“I think you’re going to see this package show up on the Xfinity cars at Michigan. I think that’s another step in the process. I think by the time is evolves, especially for the engine shop. This particular package would need to look very similar to your Daytona and Talladega package,” Kevin Harvick chimed in.

Kevin Harvick continued stating he would like all the restrictor plate package to look the same. So, in his opinion, the 1.5-mile restrictor plate package needs to look like the Talladega and Daytona packages.

“How you could evolve to that is way beyond me. From an engine shop standpoint, there would need to be something like that happen. You can’t just pull the trigger. It’s a big ship to turn.”

“Just remember this, there was a large buzz about the low downforce package that we currently race when we left the All-Star race one year.”

Tonight, the regular program resumes. Off with the restrictor plate, off with the downforce and the aero ducts have been removed as well. The Coca-Cola 600 is set to run tonight at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

More

Related: Kyle Larson had fun in the Charlotte restrictor plate race (After the race)

Related: Kyle Larson expects the restrictor plate package to be exciting for the fans (before the race)

Related: NASCAR comments on using the new package in 2018? 2019?

Related: NASCAR is pleased with the new aero package

Related: Learn about the Charlotte Motor Speedway restrictor plate package

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Kevin Harvick | Stewart-Haas Racing | Charlotte Motor Speedway | NASCAR

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