2018 Daytona rules package updated

New rules package for Daytona July race; Austin Dillon wants to see the All-Star package at both Superspeedways

There’s a whole lot of change and experimentation going on in the NASCAR world. The All-Star race at Charlotte featured aero ducts, more downforce and a restrictor plate on the 1.5-mile track.

A similar package was run in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Pocono Raceway and again last weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Now, there’s talk of trying the package on the Cup cars when they return to Michigan in August.

Austin Dillon won the Xfinity race at Michigan International Speedway. He’s all for it.

Would you want this package in the Cup car at Michigan?

“Well, I think it’s a different type of talent. To be inches off of one another, pushin’, shoving’, wide open around there and making the correct moves… I mean it can be frustrating.”

“There’s guys out there that are competing that you don’t see every week. I was running around Kaz Grala and the #4 car. Those guys are putting their cars in positions that you normally get to see them out there.”

“I think the competition is closer together. I think there’s a lot of driver skill left in it. It’s not lifting and how you get back to the gas or any of that. But, it’s making the move at the right time.”

“You gotta go or you’re gonna get left behind because of how important that draft is. You pull out and you’re sucked back to 10th place from 4th or 2nd. It’s a real chess match out there.”

“It’s a different type of talent than we do every week. I think it’s good to have these type of races. If the fans love to see it and it looks good… It creates some drama, I like it.”

“I just don’t know if it’s an every week package. But, for these type of tracks, I think it’s good.”

Austin Dillon wins at Michigan International Speedway
BROOKLYN, MI – JUNE 09: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series LTi Printing 250 at Michigan International Speedway on June 9, 2018 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

How close is it to superspeedway racing?

“All of this together, it’s very similar to a plate race. I thought this package is something we gotta try at Talladega, Daytona because of the huge runs you get.”

“You get these massive runs. You can drag the brake to somebody, they can shove ya. It’s kinda fun getting those big runs to get to the front.”

“Like what we ran at Charlotte would not be a bad option for Talladega and Daytona. You’ll see some giant runs.”

2019 Daytona / Talladega Package

Austin Dillon’s wish has partially come true. The July race will welcome a new superspeedway rules package to Daytona International Speedway.

The width of the rear spoiler will increase from 53″ to 58″ inches. That will highly increase the drag and downforce on the back of these cars. It will also highly increase the effect of the side draft.

The plate size for Daytona will remain unchanged at 56/64ths. At Talladega, NASCAR introduced a smaller restrictor plate of 55/64ths following the rollover by Jamie McMurray in practice.

No aero ducts have been announced for the Daytona race. That also remains unchanged.

Earlier in the season, Kurt Busch made comments that the rear spoiler was too narrow.

More

Related: Austin Dillon gets pumped up when he hears the phrase ‘silver spoon’

Related: Talladega rules update ahead of qualifying

Related: Kurt Busch says the rear spoiler at too narrow at Superspeedways

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Austin Dillon | Michigan International Speedway | NASCAR

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