Proposed 2019 NASCAR rules package surfaces

Sweeping changes proposed for the 2019 NASCAR rulebook

Remember that Charlotte All-Star race package? Well, that package has been proposed for a much larger rollout in 2019.

The Charlotte All-Star race featured aero ducts, a restrictor plate, a different front splitter and a larger rear spoiler.

1.5 mile race tracks have become stale to NASCAR fans. However, those races could see drastic and wide spread changes next season.


New NASCAR rules package

Aero Ducts: These are designed to feed air to the trailing car. Far too often, a car can run down the car ahead only to stall out in the the dirty air behind him. This makes it hard to pass.

The aero ducts feed air from the nose of the car out of the wheel wheels. That air then lands on the nose of the car behind. It limits the amount of downforce lost when a car pulls to the rear bumper of a competitor.

Restrictor plate: This is actually another way of fixing the same aero issue NASCAR has fought for years. The cars are going significantly faster than they were in the 90’s.

The pole speed in the 1990 Coca-Cola 600 was 173.963. The pole speed for the 2018 Coca-Cola 600 was 191.836 mph. Alternatively, Kyle Larson ran a 173.305 on final practice for the NASCAR All-Star race with this proposed package.

Essentially, the restrictor plate takes these cars back to the speeds of the 1990’s. Why would they want to do that? The fastest the cars go the more aerodynamics come into play. By reducing the speeds, it allows cars to pass without losing the front end behind the bumper of another car.

Rear spoiler: It does the same thing as both items above. The negative side effect is that while the cars are less aero sensitive they are also further under control of the racing driver. There’s less skating around the track.


So far, the package has only been tested once via the Charlotte All-Star Race. It created an All-Star Race with the most lead changes in the history of the event. It wasn’t pack racing but it certainly kept the field closer together.

Fans were mostly in approval of the event. The drivers had mixed reviews.

NASCAR was working to run it at Michigan Indianapolis, Chicagoland and/or Pocono in 2018. NASCAR conducted a test with the package at Michigan International Speedway in June. However, they scrapped that idea for a second run in an official race.

Now, that same package is being proposed for 2019 on a much larger scale. Following several industry meetings the 2019 rules package on the table once more.

Paperwork has surfaced from a July 11th meeting with the NASCAR Rules Committee highlighting the proposed changes. That paperwork says the new rules package has been proposed for 13 races in 2019. Essentially, every 1.5-mile and larger cookie cutter track.

2018 NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 19: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, and Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, lead the field during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 19, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Proposed 2019 races for the Restrictor Plate Package

March 3
Las Vegas Motor Speedway

March 17
Auto Club Speedway

March 31st
Texas Motor Speedway

May 11
Kansas Speedway

May 18
Charlotte Motor Speedway

May 26
Charlotte Motor Speedway

June 9
Michigan International Speedway

June 30
Chicagoland Speedway

July 13
Kentucky Speedway

September 9
Indianapolis Motor Speedway

August 11
Michigan Internationals Speedway

October 20
Kansas Speedway

November 3
Texas Motor Speedway

NASCAR comments on 2019 rules

“Work for 2019 has definitely begun,” Scott Miller stated via Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

“We’re working closely with the industry trying to come up with the 2019 rules package and whether or not that incorporates something similar to what we saw at the Charlotte All-Star event or an iteration of that,” Miller concluded.

“Discussions with the industry concerning the 2019 rules package continue as planned. We look forward to sharing information once the rules have been finalized,” Miller told Racin Boys when asked about the leaked documents.

More

Related: Kevin Harvick expects the future of NASCAR to look like the 2018 All-Star race

Related: NASCAR has tested the restrictor plate package at Michigan International Speedway

Related: Following a meeting: NASCAR is looking to run more high downforce package again in 2018

Related: NASCAR discusses possible use of the aero package for 2019 or 2018

Related: Stewart-Haas Racing says switching the to the All-Star package is a ‘big task’

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

Related: Kyle Busch anticipates the All-Star package becoming less exciting

Related: NASCAR is pleased with the Charlotte aero package

Related: Announcement of the NASCAR All-Star restrictor plate package

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