Steve Phelps on the new rules package for 2019 and future changes
Next year, NASCAR has a shiny new rules package that’s set to go into effect.
17 of the 36 races: Horsepower will be reduced from 750 to an ideal 550. The engine spacer will be reduced to .922-inch versus the current 1.17-inch hole. In addition, aero ducts will be installed on the front end. Both of these will be the package on tracks over 1-mile.
The Daytona 500 is excluded from the two items above.
5 more races: Both Pocono races in addition to races at Atlanta, Darlington and Homestead – These five races will run with the new spacer but without the aero ducts.
All races: A new taller spoiler will be installed measuring 8 inches. A larger front splitter and a wider radiator pan will also be used. Both of those items will increase downforce.
Why is NASCAR changing the rules?
Because the racing isn’t what it used to be.
All of these things are designed to tighten up the field. The aero ducts move air to the nose of the trailing car. This will help prevent the aero push that we see today where a car loses downforce and can’t pass as a result of being close to the car in front.
The added downforce will slow the cars down. The smaller restrictor plate will slow them down further. At slower speeds, aerodynamic importance is reduced. The faster you go, the more air in compressed onto the body. When that’s taken away, it’s a problem.
Speed is NASCAR. But, too much speed and the racing just isn’t going to be any good. NASCAR is trying to slow the cars down to the speeds they were in the 1990’s. It’s less about speed and more about reducing the decency on air.
NASCAR president Steve Phelps talks the new rules package
How big of a role will the new rules package play as a savior for the decline in TV ratings?
“The rules package was put in place because we want to have the most competitive racing we can. We believe the 2019 rules package is exactly that,” NASCAR president Steve Phelps stated during a press conference.
“What affects it has on ratings or other things that are outside of our control, I can’t say. I can that this racing today which is arguably the best we’ve ever had, is going to get better.”
“We have a promise to our fans. That promise is close, competitive, side by side racing. We believe this 2019 rules package will give us that.”
“We’re going to be laser focused on driving ratings. Our digital and social numbers are doing incredibly well. So, fans are engaging in different ways. We’re also going to be focus on driving ticket sales, it’s important.”
NASCAR president on future NASCAR changes?
Is the inspection process going to change over the off season?
“We’re going to look at the inspection process. Will there be changes to it? There might be. That will be up to Steve and his team to figure out the best way to do that.”
“We’ll have discussions with our race teams and make sure that people are comfortable with the direction that we’re going in. But, at the end of the day, we will make that decision.”
Hybrid NASCAR engine?
“Is electrification on the future, potentially yes. Can I see a time in the future where we will have that? I definitely do.”
“When we get there. How we get there. What it looks like. There’s a lot of work to do between now and then.”
“I can assure you that we are looking at it, right now.”
“Making sure that teams are healthy will help us in all three series. We have made some changes from a structural standpoint in the truck series. That has made that series more viable. Take a look at the MT1 engine.”
The MT1 engine was a game changer in the NASCAR Truck Series for 2018. It’s a spec engine that was designed to save the smaller teams money. It also happened to be faster. Over the course of the season, several big teams made the switch to the MT1. the 2018 series champion driver Brett Moffitt won it all with the spec engine.
More
Denny Hamlin comments on the future of NASCAR
Tony Stewart comments on the future of NASCAR
Kyle Busch anticipates the All-Star package becoming less exciting
Kyle Larson had fun in the Charlotte restrictor plate race (After the race)
Kyle Larson expects the restrictor plate package to be exciting for the fans (before the race)
Stewart-Haas Racing says switching the to the All-Star package is a ‘big task’
