Busch isn’t happy with the rules direction from a driver’s perspective; Also knows NASCAR needs more excitement
Kyle Busch: “When you have a guy leading the race by 6 seconds, that’s not exciting. I get and understand where we’re going and what we’re doing. It’s just frustrating as a driver to know that’s what we’re doing and anticipate how all these mile and a half and above races will play out.”
NASCAR has seen so many shifts in recent years. The biggest of all those shifts will come this year with the new rules package.
But, outside of rules, there’s a different direction from a manufactures standpoint. Previously, the more popular four-door production bodies made their way to the NASCAR tracks. That made no sense.
The manufactures have shifted direction. Last year, Chevrolet introduced the Camaro to the Cup Series. This year, Ford is bringing the mustang. Soon, Toyota will likely be bringing the Supra to the Cup Series.
Kyle Busch on the Toyota Supra on NASCAR body shape rules
“I don’t think the Supra is going to be that different from what the Camry was. With the composite bodies, the way the rules are and the overall shape of how the body’s gotta be between the makes — There’s really not a lot of difference from the old one,” Kyle Busch stated during Daytona 500 media day.
“Just the nose is going to be the biggest thing. The nose and how it separates the air from the vehicle in the beginning and going over the car. That will be a learning curve.”
“I love the opportunities that Chevy has done with the Camaro, Ford with the Mustang and that Toyota has done with the Supra.”
“I certainly wish now though, now that all of them are kinda that fastback look. That NASCAR would have taken the step and gone farther with the bodies on all three makes.”
“Be like, ‘Alright boys, this is where we’re at, let’s fastback these things.’ Lets make them look more like they are on the street. Rather than the big curvature rear glass.”
Kyle Busch on the tapered spacer
NASCAR is bringing big changes to the NASCAR Cup Series season. You won’t see a bulk of those changes at Daytona.
But, when the series heads to Atlanta, everything changes. Overall, the cars will see more downforce and less horsepower. That’s a sweeping change from the direction of years past.
“Tapered spacers are still restrictor plates,” Kyle Busch says of the new rules. “I wish we didn’t have to deal with those things. But, I certainly understand where back in the 70’s they were at 500-600 horsepower.”
“Now, we’re pushing 900-950. I understand that we could go too fast. How fast is too fast? I don’t know.”
“What we’ve all been unaccustomed to, now we’re taking a step back and going back in time a little bit. I say that because you’ve got tapered spacers on Cup, Xfinity and Trucks. We’re reducing horsepower across the board to slow these things down.”
Kyle Busch on more downforce in NASCAR
“But, the mechanical grip and the aero grip are so great that some of those tracks we go to, you’re wide open. You’re able to just cruise around there.”
The tracks are too big. The idea is to slow the cars down and make aerodynamics less important.
The faster the cars go, the more the air is compressed on the bodies and the bigger hole they punch for the next guy. That creates an aero push and brings the inability to pass to the surface.
That’s exactly what they’re trying to fix. They’re getting closer, but not quite…
“Obviously, what we’re all looking for is not the 6 second separation between 1st and 2nd. It’s too big, too great of a distance to create any sort of excitement.”
“If you can see a guys within 2-3 car lengths then there might be an opportunity to get that guy. Somehow, some way. We’ll have to see how all that transpires.”
Kyle Busch talks the test of the package in Las Vegas
“I’d like to think that the good drivers, teams and cars will be able to excel. Eventually, we’ll kinda figure it out.”
“With our test in Vegas, it as just a matter of who got out front. And who was able to get single file and pull the train fast enough. Once that settled out, that’s kinda what you had.”
“It’s interesting 2nd and 3rd on back. But, 1st to 2nd is still that bubble that we can’t break.”
How much do drivers have a say in NASCAR rules?
“We’re just race car drivers, so we don’t know anything. We just drive what we’re given to drive. What the rules are, the rules are.”
“Our teams gotta go to work and build around that. That’s how I look at it. It’s not that it’s fallen on deaf ears. The problem is creating something that’s viable for the fans to see excitement.”
“When you have a guy leading the race by 6 seconds, that’s not exciting. I get and understand where we’re going and what we’re doing. It’s just frustrating as a driver to know that’s what we’re doing and anticipate how all these mile and a half and above races will play out.”
“From all of this, we’ve gotta get better. We’ve gotta put on a show and do a good job of creating excitement that’s on the race track.”
Outside of the racing, many tracks have stepped up in the entertainment department. Monster Energy has been a big part of that. They put on a show outside of the show with various forms or motorsports entertainment outside of the track.
“As well as the race tracks being able to create excitement around the track. Have a good time set for the people that come to the events.”
“To not just sit outside in 90 degree weather with the sun beating down on them and watch a race. There’s more to life than that these days.”
