Chassis limits, short/long block engine requirements, limits on wind tunnel testing and road crew members reduced
Yesterday, NASCAR released the 2020 rules changes.
All of them are designed to be cost saving measures. None of them are regarding the package on the track.
The 2020 cars will look the same. That’s mostly due to the upcoming Next Gen car which is set to debut in 2021.
NASCAR will track use on chassis for 2020. A total of 16 chassis are allowed for each time, 12 active and 4 inactive.
Last year, NASCAR began taking data of wind tunnel hours. It was expected that was to enforce limits on wind tunnel testing. They have in fact put that into place for 2020.
“The 2019 season has produced great racing and we anticipate the level of competition to continue to rise as teams build off this rules package in 2020,” said John Probst, NASCAR senior vice president, innovation and racing development.
“Collectively, we continue to work closely as an industry to put on the best racing possible for our fans, while working diligently on the Next Gen car, scheduled to make its debut in 2021,” Probst concluded.
2020 NASCAR Rules
Chassis
-Each car number will be allowed a maximum of 12 certified chassis designated as “active” at any given time. There was previously no limit. Each vehicle number will also be allowed to retain four chassis designated as “inactive,” set aside for future use.
-Chassis can be de-certified or retired only after use in a minimum of three races or if damage from a crash is deemed irreparable. Chassis designated for the preseason Clash exhibition race at Daytona International Speedway will not count against a car number’s active allotment, unless that chassis is also used in the Daytona 500.
-Also, each organization will be permitted a maximum of 10 unique chassis designs.
-The extended parts freeze for the NASCAR Cup Series will remain in place through 2020, as development continues to shift toward the Next Gen stock car.
2020 NASCAR Rules
Engines
-Teams must compete in a minimum of eight events with a full long-block sealed engine and at least eight events with a short-block sealed engine. Previous rules dictated three full long-block seals and 13 short-block sealed engines.
-Cup Series officials and teams recently began the post-race procedure of sealing engines — either fully (long block) or just the bottom portion (short block) — as a measure to prevent costly and time-consuming rebuilds. The practice originated in other NASCAR national series.
NASCAR limits wind tunnel testing
-Organizations will be limited to a total of 150 hours of wind-tunnel testing per year.
There was previously no limit on wind tunnel tests.
-Testing is only permitted at four approved wind-tunnel facilities: Aerodyn Wind Tunnel in Mooresville, North Carolina; Auto Research Center (ARC) in Indianapolis; Penske Technology Group Wind Tunnel in Mooresville, North Carolina; and Windshear Wind Tunnel in Concord, North Carolina.
-Manufacturers, however, are not permitted to conduct wind-tunnel tests on current-generation cars. There is no restriction on the amount of wind-tunnel testing and development for the Next Gen car model slated for 2021.
Related: Kevin Harvick on NASCAR wind tunnel costs
2020 NASCAR Rules
Crew
-Officials have introduced new at-track roster limits for the 2020 season, reducing the maximum number of “road crew” personnel (engineers, mechanics, crew/car chief, spotters) from 12 to 10 during race weekends.
-Additionally, the new structure will limit the amount of “organizational staff” for each organization to three.
-Previously, three- or four-car teams were allowed to carry a fourth rostered member at the organizational level (i.e., technical director, competition manager).
