Corey LaJoie comments on the pending short track package; NASCAR responds

NASCAR is working on a 2020 rules adjustment for short tracks; Corey LaJoie details the changes which have yet to be announced

2019 was a new page for NASCAR. The rear spoilers were increased from next to nothing, to 8 inches.

The downforce was up across the board at all tracks in 2019. It fixed a lot of the issues with the 1.5-mile ovals. The field was bunched up and green flag passes significantly increased from years prior.

But, there’s positives and negatives to everything.

However, in recent years the fan base has voiced an increased demand for more short tracks. Unfortunately, the new rules package basically broke all the short tracks and road courses.

Heading into 2020, NASCAR is working on a fix for that. NASCAR President Steve Phelps commented in November that they were working with teams to adjust the rules on short tracks.

There’s currently a development freeze on new parts as the industry awaits the 2021 car. The teams have agreed to lift that and allow new rules regarding short tracks for 2020.

It’s important as Phoenix Raceway will host the championship finale in 2020. It’s the first time that the NASCAR Playoffs will end on a short track.

We’re likely to see the same package on tracks larger than 1-mile. The short tracks however are likely to see half the downforce, closer to numbers from 2018.

Corey LaJoie on the short track package

NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie is in the loop. On a podcast, he release details of the pending changes that have yet to be announced.

“So we are going to have a low downforce package. The 750 (horsepower package) is going to have a comparable sized spoiler to what it had in 2018,” Corey LaJoie stated.

“It’s going to be a little bit bigger than what it was in 2018, not much. Less than three inches. The spoiler’s only going to be as tall as my cellphone.

“It will take the amount of downforce we had last year at the short tracks and cut it in half. So we had about 3,400 pounds of downforce is what they said last year and it should be about 1,700. So that’s a lot.”

“It’s up to Goodyear, the ball’s going to be in Goodyear’s court to make a little bit softer tire that degrades a little bit so we can move around and lay some rubber down at places like Richmond and Martinsville.”

“I don’t know what they’re going to do at Dover. I assume they’re going to be low downforce there as well, Phoenix. So hopefully it provides a little bit better racing.”

NASCAR responds

NASCAR has reacted to the comments above stating, “those efforts continue.”

However, they did not confirm or deny what LaJoie stated. Instead, they noted that they would release “more information when appropriate.”

More

Short track rules expected to change for 2020

NASCAR Next Gen test concluded at ISM Raceway

NASCAR concludes first test of 2021 Next Gen car (October 2019)

ISM Raceway will host the 2020 NASCAR finale; They need to fix it first

2021 NASCAR race car seen on-track for the first time

NASCAR to test 2021 race car for the first time

2020 NASCAR rules announced

NASCAR admits mistakes; Looks to return to roots in 2021

NASCAR details 2021 schedule ideas

Independent rear suspensions for 2021?

NASCAR is looking to bring short tracks back in 2021 and beyond

Links

Corey LaJoie | ISM Raceway | Richmond Raceway | Bristol Motor Speedway | Martinsville Speedway | Dover International Speedway | New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayNASCAR

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