NASCAR made their intermediate tracks a lot better in 2019; Short tracks suffered; NASCAR is already looking to fix it
For 2020, NASCAR brought in a new rules package. The aim was to bunch up the field and create more passing opportunities.
They increased downforce dramatically. The front spiltter size was increased as was the height of the rear spoiler.
Read MoreChassis 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.
Read MoreDrivers and teams were vocal against NASCAR’s uncontrolled tire policy; The rule has now been updated
Two weeks ago, Denny Hamlin’s crew left a tire more than arms length away during a pit stop. That resulted in a penalty during the race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Hamlin was sent to the tail of the field.
Read MoreHamlin didn’t like the pit road penalty; NASCAR EVP responds; Hamlin rebuttals
On Sunday, Denny Hamlin was hit with an uncontrolled tire penalty. After winning stage 1 at Chicagoland Speedway, Hamlin was only able to salvage a 15th place finish.
The rule is that the tire needs to remain within an arms distance of the person controlling it.
Read MoreKyle Busch dominated the race at Pocono Raceway; He still doesn’t like the package
Ahead of the 2019 season, NASCAR brought in a shiny new rules package. In short, it features higher downforce and less horsepower.
That takes race cars of the past that were completely out of control and tones them way down.
Read MoreTwo NASCAR car chiefs have been ejected ahead of qualifying
Qualifying is up next for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Teams will need to pass pre-qualifying inspection before taking to the track.
Qualifying will see groups of three cars take to the track at the same time.
Read MoreKevin Harvick’s #4 team spent several days trying to hang the new front splitter exactly right
This weekend, NASCAR is bringing some experimental elements to the race track. A step splitter will be installed on nose of the car. Additionally, the hood will have a working duct punched in the center.
Read MoreWe’ll get our first look at possible elements for the 2021 Gen 7 race car this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway
The NASCAR All-Star race is up next. There’s $1,000,000 on the line for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field. The race will be run at night on May 18.
Read MoreKevin Harvick: “There’s a little frustration on the driver’s side because it has fallen on deaf ears.”
Before and again after, Kyle Busch knocked the Dover International Speedway rules package. Specifically, he comments were regarding an inability to pass.
Before the race, Busch noted the corner speeds were too high.
Read MoreNASCAR issued a memo today announcing the rules change
Pocono Raceway, Darlington Raceway and the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway will see an adjustment in the rule book. The rules adjustment is specifically for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field.
Previously, it was announced that those tracks would be run without aero ducts.
Read MoreKyle Busch wasn’t satisfied with the new rules package for Dover International Speedway; Team owner Bob Leavine seconds that
First off, Dover International Speedway saw a 76% increase in the number of green flag passes over the same race a year ago.
Martin Truex Jr started at the back of the field following an inspection issue ahead of the race.
Read MoreNASCAR inspection penalty at Dover International Speedway
Aric Almirola was penalized ahead of Friday’s qualifying round at Dover International Speedway.
The Stewart-Haas Racing team failed their first two attempts through the inspection line. As a result, Chad Haney was ejected from the speedway for the remainder of the race weekend.
Read MoreNASCAR confiscated the rear spoiler of Austin Dillon; They handed out a fine, suspension and point penalty this week
In between the first and second practice session last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR added a wicker to the rear spoiler. This was in addition to the 9 inch spoiler which was already new for the event since the previous season.
Read MoreNASCAR returns to single car qualifying in all three national divisions
For the past 5 years, NASCAR has run three rounds of group qualifying on the majority of race tracks on the schedule.
2019 introduced a new rules package featuring less horsepower and more downforce at all tracks over 1 mile in length.
Read MoreCrew chief Danny Stockman and driver Austin Dillon comment on the rear spoiler confiscation
On Friday, NASCAR confiscated the rear deck lid, spoiler included of the #3 machine of Austin Dillon.
The rules have changed for Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. Cars rolled into the track with a 9″
Read MoreNASCAR tried slowing the cars down in final Talladega Superspeedway practice; They went faster instead
This weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, teams are running the first superspeedway race in several decades without a restrictor plate.
Now, that doesn’t mean the cars are rolling at 250mph. Instead, they’ve added a 0.922-inch tapered spacer on the engine.
Read More2019 NASCAR green passing numbers compared to the previous season
In years past, NASCAR went to low downforce. Then, they went to even lower downforce. This year, they’ve swung the pendulum on the other direction.
On paper, it’s working.
View the 2019 NASCAR passing numbers below.
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