A new rules package and steady rain limiting the amount of on-track time are challenges that separately would cause consternation within the garage. Combined together, those elements present a unique set of circumstances creating a cloud of ambiguity over Saturday night’s race at Kentucky Speedway.
The Quaker State 400 is the first event where NASCAR is introducing a different rules package, with the intent to create a more exciting product that better allows drivers to pass and not become bogged down when positioned behind another car.
NASCAR unveiled the changes last month — which include trimming the rear spoiler by 2.5-inches, a smaller radiator pan and a front splitter with less overhang — specifically for Kentucky.
The announcement was a welcome break from the sanctioning body’s policy of making modifications to the car during the offseason, not midseason. And it preceded additional track-specific changes disclosed Tuesday that go into effect for four upcoming races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Darlington Raceway and Richmond International Speedway.
Some of these of events will feature an aerodynamic package emphasizing high-drag (Indianapolis, Michigan), while Darlington will utilize guidelines similar to Kentucky, with Richmond seeing a different tire combination.
But first up is Kentucky. And whether there will be an increase in passing and proliferation of side-by-side racing is still to be determined.
“There is less grip and when there is less grip you are going a little bit slower through the corners, which is kind of the theory behind this package,” Jeff Gordon said. “We believe that you need to slow the cars down a little bit through the corners so that we are not so dependent on the aerodynamics. That when you are behind somebody you are losing that so much needed air.”
To test the new rules, NASCAR arranged a four-hour open drive for Wednesday. That was scuttled due to rain, however, as was Thursday’s re-scheduled session.
And Mother Nature again interfered on Friday, when a morning round of practice had to be cut to just 50 minutes. Drivers did get a chance to make extensive runs late Friday afternoon after NASCAR scrubbed qualifying to allow more track time.
“I think there is a part of me that thought it would have been really cool had we not had any practice,” Gordon said. “Just went cold turkey and did it and see what it was like.”
Because of lessened downforce, the cars are looser, slide more and are harder to control. A common occurrence Friday was seeing a driver bobble entering the corner and having to slow down to regain control.
That their skill will factor more prominently in the outcome, as opposed to outside factors such as clean air and track position, has enthused many drivers. Brad Keselowski, who starts second Saturday night, said the cars should be “hard to drive” and that NASCAR’s top division shouldn’t resemble a video game where maintaining control seems a given.
“We would like to dictate the winners and losers of the race based on driver talent and perhaps not some of the peripheral items that come into play in a race,” Keselowski said. “This package is definitely leaning towards having that possibility. Certainly, the car’s performance will always play a role in who wins and who loses a race, but it feels slightly less significant.
“The car is a little harder to drive. It’s a racecar; it should be hard to drive. It shouldn’t be just point and play.”
NASCAR will evaluate Saturday’s race to define what, if any, adjustments should be implemented going forward. Kentucky is a good barometer — it’s a 1.5-mile oval similarly sized to the majority of tracks comprising the Sprint Cup schedule, including five of the 10 speedways in its playoffs.
What criteria NASCAR will use to define whether Kentucky’s rules package is a success isn’t set. It will almost certainly include driver feedback, but that may run counter to the expectations fans have. Often the two hold divergent standards.
Drivers prefer a car that gives them control and puts the onus on them, which can actually create more separation amongst the field. Meanwhile, some fans want to see close racing featuring an abundance of contact — the action typically associated with what they see on a short track or at a restrictor-plate race.
“I think a lot of fans out there respect the sport for what it was and what it has become, and the finishes that we do have,” Kyle Busch said. “And there are some fans out there that want to see us eight-wide across the start-finish line every single week for the win. That’s just not practicality and that’s not going to happen.
“There’s a way to put on good racing and for those that respect racing for what it is, they’ll see good racing in their own mind.”
So what’s going to happen Saturday night at Kentucky, then?
“Hopefully that will create the ability to pass a little bit more,” Gordon said. “But if you think you are going to go out there and run side-by-side that is a whole other story. You are going to go dive inside somebody and you are probably going to get loose and slide into them. There might be a little more contact, a few more cautions.”
