NASCAR moves to low downforce package for 2016 season
Races at Kentucky and Darlington were considered a success
NASCAR moves to low downforce package for 2016 season Races at Kentucky and Darlington were considered a success Check out this story on IndyStar.com: http://indy.st/1Luf5lY
Gannett Published 3:24 p.m. ET Oct. 14, 2015
Jul 11, 2015; Sparta, KY, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) passes Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) for the lead during the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports(Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
NASCAR will use a lower downforce aerodynamic rules package on its cars for the 2016 season, the sanctioning body announced Wednesday.
The reduced downforce package is similar to the one used this summer at Kentucky Speedway and Darlington Raceway, where it earned positive reviews for the quality of racing. Lower downforce means the cars have less grip in the corners, making it more difficult for drivers to stay in the gas.
In turn, that opens the opportunity for more side-by-side racing and passing.
"NASCAR has worked tirelessly with our teams, drivers, manufacturers and Goodyear to develop a rules package that provides fans with the best racing possible," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "The success of the races at Kentucky and Darlington in similar trim proved extremely valuable in accelerating rules development for 2016. Now, as teams have even more time to prepare and a strong baseline of data, we anticipate the racing to be even better."
NASCAR had originally wanted to test the 2016 rules package at the All-Star Race in May, with the goal of finalizing the package shortly thereafter so teams could get a head start on next season.
But in the spring, NASCAR seemed to suddenly back off from changing the rules at all. The racing was competitive and the races were being won by different drivers, so there perhaps would be no tweaks from the 2015 package. If so, that would have the added benefit of saving money for race teams who wouldn't have to invest extra in research and development.
Once word of NASCAR's thinking began to filter, however, the drivers pushed back. They campaigned for a lower downforce package while NASCAR thought a high drag concept would be the way to go.
As it turned out, the drivers were correct: Kentucky and Darlington were great races while the high-drag races (Indianapolis and Michigan) were duds.
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