That’s good news for NASCAR teams and drivers who have complained this season about the inability to pass. Previous changes, including reductions in horsepower, have bunched up the field from front to back during Sprint Cup racing. That’s good. But it hasn’t translated to better racing up among the leaders.
To reduce down force, the Kentucky Package reduces the spoiler from 6 inches to 3.5 inches, reduces the front splitter extension (or radiator pan) from 38 inches to 25 inches and reduces the overhang by 1.75 inches. The reduction in aerodynamics should make the cars looser, especially in the corners.
At Kentucky, drivers will be wheeling a car less stable through the corners, forcing them to let off the throttle. Drivers have been able to run full-throttle on tracks between a mile and two miles this season, giving the leader running in clean air a distinct advantage. That won’t be the situation at Kentucky.
“I think the racing is really good right now,” Sprint Cup driver Matt Kenseth said. “But it is hard to pass. It’s probably as hard to pass or harder to pass than what it’s ever been, which as the competition gets better, as there’s more alliances, more big teams, the cars are closer to the same speed, it’s going to be harder to pass. I think we all understand that.”
NASCAR understood, so changes were made. There was talk of implementing the Kentucky Speedway package at the non-points All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in April. O’Donnell said the aggressive changes weren’t ready in time for the All-Star race.
Kentucky was the logical option.
O’Donnell said NASCAR purposely waited to make the announcement so teams, especially the bigger budget programs, couldn’t gain an advantage. NASCAR didn’t want wind tunnel testing done on the Kentucky Package.
It has, though, created plenty of buzz.
And, hopefully, passing.
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