NASCAR alters restrictor plates to slow Busch cars

TALLADEGA, Ala. – NASCAR has ordered its Busch Series teams to use restrictor plates with smaller hole sizes after officials determined that speeds from Thursday's first practice were too high as Phoenix Racing's Mike Wallace posted a lap of 197.342 mph at Talladega Superspeedway.

The original restrictor plates had holes of 30/32nds of an inch. The new restrictor plates have holes of 29/32nds of an inch, meaning less air will flow through the carburetor. NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter said the engines are expected to turn out 15 to 20 less horsepower as a result.

Rookie practice was canceled, and the final practice was expected to begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Hunter said it would likely be extended more than the scheduled 60 minutes. The new plate was run in the Nextel Cup Series in 2004. Scenedaily.com