Possible changes being discussed for NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2017

Xfinity action

NASCAR met with team managers from the Xfinity Series on Friday to discuss upcoming changes to the tour for 2017 writes Lee Spencer of Motorsport.com.

On the table is a test for early October at Indianapolis Motor Speedway using restrictor plates in an effort to decrease horsepower to the 400 hp range for the 2.5-mile track. NASCAR currently uses restrictor plates at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

Restrictor plates at IMS?

When Motorsport.com asked Xfinity Series director Wayne Auton whether lowering horsepower on the cars could promote passing, he replied, “It’s a proposed test. There’s no way I could answer that. We’ve been talking to the teams about a lot of different stuff. As you heard, we had a pretty big meeting yesterday in the trailer with a lot of the technical people and a lot of things were discussed, and it’s all about making racing better for the fans and the drivers."

This year’s Lilly Diabetes 250 at the Brickyard had no on-track passes for the lead. Kyle Busch led all but one lap. He relinquished the lead to Brendan Gaughan after pitting for service under green, then regained it when Gaughan pitted in the same cycle.

Some teams suggested skipping the oval test and transitioning straight to a road course at Indy, but that option does not appear to be a possibility at this time. Teams also talked about streamlining the travel schedule in an effort to lower costs for NASCAR’s secondary series. Lee Spencer/Motorsport