NASCAR Drivers Shake Down 2019 Aero Package in Goodyear Tire Test
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| Daniel Hemric turns laps with the new aero package at Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| John Davison/RIS |
NASCAR’s new 2019 aero package for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series got one of it’s first shakedowns on Tuesday as Goodyear conducted the first of two tire-testing sessions with four Cup Series drivers on the 1.5-mile oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Chevy drivers William Byron and Daniel Hemric, along with Toyota driver Erik Jones and Ford driver Aric Almirola, were on hand for the test and commented on the contrast between the new aero package and the current one.
The new rules baseline rules package – which will be utilized at racetracks a mile or more in length – features an eight-inch by 61-inch rear spoiler, a new 37-inch-wide radiator pan that tapers back to 31 inches, and a new front splitter with a two-inch overhang. The new package will also utilize tapered spacers in the engines to reduce horsepower to about 550 hp, and aero ducts to reduce downforce at certain tracks.
Although some elements of the 2019 aero package were used in last May’s NASCAR All Star Race, Tuesday’s test marked the first time team had gotten to try out the full package on the racetrack
As drivers learned some of the details of the new rules package over the summer, some spoke out against it – chief among them Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch, none of whom were present for the test – claiming the package does too much to slow down the cars, taking the driver more out of the equation.
By contrast, the driver’s in Tuesday’s test nonetheless impressed with what they were seeing.
"This package has even more power," said Erik Jones. "I don't think we'll be close to wide open once we get rolling. It depends on how much you need to trim it out. We've tried some stuff where you can gain some easy speed – three or four tenths of a second – but we don't really know yet how that's going to affect you in a pack. We've got 100 more horsepower now and a little bit more downforce (than the original All-Star package)."
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| William Byron |
| John Davison/RIS |
William Byron, who blew a motor in his Chevrolet during the first half of the testing session, said drivers should be able to adapt quickly to the new changes.
"The biggest difference is you're accelerating into a corner, which is a different feel for most of us," Byron said. "Other than that, I feel like guys can figure it out pretty soon. (This package) is more about precision with how you're around guys and how you make moves. It's still racing, it's the same race car and you'll have to do the same things to go fast."
Goodyear will run an additional tire test at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 30 and a two-day test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway later in the year. The new package will see its first regular-season action on Feb 24 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
– Pete McCole reporting from Charlotte Motor Speedway