NASCAR to meet with teams at New Hampshire about 2016 rules package
"It should be a good session to say here's where we are going to make sure we're on the same page." After receiving rave reviews at Kentucky Speedway and Darlington Raceway, it's expected the low-downforce package assuredly will be implemented next season at 1.5-mile superspeedways (which comprise the bulk of the schedule with 13 of 36 races).
Grant expects much of Friday's discussion to focus on whether the low-downforce package also would be used at short tracks (Richmond International Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway) and the bigger ovals (Michigan International Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway).
The low downforce package is intended to reduce the emphasis on aerodynamics, theoretically enhancing drivers' ability to pass because their cars aren't as glued to the asphalt. Aerodynamics typically play less of a role on short tracks, but there was chatter last Saturday after a mostly lackluster regular season finale at Richmond International Raceway that low downforce would work on the 0.75-mile oval.
Grant said Goodyear is a "big fan" of using low downforce more frequently. "It brings tires into play and takes aero away," he said.
"We were really happy with the results we had (at Kansas). We're big fans of taking the air away. The stress on the tire and loads run for years has been tough at these fast tracks. Take some of the load off the tire, and it gives us more freedom to design. I like that."
Goodyear will begin production on its NASCAR tires by the end of October for next season's Daytona 500 (though that race wouldn't feature low downforce). It has scheduled further 2016 testing within the next month at Phoenix International Raceway and Atlanta Motor Speedway and also will test at Homestead-Miami Speedway in December and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in January. NBC Sports