NASCAR goes with low downforce rules package for 2016 season

Following a Sprint Cup pair of races that incorporated a lower downforce rules package and drew subsequent widespread approval from drivers, that same aerodynamic package will become the standard next season, NASCAR announced Wednesday.

The low-downforce package featuring a considerably reduced rear spoiler -- from 6 inches to 3.5 inches -- among other alterations played a significant factor in generating additional passing and side-by-side racing when used in July at Kentucky Speedway and September at Darlington Raceway. The package to be utilized in 2016 is virtually identical to what was ran at Kentucky and Darlington just with a slightly larger radiator pan.

”The success of the races at Kentucky and Darlington in similar trim proved extremely valuable in accelerating rules development for 2016, said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Now, as teams have even more time to prepare and a strong baseline of data, we anticipate the racing to be even better.”

Drivers have enthusiastically praised the configuration that makes cars harder to control due to less traction and requires deceleration entering a corner, therefore emphasizes their ability and pushed NASCAR to adapt the package universally.

“It’s certainly what all the drivers and everybody thinks is the right direction as far as passing and putting on better racing,” Matt Kenseth told reporters while testing Wednesday at Phoenix International Raceway.

NASCAR initially favored a high-drag aerodynamic package with a taller 9-inch spoiler that would stimulate drafting pack racing and drafting and ran such a setup in summer races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Michigan International Speedway. The concept, however, did not improve the on-track product and both races were largely viewed as failures with little passing and drivers vehemently decrying the package afterward.

“Ultimately, what do we think is going to put on the best race,” O’Donnell said. “What we kept coming back to was looking at the low downforce package and what steered us away initially was the speeds that we would potentially be running at Michigan.

“But in sitting down with Goodyear and the industry, I think we’ve really hit on the ability to match that tire with the configuration we have now and feel really good with an upcoming test about the direction we’re going for all those tracks outside of superspeedways to deploy the low downforce package.”

The only two ovals where the low-downforce package will not be implemented are Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR’s two restrictor-plate tracks each host two races annually.

NASCAR will continue the package it announced in January through the duration of the current season. Track-specific adjustments pertaining to different tire combinations will not change. And despite lobbying from drivers, horsepower levels will also remain as is and not increase.

“We had discussions,” O’Donnell said of additional horsepower, “but that was never a direction we wanted to head in.”