NASCAR Atlanta preview: Drivers struggling to adjust to new rules package

The Daytona 500 is NASCAR’s signature event. But the fundamental difference between the Great American Race and events of similar stature is that it’s the gateway to a season ahead, whereas the Super Bowl, the World Series and the like serve as finales.

While NASCAR’s crown jewel carries great importance in the grand scheme, it is just one of the 36 races that make up the Sprint Cup schedule. Furthermore, because of its outlier nature as one of just four restrictor-plate races, little is often deduced on what may transpire over the subsequent 35 weeks. It’s why drivers often say the season doesn’t really begin until the week after Daytona.

The statement that there may be few lessons to take away from the season-opener is even more apt this year thanks to a multitude of rule changes, which were not utilized at Daytona but will be incorporated this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

In an effort to better promote passing on intermediate-sized ovals that cluster the Cup calendar -- the exact kind of track the 1.5-mile Atlanta speedway represents -- NASCAR is limiting engine horsepower from 840 to 725 and shortening the rear spoiler by two inches. Additionally, drivers will now have the ability to make chassis adjustments from inside the cockpit with the option of raising or lowering the track bar.

Like any change, opinions are mixed regarding the potential effect. Many are still getting accustomed to the option of so dramatically altering the handling of their cars with a flick of the knob.

“I think that will be a really neat tool that we get to use as driver,” Kyle Larson said. “It is nice that they allow us to put a little bit more into the driver’s hands.”

Said Carl Edwards: “To be honest with you, I think that’s going to be an opportunity for us drivers to screw ourselves up more than it is to help us. I ended up playing with it for a few laps and then put it right back where it was, because it wasn’t doing exactly what I wanted it to do.”

During an open practice Thursday many drivers mistakenly hit the switch, which is generally located on the steering wheel. One was Jeff Gordon, who, while attempting to radio his team, instead pushed the wrong control, causing a brief scare. Kasey Kahne experienced a similar issue, though his mechanism was on his right leg brace.

“Every time I reach for mine, I miss it and it takes about half the straightaway to find it,” Kahne said.

Conventional wisdom in the Cup garage figured the rule modifications would decrease speeds, a trend many felt needed to be curbed. Track records are being broken with great frequency thanks to the abundance of sweeping ovals, many of which have been recently repaved and therefore have offered considerably more grip.

But instead of slower lap times, what drivers encountered at Atlanta was that the lack of horsepower allowed them to carry more speed into and through the corners. Kevin Harvick, who qualified second, estimated he was 11 mph faster into the turn than previously. The uptick in speed was reflected by pole-sitter Joey Logano, who posted a speed four miles faster than Harvick’s pole-winning time from last August despite having less horsepower.

“To be third is great because it is a challenging place because tires fall off fast here and we kept going faster every time we went out, which is unheard of,” said third-place qualifier Jamie McMurray. “With this rules package, the entry speed is quite a bit slower so that makes it a little bit easier. It’s been pretty cold all day, but it did cool down quite a bit more in the last hour. But the track had a lot of grip from the time we unloaded. It has been so cool, the sun hasn’t really affected it.”

And then there was the unintended consequence the new rules had on qualifying. As typically is the case at the beginning of the year, teams were uncertain about the extent to which NASCAR would police its new procedures concerning side skirts and aerodynamics. There was no surprise, then, when over a quarter of the field struggled to pass technical inspection prior to qualifying Friday -- 13 drivers never made it onto the track, including former Sprint Cup champions Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth.

Fingers quickly pointed at NASCAR for its perceived helplessness to scrutinize cars in a timely manner. Gordon called the whole ordeal “embarrassing,” all but declaring it a black eye for the sport that a team such as his never posted a qualifying lap.

Officials, however, were equally quick to blame the teams for not presenting cars within the pre-established guidelines. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director Richard Buck pointed out many of those who failed to gain clearance even after multiple trips through the inspection bay, including the cars of Gordon and Johnson.

“A new downforce package, new rules package, less horsepower and so there was a lot of things that were put into this recipe that the cooks, if you will, in the garage area were trying to get the recipe right, and they were pushing the edge on everything,” Buck said.

That a host of prominent names won’t be starting near the front creates another interesting dynamic for Sunday. Gordon, Johnson and Kenseth are viewed as likely contenders. Now, though, they will be starting 35th on back, which makes their chances of getting to the front precarious. And joining the four former series champions in the rear is Harvick, the current Cup champion. He will have to forgo his No. 2 starting position after losing an engine in Saturday practice.

“I am just glad that it happened today,” Harvick said. “If we were going to have something happen, this is a good place to have it happen because you can pass.”

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