Three races remain before the Sprint Cup Series concludes its regular season, then comes the 10-race playoffs, which will not wrap until mid-November. But even with more than a third of the overall schedule remaining, NASCAR is already focusing attention on 2017, beginning with Sunday’s event at Michigan International Speedway (NBC Sports, 2:16 p.m. ET; livestream on NBCSports.com).
NASCAR Michigan 2016: Start time, TV schedule and live stream for Pure Michigan 400
A different aerodynamic rules package changes the complexion of Sunday’s race with some drivers believing it levels the field.
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Once again the 2-mile track located about 90 minutes from downtown Detroit is serving as a proving ground to test under real-time conditions a different aerodynamic package NASCAR hopes to incorporate full-time next season. Similar to what it did when the Sprint Cup Series raced at Michigan in June and last August.
On Sunday, NASCAR will take another look at an even lower downforce aero package than the one currently used on all non- restrictor-plate tracks. This rules configuration, which includes a reduction of the rear spoiler from 3.5 inches high to 2.5 inches high and from 61 inches long to 53 inches long and a smaller front splitter, also ran here two months ago and at Kentucky Speedway in July.
Because NASCAR doesn’t want teams to divert attention away from focusing on the 10 Chase for the Sprint Cup playoffs, the Pure Michigan 400 will be the final test in actual race conditions. If the feedback is encouraging and NASCAR likes the on-track product it sees, this package in all likelihood will be the basis for the package used in 2017.
The lower downforce package is designed to produce additional passing opportunities by reducing the amount of grip a car has while at speed. As a byproduct, cars are harder to control. Therefore, a driver must lean on their ability to avoid crashing -- something they’ve had a hard time doing, as evident by the rash of accidents at Michigan in June (seven) and at Kentucky in July (10).
Increased passing and a multitude of spinning cars is expected to again be prevalent on Sunday.
“The cars are very loose,” Brad Keselowski said. “They are very difficult to drive as they should be. That causes a lot of wiggles and bobbles and all those things on the race track that tend to lead to a lot of excitement. Hopefully, more than anything, it gets the cars to where we can run closer and tighter as a pack and have even more passing.”
Keselowski and Team Penske teammate Joey Logano have been the beneficiaries of NASCAR’s continued effort to take away downforce. Logano led 138 of 200 laps in winning at Michigan, while Keselowski took the win at Kentucky.
That Penske’s Fords have excelled with the even lower downforce package is not a coincidence, Keselowski said. When NASCAR impounded two cars apiece from its three manufacturers -- Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota -- following the Aug. 1 race at Pocono Raceway, it took the cars to its research and development facility in Concord, N.C., for extensive evaluation.
Although Keselowski didn’t see the exact data firsthand, he did speak with those who were privy to the results. And what it revealed didn’t surprise the former series champion.
“From an aero perspective, right now the Fords are the worst,” Keselowski said. “So when you go to a lower downforce we aren’t at quite a disadvantage. Since we are running well we have other advantages on the car, but from an aero perspective we are the worst in that category
“The lower downforce fits us well.”
How the season has unfolded supports NASCAR’s findings that Ford trails Toyota by a significant gap. Despite backing the fewest number of teams, Toyota has been dominant with its five main drivers combining to win 11 of 23 races and lead 57 percent of all laps.
The discrepancy between Toyota and Ford has been most noticeable on intermediate sized tracks like Michigan. However, as Logano demonstrated with his victory here in June and Keselowski at Kentucky, the lower downforce closes the deficit, putting Penske on more equal footing.
“I think if you look at the last few with this low downforce package, races, I think the field has been a little more equal,” said Logano, who captured the pole in qualifying. “When I say equal, I mean the Gibbs cars aren’t as dominant as they usually are. ... I wouldn’t say the Gibbs dominance is over. Do we feel we are a little closer? Yeah, I do and that is a good thing. That is a good direction.”
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