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A20 SPORTS
Saturday 16 February 2019

NASCAR moving away from restrictor plates, not pack racing

power from about 850 to
approximately 725 at sev-
eral tracks.
The 2019 rules package
mandates those same-
sized spacers at all tracks
less than 1.33 miles. A 0.922-
inch spacer will be used
at all oval tracks 1.33 miles
and above, which will de-
crease engine horsepower
to about 550. That includes
Daytona and Talladega,
but won't take effect un-
til after Sunday's season
opener.
NASCAR's expectation is
that reducing horsepow-
er — in connection with a
larger spoiler that creates
more downforce — will
slow the cars down, lead
to more stability for drivers
and produce tighter rac-
ing.
"I totally expect to crash
more cars," defending se-
ries champion Joey Logano
said. "As cars are closer and
drivers are more aggres-
sive, a mistake will create a
bigger crash. We can't get
away from it. ... You know
how it is when you're on the
highway and they check
up right in front of you. You
can't stop quick enough
Martin Truex Jr. (19), Denny Hamlin (11), Kevin Harvick (4), Austin Dillon (3), Clint Bowyer (14), Erik Jones (20), Chase Elliott (9), Daniel
Suarez (41), Ryan Newman (6), Alex Bowman (88) and Aric Almirola (10) are involved in a multi-car pileup during the NASCAR Clash and you're only going 70,
auto race at Daytona International Speedway Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. you know? Try going 180.
Associated Press Game changes a little bit.
"So I assume there will be
By MARK LONG pion Bill Elliott said. "It's just a was that slower cars would guys would be doing 230- more crashes. I assume
AP Sports Writer different flavor, a different be less likely to go airborne plus now." we're all going to tear more
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) way of putting it. I guess following Bobby Allison's Drivers expect little ef- stuff up this year. And usual-
— There has been a string it's all about how you word crash at Talladega in May fect from the switch, even ly when there's more crash-
of goodbyes at Daytona things these days." 1987. His car sailed into the though the parts are dis- es, there's more conflict. So
International Speedway Plate racing has drawn catch-fence, spewing de- tinctly different. it will be interesting. Hang
in recent years, from Jeff plenty of criticism over the bris into the stands. Restrictor plates are an on." All of it is designed to
Gordon and Tony Stewart years, mostly from drivers That same year, Elliott set eighth of an inch, so thin give fans what they want:
to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and and team owners who pre- qualifying records at both that any imperfection — better, more dramatic rac-
Danica Patrick. fer cars not be bunched tracks, reaching 210.364 even a scratch — can cre- es — much like they've had
There is another one on tap together in two- and three- mph at Daytona and ate a disparity. at Daytona and Talladega
Sunday: The Daytona 500 wide packs at nearly 200 212.809 at Talladega. The Tapered spacers are pre- for 30-plus years. "Nobody
will be the final NASCAR mph and where the slight- configuration of the two cisely machined and pro- knows exactly what to ex-
race for restrictor plates, est contact creates a chain superspeedways simply vide much more even air pect," Stewart-Haas Rac-
the horsepower-sapping reaction and often man- meant higher speeds than distribution, essentially mak- ing team co-owner Tony
devices reduce speed and gles a bunch of $300,000 elsewhere on the NASCAR ing them more efficient. Stewart said. "Having a
were intended to improve cars. During this month's circuit. "I don't think there will be restrictor-plate package,
safety at the nation's fast- Speedweeks, though, the Slowing down the cars was a lot of change," said 2012 open package, this new
est tracks. package has created less- the quick and easy fix. NASCAR champion Brad package, we're all excited
Don't expect a big send-off than-ideal, single-file rac- "I probably contributed to Keselowski, who has won to see what it produces. At
for the oft-maligned part, ing that has some wonder- restrictor plates quite a bit," four of the last 20 races at the end of the day, it's all
which has been in use since ing what the 61st running of Elliott said. "If I hadn't done Daytona and Talladega. about making the racing
1988. NASCAR is merely "The Great American Race" it, somebody else would "They're going to do what more exciting for the fans,
switching to tapered spac- will look like. have come along and they want to do, so I better re-engaging the fans in the
ers at every track to keep NASCAR implemented done it. We can always figure out how to win with sport. "I think restrictor-plate
speeds in check. the use of restrictor plates look back and say, 'Well, it." racing at Daytona and Tal-
"No matter what you call it, at Daytona International we should have done this Tapered spacers have ladega is always going to
you're still restricting the air Speedway and Talladega or should have done that.' been used in NASCAR's be an element of its own
flow to the engine," two- Superspeedway as a safety Here we are 32 years later, Cup Series since 2015, that really is separate from
time Daytona 500 winner measure more than three and if they would have left when a 1.170-inch alumi- what you see the rest of the
and 1988 NASCAR cham- decades ago. The hope the engines unrestricted, num block reduced horse- season."q