Plates to get test with 'car of tomorrow'

By Bob Pockrass
Friday, October 06, 2006

NASCAR plans to bring eight sets of restrictor plates, and some could have holes as big as 1-inch in diameter (the current holes are 57/64-inch in diameter), when teams test the "car of tomorrow" Monday at Talladega Superspeedway.

By instituting a gear rule for restrictor-plate engines (there is no current gear rule) and utilizing the car of tomorrow's increased drag, NASCAR could allow more air to flow through the engines. The first restrictor-plate car of tomorrow race is scheduled for October 2007 at Talladega.

"Because it is different than our downforce tests which we've done, we're going to go [and ask teams] to put this plate on with this gear," NASCAR Director of Cost Research Brett Bodine said. "We're going to be able to zero in pretty quick on the package."

Ten teams plan on attending the test at Talladega: Richard Childress Racing (Clint Bowyer), Roush Racing (Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray), Hendrick Motorsports (Jimmie Johnson), Evernham Motorsports (Scott Riggs), MB2 Motorsports (Joe Nemechek), Haas CNC Racing (Jeff Green), Dale Earnhardt Inc. (Kerry Earnhardt), Team Red Bull (Mike Skinner), Wyler Racing (Ricky Rudd) and Chip Ganassi Racing (Juan Pablo Montoya).

"I don't know what all we're going to learn there," Johnson said. "It's good to have the car of tomorrow on the superspeedway. Our engineers, NASCAR and everybody will learn a lot in general about the car.

"But until we get 20 or 30 cars in the draft, it's real hard for me to notice something, feel a big difference. I'll imagine it won't be enough in the draft to show any trends, but I think we'll all be a lot smarter leaving there about our superspeedway programs."

Joe Gibbs Racing, Penske Racing South, Robert Yates Racing and Petty Enterprises are among the teams planning on skipping the test.

Mentioned Drivers: Carl Edwards

No Comments

Be the first to comment on "Plates to get test with 'car of tomorrow'". Login or sign up for a free account to post your comment

Post a Comment

Disclaimer: All comments are subject to filtering for language, and libelous content. We reserve the right to remove any comments deemed inappropriate.

Comment Preview

Jul 9, 2009 at 9:05 PM
You said:

You must login before you can post comments or rate content.

If you don't have a login you can create a free account.

NASCAR Schedules

tnt

LifeLock.com 400

Chicagoland Speedway
08:16 PM, 07/11/2009

Poll PositionView All

Was anyone at fault for the mayhem at the finish of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway?

Promotions

  • Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!

  • Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.

  • Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the Jeff Gordon Racing School.

  • Play our simulation racing fantasy game. Free with promo code "FREECRD".

NASCAR Community Join the Community

In the Forums View All

Presented by

Don't have an account yet?

Insiders Guide to NASCAR

Register with SceneDaily.com and get access to the following features:

  • FREE Insider’s Guide to NASCAR (available as a PDF download)
  • Daily NASCAR news updates delivered directly to your e-mail
  • Pre-race and Post-race emails delivered each race week
  • Ability to comment on blog and news articles
  • Information on new website features and upcoming contests
Create my Account

Login

Forgot Password?
Login or Create an Account