[h=2]NASCAR releases 2018 rules[/h] Tuesday, 03 October 2017
By Kelly Crandall / Image by Logan Whitton/LAT
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Following years of aerodynamic changes in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the sanctioning body is looking for things to settle down in 2018 as highlighted by the rules package delivered to teams Tuesday.
Among the changes will be the use of a common flat splitter. There will also be a move to a common radiator and oil cooler for all venues, currently done at just the superspeedway races (Daytona and Talladega).
"As we do that, some of the downforce will be removed from the car, so we will see a rearward shift in the balance of the car," said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR vice president of innovation and racing development, to NASCAR.com. "We estimate somewhere between two to two-and-a-half percentage points backward (approximately 100-120 pounds of downforce).
"So there will be an aerodynamic change. For that reason, we've decided to kind of leave things as they are because that will be something that teams will need to deal with. That's basically the big thing on the non-superspeedway tracks as far as the aero package is concerned."
There will also be an elimination of the ride height rules for superspeedway races as well as the mandatory rear shocks and springs.
Other highlights include:
- One rear gear at all tracks except for those with repaves or reconfiguration
- Reduction of aerodynamic fans located at the wheel corners
- The front sub frame rules have been modified to reduce aerodynamic development
Under safety:
- Incident Data Recorder (IDR) will be powered by vehicle power, allowing for continuous recording not just when triggered on impact.
- A high-speed in-car camera will be placed to the right of the driver to assist the IDR in understanding all incidents
- The mandatory rollout of the enhanced vehicle chassis (EVC) has been moved to 2019; all new chassis are still required to certify with EVC effective Nov. 20, 2017
While there will be limited changes in 2018, Stefanyshyn said there would be talks about changes for 2019. For now, the lack of change will go a long way
with the rollout of NASCAR's new inspection process.
"As we move to the next generation at-track inspection we've had engagement with the teams," Stefanyshyn said. "What do we officiate, to what kind of tolerance? The teams and OEMs have given us a lot of input. They want us to bring that in tighter. As we do that there will be some more aerodynamics that will come off the car."