Wow... You have to wonder what's going to come of it, but NASCAR apparently really was serious about backing off a bit.
Among the new rules announced:
Bump drafting on the restrictor plate tracks is back. In theory, this will hopefully alleviate the crazy parade effect that occurred in the last 'Dega race. At the very least, it'll keep the drivers from being quite so paranoid about contact while drafting.
Realistically, bump drafting, in and of itself, hasn't really been an issue. It's been STUPID bump drafting (e.g., in the corners, off-center, etc.), that's caused problems. The drivers have made their opinions about that known in the past, so it'll be something to watch. Letting the drivers police themselves... well, that's what NASCAR is supposedly trying to do, anyway.
Additionally, they're introducing a larger restrictor plate (the language here is a little weird... a LARGER restrictor plate is actually less restrictive, as the size refers to the holes allowing air flow for the air/gas mixture in the carburetor. Yes, stock cars still have those). I suspect the hope here is that passing will be easier (i.e., engine is outputting more power), and the cars will be less aerodynamically sensitive. More power, yay.
Of course, also impacting the aerodynamics is the return of a rear spoiler in place of the wing that was a sort of trademark of the new car. The specifications of the new spoiler aren't clear yet (at least not to an outsider like me), but its return will mean a more 'familiar' looking stock car along with hopefully avoiding some of the fiascoes that have occurred when the car gets turned around, especially on restrictor plate tracks.
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