Scott's Pit Box: 2016 Rules Package Unveiled

NASCAR has revealed that it will go with the lower down-force package that was ran at Kentucky and Darlington earlier this season for the 2016 season.

Next year's base package will include a 3.5-inch rear spoiler (currently 6 inches), a 0.25 inch front leading splitter edge (currently 2 inches) and a 33-inch wide radiator pan (currently 38 inches; it was 28 inches at Darlington and Kentucky this season).  The results of the package at Kentucky provide much better racing and the drivers and fans felt that it put more of the car in the drivers hands.

The package will also allow Goodyear Tire Company to develop a tire that will go with the new package and produce more fall-off, which would in return could hopefully lead to more passing.  A softer tire, such as the one ran at Darlington, led drivers to saving their tires.  The package is planned to be ran at all tracks with the exception of the two restrictor plate venues Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway; each track will have its own tire combinations and drive train configurations, a flexibility NASCAR looked to produce the best possible racing for different venues.

The other changes that will go with the package include adjusted rear gear ratios to maintain a 9,000 RPM maximum engine speed, and a 1.38 third gear ratio for tracks smaller than 1.25 miles.  The two plate tracks will also have a few tweaks of their own.  Engine roller lifters will replace the current lifters (adding approximately 10 horse power), which in turn will reduce the size of the restictor plate to 29/32 inches to 57/64 inches.  NASCAR will also make the new digital dashboard mandatory on all the cars in the Sprint Cup Series entire schedule for 2016.  Safety enhancements include a new fire suppression activation system, right-hand side double NACA duct to better cool drivers at the tracks where a side window is used and enhanced safety belt restraint system.