NASCAR

NASCAR drivers address potential midseason rules changes

Jun 12, 2015, 2:54 PM

Martin Truex Jr. (78) leads Joey Logano (22), Jimmie Johnson (48) and Kevin Harvick (4) on a late r...

Martin Truex Jr. (78) leads Joey Logano (22), Jimmie Johnson (48) and Kevin Harvick (4) on a late restart in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., Sunday, June 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Martin Truex Jr. has plenty of questions about the possibility of midseason rules changes aimed at creating better racing.

“What’s it going to be like?” the NASCAR Sprint Cup driver said. “Is it going to do what they think and what some of the drivers think it’s going to do?”

And then there’s perhaps the most important concern.

“How much time do you want to spend on worrying about one race? Are we going to have this rules package for the Chase?” he said.

Sprint Cup drivers spent time Friday addressing potential rule changes that could occur as early as next month’s race at Kentucky. NASCAR met with key industry leaders at its North Carolina research and development center this week to discuss that possibility, according to a person who attended the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity because NASCAR requested the details not be made public.

Various rule packages were discussed. It’s not clear if the changes would be limited to Kentucky, a 1.5-mile speedway that can be very dependent on aerodynamics. Kentucky is similar to Charlotte Motor Speedway, which hosted two races last month where passing was difficult.

“I’m fine with what I’m hearing about a reduction in downforce if they can bring a softer tire,” Jeff Gordon said to reporters after being asked about the issue. “To me that is the whole key in kind of where we are at today. We knew the power was being reduced. A lot of the drivers were really asking for less downforce if the power was going to be reduced, but the key component to that was being able to get Goodyear to match the tire up for that to have a little bit more grip at the beginning of a run and maybe have some fall off.”

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is also on NASCAR’s schedule next month, and racing could be difficult to watch there under the current rules package. The Brickyard 400 has diminished the last several years because passing is at a premium and the field is easily strung out. The track is also hard on tires.

For now, NASCAR has to work closely with Goodyear on any potential rule changes and it’s not clear if the tiremaker can handle significant changes without sacrificing quality. That’s why any potential changes could be limited to Kentucky, with a hopeful eye on Indianapolis and the August race at Michigan.

“I’d be in favor of anything that makes the cars able to race around each other and to put more of the speed into the drivers’ hands,” Carl Edwards said. “I know NASCAR is all for the same thing. Everybody wants this thing to be the best possible show for the fans and I don’t think NASCAR is scared to make changes.”

There was no official comment from NASCAR, but Edwards sounded like he’d be fine with changing the rules at this point in the season.

“As long as the teams are able to implement the changes logistically and financially without a huge burden, change anything you want anytime you want,” he said. “As long as it’s the same for everyone, who cares? As far as I’m concerned, you could make up rules or have changes five minutes before the race starts.”

___

AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer contributed to this report.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Nascar

Christopher Bell...

Associated Press

Christopher Bell pulls away for NASCAR Cup Series win at Phoenix Raceway

Christopher Bell surged into the lead when Martin Truex Jr. was forced to pit and pulled away for a NASCAR Cup Series win at Phoenix Raceway.

17 days ago

Denny Hamlin,...

Associated Press

Denny Hamlin earns pole for NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday

Denny Hamlin will start on the pole for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series event at Phoenix Raceway, as Toyota grabbed four of the top six spots.

18 days ago

Associated Press

Chase Briscoe earns first Cup Series victory at Phoenix Raceway

Chase Briscoe raced to his first Cup Series victory, executing two great restarts over the final 20 laps on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.

2 years ago

Nicholas Hodell

Kyle Larson wins NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway

Kyle Larson took command of the final 28 laps at Phoenix Raceway to win Sunday's race and the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

2 years ago

Nicholas Hodell

NASCAR’s final 4 worried solely about Sunday’s finale in Phoenix

The NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 are keeping other talking points at bay ahead of Sunday's finale at Phoenix Raceway.

2 years ago

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Team Penske Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang, leads during the NASCAR Cup...

Jake Anderson

NASCAR plans Phoenix Raceway sportsbook with Barstool

Arizona will become the fifth state in the country to feature the online Barstool Sportsbook after Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

3 years ago

NASCAR drivers address potential midseason rules changes