Spoiler test next step toward change

With the NASCAR spoiler test in Talladega, I think we will possibly see a new draft package in the Sprint Cup cars, one more similar to that in the Nationwide Series cars. If it does indeed have that kind of effect, I think we are going to see a different style of racing come into play.

Not only do I see the possibility that side-drafting among Cup cars will be a little more important, but I think we will see the return of multi-car packs. I think the racing will be better when that comes back into play. Naturally, we won’t have the full impact of this new spoiler until we try it in race conditions. Let’s face it, these guys won’t be going four wide in practice like they will in the race.

The other area that will be looked at is the restrictor plate. NASCAR will need to come up with the right combination with the right restrictor plate that will make the cars race well. So this is a very important test at Talladega. We owe it not only to the fans, but we owe it to the competitors.

The playing field has to be kept level so that everyone has a fair chance. Sometimes it takes extra work to make sure of that. My point is everyone went through the winter anticipating running the wing all season long. So when NASCAR decided to go back to the spoiler, it naturally takes a little more effort on everyone’s part to get it right.

I don’t think you will see significant changes to the spoiler after the test. I believe NASCAR has plenty of information now and feels pretty satisfied with what it is going to come up with now. Officials already have a ton of wind-tunnel information plus computer-program modeling with that spoiler on the car. Still, might there be minor adjustments or something minor added or taken away? Sure.

I think the biggest thing NASCAR has added to the package is what we call the “shark fin” being fixed on the superspeedways, but variable everywhere else. That will allow the teams to tune on the car a little bit now. They will have the ability to add or subtract downforce and/or sideforce. This will be something they will work with and get better with as they learn what effect it has on the car.

Let’s face it, there are no guarantees on this thing. There is no exact science on it. I think that is why NASCAR is allowing adjustments everywhere but the superspeedways.

All this combined is just a process starting down a new road with the Car of Tomorrow and what it will take to make the car happy. Always remember, when you have a happy race car, you have a happy driver. With a happy driver, you have harder and better racing.

I believe with NASCAR going back to the spoiler is the right move. Let’s face it, this is what stock cars are supposed to look like. They are supposed to have spoilers and not wings. Also, it is what our hardcore fans said they would like to have. Honestly, even more important than those two points, from a safety standpoint, this might be the smartest thing they do.

Anytime you can reduce the takeoff point of one of these stock cars when they get turned around backwards, like we saw in Atlanta, that is definitely a step in the right direction.