NASCAR officially confirmed a variety of changes and tweaks to the 2017 rules for all three of its national championships.
An interesting update to the rules for all three NASCAR series is allowing drivers to wear biometric devices in the cockpit.
However, NASCAR has strict regulations around this. They must not have telematics capability, have to operate on their own internal battery power, can’t connect to vehicle electric systems and the data can only be stored on the device itself.
External data loggers are not permitted and the data is not allowed to be downloaded during qualifying or the race. The device must be one of those listed on NASCAR’s approved driver biometric device.
The number of tyres available to Cup drivers has been cut for 13 of the 36 points-paying races and increased for eight events, compared to 2016.
The change in sets has only been adjusted by one, apart from the finale at Homestead-Miami which has gone from 12 to 10.
Non-restrictor plate tracks will see a shortened rear spoiler measuring 2.35 inches being used in the 2017 Cup series.
At Daytona and Talladega, the restrictor plate opening will decrease to 1/64 of an inch in the Cup and Xfinity championships.
An emergency roof hatch was optional at superspeedways last year but is now mandatory, but remains optional for non-superspeedways.