NASCAR team owner Roger Penske gives NASCAR's new aerodynamic rules package the grade of 'B', one race into its test. A variation of the new package was on display in Sunday's Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Altanta Motor Speedway, the second race of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. The race was won by Team Penske driver Brad Keselowski.
“I’d have to say a solid B. No one gets an A on their first exam, I don't think, but I'd say it's a solid B for NASCAR today,” Penske said after the Atlanta race.
"There were drivers, Brad included, and Joey [Logano, another Team Penske driver], twice, who could come from the back and come up so they could pass cars. I thought the one thing that was amazing to me was someone on the high line could run the low line going into (turn) two and stay with them and drag them back going down the straightaway. There’s some things you don’t see normally with the faster speeds."
The aim of NASCAR's new aero package is to improve racing at mile-and-a-half tracks by increasing downforce and lowering horsepower. Variations of the package include larger rear spoilers and front splitters, tapered spacers and aero ducts. The Atlanta package didn't include the aero ducts, but all components of the package will be on cars for the next race, Sunday's Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“The cars seemed to be more in control. You didn’t see any accidents, which maybe the fans like that, but I thought, overall, the package showed well, and to me, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens at Las Vegas," Penske said.
