NASCAR announced Wednesday the addition of aero ducts to the rules package for upcoming Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono Raceway, Darlington Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series aerodynamic rules package includes 550 and 750 hp variations, with the 550 hp varation typically utilized at tracks one mile and larger and the 750 hp variation at short tracks. At most tracks for which the 550 hp variation is mandated, aero ducts are used, while brake ducts or block-offs are on cars for other races.
Although cars carried the 550 hp package at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the second race of the year, in February, cars were equipped with brake ducts instead of the aero ducts. Previous plans for Pocono, Darlington and Homestead races included the 550 hp package but no aero ducts, like Atlanta.
“When we originally looked at which elements of the package to race at each track, we wanted to err on the side of caution at a few tracks where there may be some brake cooling concerns,” NASCAR Senior Vice President of Innovation and Racing John Probst said, as quoted in an NBC Sports article. “After reviewing data from Atlanta, and with what we’ve learned over the first 11 races, we believe we can use the ducts without issue. In conversations with the teams, they emphasized the desire to focus on one race package, which will continue to improve the racing.”
The announced changes affect four races, as the series races twice at Pocono Raceway. Pocono races are scheduled for June 2 and July 28. The Darlington Raceway event is scheduled for Sept. 1, and the 2019 season will at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 17.
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