New NASCAR Aero Package Gets Poor Reviews

So far, not too many drivers are happy with NASCAR’s new aerodynamic rules.

Beginning with last Sunday’s race at California Speedway, the Nextel Cup cars had a new aero package in place that included a shortened rear spoiler and softer tires. The new spoilers and tires will be used everywhere except Daytona and Talladega, the only tracks where NASCAR slows the cars with horsepower-sapping carburetor restrictor plates.

NASCAR’s intention in sawing off an inch on the rear spoilers -- down to 4 1/2 inches -- and asking Goodyear to provide tires that wear quickly is to create less of a dependence on downforce while placing more of an emphasis on a driver’s ability to race his car, especially through the turns.

John Darby, NASCAR’s Nextel Cup director, said one race is too soon to tell if the changes will work. A lot of drivers were certain they won’t. The most vocal critic of the new rules was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had a miserable day in the Auto Club 500, fighting handling all day and spending considerable time in the pits after having three flat tires.

“Taking the spoiler off is going to make it more difficult to drive. The softer tires give us more grip, so it [goes fast] and then it falls off,” Junior said.