New Car Makes Restrictor Plate Debut At Talladega
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2007) -- The Car of Tomorrow program will take a major step forward this week when the new car debuts at Talladega Superspeedway. It will mark the first time the car will be raced on an oval track longer than 1.33 miles.
The car has competed in 13 events this season on short tracks and road courses. Two more events are scheduled after Talladega -- Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway. The car will be run full time in 2008.
Teams participated in a two-day test at Talladega in September in preparation for Sunday's race. One of the advantages of the new car is that teams can use the same car at a short track and superspeedway -- something that was not possible with the spoiler cars.
Although the car is the same that has been run in all other COT events, there are some slight modifications for Talladega.
The first is the use of a restrictor plate on the carburetor. This is the same process that was used in the spoiler cars at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega, but the plate size will be slightly larger. Teams will begin the weekend using a 31/32 inch restrictor plate -- the same size they tested with last month. The teams used a 7/8 (28/32) inch plate the last time they raced at Talladega in May.
"This car will allow us to open up the restriction a little bit on the engine," said NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. "They'll make a considerable amount of horsepower more than what they have raced at Talladega and Daytona in the past."
The increase in plate size is expected to add 75-80 horsepower, which will give the driver more throttle response and help make up for the additional drag the new car creates.
NASCAR also has mandated a minimum rear wing angle of 10 degrees for the event. NASCAR will supply the wings at the track, as it has done in all previous COT races. NASCAR also will issue the teams' end plates at the track, which has not been done before. This is to ensure a level competitive playing field at the superspeedway.
Other changes include a taller wicker on the rear wing (one inch compared with 3/16 inch in the past), which will help add drag to the car. And for the first time, there will be a mandated gear rule for the event.
"With the COT cars, it's going to change the element of how Talladega races and I think it will be twice as exciting," said Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge). "Whoever does the best at reacting to all the changes we'll face will probably have the best shot at winning. Like we've been saying all year long, we look to be up to the challenge."
Busch certainly knows what it takes to succeed at Talladega -- he has posted six top fives and 10 top 10s in 13 career starts at the track.
Chase Notebook: Chevrolet Has Dominant Talladega History
A trip to Talladega Superspeedway usually brightens the spirits of teams in the Chevrolet camp. Chevrolets have dominated competition at the track, winning 16 of the last 17 races.
"Much of Chevy's success on restrictor-plate tracks stems from the fact that all our teams have focused very heavily on their plate engine programs for many years," said Pat Suhy, GM Racing NASCAR group manager.
With the move to the new car this weekend, Suhy is not worried about Chevrolet losing its status atop the restrictor-plate competition.
"I think it'll be a matter of who can adapt the fastest to the way they have to race to make these cars drive to the front," Suhy said. "I'm confident between our great drivers and crew chiefs, and the teams they have behind them, that the Chevy guys will be leading the pack again this weekend at Talladega."
The Track: 2.66-mile oval
The Distance: 500 miles, 188 laps
The Purse: $5,384,639
2006 Winner: Brian Vickers
2006 Pole: David Gilliland
Series Standings
Pos. Driver Pts.
1 Johnson 5,506
2 Gordon 5,500
3 Bowyer 5,492
4 Stewart 5,389
5 Harvick 5,380
6 Kyle Busch 5,370
7 Edwards 5,364
8 Truex Jr. 5,348
9 Kurt Busch 5,329
10 J. Burton 5,320
11 Kenseth 5,287
12 Hamlin 5,258
Pre-Race On-Track Schedule (local/CT time): Friday—Practice, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2:45 -- 3:30 p.m.; Saturday—Qualifying, 11:15 a.m.
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