NASCAR crews take on changes

Round 2 of the Nextel Cup Series schedule at California Speedway this weekend will present what NASCAR star Rusty Wallace might characterize as the old “double-whammy.”

Start with the fact that all aerodynamic and engine rules pertaining to carburetor restrictor plate races – such as last Sunday’s Daytona 500 – are on the shelf until the series visits the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for the Aaron’s 499 weekend in late April.

First, Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at Fontana, Calif., will be the inaugural Cup race conducted under NASCAR’s new postqualifying impound procedure.

Second, this will be the first event featuring the shorter rear spoiler/softer tire compound aero package.

Cup cars practiced twice for a total of 2 hours, 20 minutes Friday afternoon. Today, all cars will be impounded immediately after the single qualifying session. Further, crews will not be permitted to work on their cars, unless for special circumstances and authorized by NASCAR officials.

Designed as a cost-cutting/labor-reducing measure, the new procedure also eliminates the traditional “Happy Hour” final practice.

Taken together, the package figures to present the most meticulously prepared teams with a minicrisis. Maybe two.

“This will be the first real test of the new system, new format and new scheduling,” said Kyle Petty, driver of the No. 45 Dodge Charger and CEO of Petty Enterprises. “I tend to think it will work pretty well, but we’ll have to see.

“Qualifying is still important. You still want to start as near the front as possible. Of course, with the new deal you still have to think primarily about the race. You can’t go out there in qualifying trim because you have to race the setup you qualify with.”

Meanwhile, rear-spoiler height will be 4 1/2 inches across the board for all non-plate races beginning with this event. The shorter spoiler is designed to reduce the dreaded aero-push, and improve passing and the quality of racing.