Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NASCAR won’t use new aero package again this year

Matt Kenseth drives to his pole winning run during qualifying for Saturday’s NASCAR All-Star auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Friday, May 18, 2018, in Concord, N.C. (Terry Renna / Associated Press)
Associated Press

NASCAR is shelving the aero package used in the All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the rest of the season.

The drafting package, which included aero ducts, a higher spoiler, restrictor plates and an older splitter in an attempt to promote passing and tight competition, will not be used again this year as the ruling body contemplates future changes. The current package will be used for the final 21 races of the season.

NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell tells NASCAR.com there’s been “a lot of detailed conversations” and they came to the conclusion “the best thing to do was to put some additional effort into some potential tweaks and focus on 2019.”

Teams balked at the package being used again this year because of the costs associated with switching back and forth because it wouldn’t work at every track, and drivers have been against it.

The All-Star race produced 38 green flag passes for the lead compared to zero the previous year, and fans seemed to like it.