Race Weekend Central

NASCAR to Test Potential 2015 Rule Changes at Michigan

MRN’s Dustin Long is reporting that NASCAR has scheduled an open test at Michigan International Speedway for August 18th, the day after the Sprint Cup Series’ Pure Michigan 400. The goal will be to evaluate potential changes to the rules ahead of next season.

According to a statement from NASCAR, the test is just another step in the ongoing evolution of technical regulations.

“The test at Michigan International Speedway will be a great opportunity to gather more information, help us validate much of the great research done by engineers in our sport, and drive us one step closer to our 2015 race package,” Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR’s Vice President of Innovation and Racing Development, said in a statement to MRN.

Despite the test being scheduled, NASCAR appears to be fairly happy with the current package and what it has produced so far.  However, the series had previously indicated that changes under the hood were likely for 2015.

As of now, the Michigan test is the only test scheduled to test potential 2015 rules. What those rules will be are anyone’s guess. The likelihood is very high that there will be some kind of new engine rules tested that are designed to slow the cars. There may be more aerodynamic and/or mechanical changes to the cars as well. There also hasn’t been any kind of an entry list sent out to show which teams will be staying over after the race to participate.

In addition, how the Michigan test goes will ultimately determine whether a second test would be necessary. If it were deemed necessary, that test would likely be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, perhaps after the season ends.  Stay tuned, as this is still a developing story.  More information will come out over the next few weeks.

About the author

Phil Allaway has three primary roles at Frontstretch. He's the manager of the site's FREE e-mail newsletter that publishes Monday-Friday and occasionally on weekends. He keeps TV broadcasters honest with weekly editions of Couch Potato Tuesday and serves as the site's Sports Car racing editor.

Outside of Frontstretch, Phil is the press officer for Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y. He covers all the action on the high-banked dirt track from regular DIRTcar Modified racing to occasional visits from touring series such as the Super DIRTcar Series.

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