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Rules Package For 2018 Set For Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
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After several seasons of reducing downforce and limiting horsepower, NASCAR’s 2018 rules package—delivered to teams Tuesday—is more about maintaining the positive momentum from years prior.
Chief among the handful of changes on the aerodynamic and technical front is the use of a common flat splitter and radiator/oil cooler for 2018.
The radiator/oil cooler move is something that is already in play at superspeedways. The common splitter, meanwhile, will be new for all venues.
New for superspeedways (Daytona and Talladega) next season will be the elimination of the current ride height rule, a move that should provide safety and perhaps competition benefits.
Tests conducted in the wind tunnel and on the track have verified what NASCAR officials were looking for prior to making the ride height move.
Part of the reason for a limited number of rule changes can be linked to an evolution in the inspection process that will roll out next season.
The camera-based system which scans the car will replace current grid, module and Laser Inspection Station portions of the inspection process. Engine, chassis and safety inspection stations will remain in place.
Engine rule changes for ’18 were announced earlier this year. They include the use of a sealed short-block engine for a minimum of 13 races; use of a long-block engine in the Clash and All-Star Race, the series’ two non-points events; and a single-engine rule for all races.
On the safety front, Stefanyshyn said incident data recorders will be powered by batteries from the vehicles, a move that will allow the IDRs to continuously record instead of recording only upon being triggered by an impact.
The mandatory rollout of the enhanced vehicle chassis (EVC) originally slated for 2018 has been pushed to 2019. All new chassis are still required to certify with EVC beginning Nov. 20, 2017.
Chief among the handful of changes on the aerodynamic and technical front is the use of a common flat splitter and radiator/oil cooler for 2018.
The radiator/oil cooler move is something that is already in play at superspeedways. The common splitter, meanwhile, will be new for all venues.
New for superspeedways (Daytona and Talladega) next season will be the elimination of the current ride height rule, a move that should provide safety and perhaps competition benefits.
Tests conducted in the wind tunnel and on the track have verified what NASCAR officials were looking for prior to making the ride height move.
Part of the reason for a limited number of rule changes can be linked to an evolution in the inspection process that will roll out next season.
The camera-based system which scans the car will replace current grid, module and Laser Inspection Station portions of the inspection process. Engine, chassis and safety inspection stations will remain in place.
Engine rule changes for ’18 were announced earlier this year. They include the use of a sealed short-block engine for a minimum of 13 races; use of a long-block engine in the Clash and All-Star Race, the series’ two non-points events; and a single-engine rule for all races.
On the safety front, Stefanyshyn said incident data recorders will be powered by batteries from the vehicles, a move that will allow the IDRs to continuously record instead of recording only upon being triggered by an impact.
The mandatory rollout of the enhanced vehicle chassis (EVC) originally slated for 2018 has been pushed to 2019. All new chassis are still required to certify with EVC beginning Nov. 20, 2017.
