NASCAR CHANGES 2016
- Smaller restrictor plate at Daytona: For Speedweeks at
Daytona, there will be a minor reduction in the size of the
restrictor-plate holes, which will decrease by 1/64th of an inch to
57/64ths.(NBC Sports)(1-26-2016)
- Larger restart zone return in 2016: After doubling
the restart zone for many of the races in last season's Chase, the
expanded box will continue to be used this season, along with additional
cameras and a senior official monitoring restarts from the pits.(NBC Sports)(1-26-2016)
- NASCAR changes inspection schedules: NASCAR will
experiment with shorter garage hours but longer inspection periods this
season as it tries to give Sprint Cup teams relief on efficiency,
expenses and quality of life. Though the schedule will remain virtually
the same at Daytona International Speedway, Sprint Cup director Richard
Buck said there will be changes the rest of the season. The initial
inspection of a race weekend after the NASCAR garage opens is expected
to be shortened from five hours to three, and there will be more time
built into the inspection between the end of practice and start of
qualifying. Last year, prequalifying inspection often turned into a
major scramble as teams struggled to pass the laser inspection station.
NASCAR changed some procedures after 13 cars missed qualifying at
Atlanta Motor Speedway because of inspection problems. Buck said new
methods (mostly involving the use of Microsoft Surface tablets) will
make the inspection process more efficient with a goal of also allowing
teams to spend less time getting cars ready on Sunday race mornings.
Trying to reduce the 12-hour shifts that have become commonplace in the
garage is in response to teams that have asked for shorter days in hopes
of giving crew members more rest and perhaps saving money by arriving
later at the track.(NBC Sports)(1-26-2016)
