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Speedweeks kicks off today in advance of next Sunday's Daytona 500 (2/17, 2:30PM EST FOX). The Clash is this Sunday, 3pm, and the duels are 7pm next Thursday, 2/14. Note also the Arca race will run this Saturday at 4pm on FS1.
What else for 2019:
- New rules package: Note that the Daytona 500 will run under the old package, but after that we will go to tapered spacers (including at Daytona and Talladega where they won't run plates anymore), bigger spoiler, bigger splitter, wider radiator pan, and "aero/brake ducts". It's all similar to the 2018 All-Star package and designed to reduce horsepower but improve stability and throttle response . . . with the hope of reducing the aero advantage that the leader has had at the intermediate and speedway tracks under the old package. https://m.nascar.com/news-media/2018/10/02/2019-rules-packages-announced-monster-energy-series/
- New post-race inspection procedure: Post-race inspection will happen immediately following the race and will include first and second place, and other randomly selected cars. If you fail post-race you are disqualified and scored as last in the race and stages. So if the winner fails, the second place is declared the winner for all intents and purposes . . . any stage points for DQ'd cars will go to the next car on the pylon. This will mean that the race winner will be confirmed by weekend's end, rather than having to wait on inspection and penalty procedures under the old rules (often not announced until Tuesday or Wednesday).
- Notable team/driver changes:
Martin Truex and Cole Pearn move over to JGR proper at the 19
Kurt Busch to the 1 at CGR; Jamie Mac running the Daytona 500 (in the 40) and then retiring to the Fox broadcast roster
Daniel Suarez moves over to the 41 at SHR
Ryan Newman runs the 6 full-time at Rousch
Daniel Hemric (rookie) will be in the 8 at Childress
Matt DiBenedetto will be in the 95
Kasey Kahne and AJ Allmendinger are not racing
Chad Knaus and Jimmie aren't together, Chad to the 24 (Byron) and Kevin Meendering comes over from the Xfinity 1 car (E. Sadler) to lead the 48 crew
Schedule:
What else for 2019:
- New rules package: Note that the Daytona 500 will run under the old package, but after that we will go to tapered spacers (including at Daytona and Talladega where they won't run plates anymore), bigger spoiler, bigger splitter, wider radiator pan, and "aero/brake ducts". It's all similar to the 2018 All-Star package and designed to reduce horsepower but improve stability and throttle response . . . with the hope of reducing the aero advantage that the leader has had at the intermediate and speedway tracks under the old package. https://m.nascar.com/news-media/2018/10/02/2019-rules-packages-announced-monster-energy-series/
- New post-race inspection procedure: Post-race inspection will happen immediately following the race and will include first and second place, and other randomly selected cars. If you fail post-race you are disqualified and scored as last in the race and stages. So if the winner fails, the second place is declared the winner for all intents and purposes . . . any stage points for DQ'd cars will go to the next car on the pylon. This will mean that the race winner will be confirmed by weekend's end, rather than having to wait on inspection and penalty procedures under the old rules (often not announced until Tuesday or Wednesday).
- Notable team/driver changes:
Martin Truex and Cole Pearn move over to JGR proper at the 19
Kurt Busch to the 1 at CGR; Jamie Mac running the Daytona 500 (in the 40) and then retiring to the Fox broadcast roster
Daniel Suarez moves over to the 41 at SHR
Ryan Newman runs the 6 full-time at Rousch
Daniel Hemric (rookie) will be in the 8 at Childress
Matt DiBenedetto will be in the 95
Kasey Kahne and AJ Allmendinger are not racing
Chad Knaus and Jimmie aren't together, Chad to the 24 (Byron) and Kevin Meendering comes over from the Xfinity 1 car (E. Sadler) to lead the 48 crew
Schedule: