Expect aerodynamic rules changes to be announced by NASCAR for Talladega (Oct 15th) sometime this weekend(RPM 2Night)(9-9-2000) UPDATE: the rules were never announced, not sure when we will hear anything(9-12-2000) UPDATE 2: NASCAR Senior Vice President Mike Helton said a rule change for the Talladega race will be announced this week. Officials have considered a variety of changes to the cars after an aerodynamics test at Daytona this summer. Winston Cup Director Gary Nelson said a spoiler change is one of the options being considered(Times-Dispatch) AND NASCAR still hasn’t announced its Talladega rules, but the new rules are now expected to include a break for Chevrolets, which will be allowed to run a 57-inch-wide rear spoiler while Ford and Pontiac teams will have to run a larger 59-inch spoiler(PitNow) AND a column at That’s Racin’: Rule changes expected for Talladega AND the print version of the Speedway Scene reports that the spoilers will be 53 inches for the Chevy and 55 inches for the Ford and Pontiac. Also says there may be a raised air dam(bottom front of the car), a roof spoiler(have to say, these look weird) and the rear spoiler supposedly have a higher angle of 65-70 degrees as compared to the normal setting of 45 at Talladega/Daytona and be a 2-inch taller rear spoiler. The restrictor plate would be increased from 7/8-inches to 1-inch(9-17-2000) UPDATE 3: NASCAR announced a series of rule changes for the Oct. 15 running of the Winston 500 at Talladega, they are: Rear Spolier: will change from 57 to 59 inches on Fords and Pontiacs, while the Chevy stays at 57 inches and all manufacturers will be required to all have rear spoiler angles of between 70 and 71 degrees, an increase from the mandated 45 degrees Resrtictor Plate: an increase from the 7/8-inch plates used in the previous restrictor-plate races this year at Talladega and Daytona to a 1-inch carburetor restrictor plates Flange(wickerbill): all three manufacturers will have to use 1-inch-deep forward-facing flanges on top of their rear spoilers Front Air Dams: increased to a 4-inch minimum ground clearance, from 3 1/2 inches Roof Deflectors: use 1 3/8-inch-tall and 40-inch-wide air deflectors located 10 inches behind the windshields on the car roofs(That’s Racin’)(9-19-2000) UPDATE 4: NASCAR is also opening the Talladega race weekend a day early and allowing teams all day Thursday, Oct. 12, to practice in preparation for the race(That’s Racin’) AND Driver Johnny Benson tested at the track Tuesday with the changes in place and turned a fast lap that would have qualified him in the first round at last springs event. After that session, Benson and crew chief James Ince both said they dont believe the changes will alter the quality of the race noticeably(Anniston Star)(9-20-2000)
