NASCAR officials are seriously considering a plan that would replace the rear wing with a spoiler on Sprint Cup cars, spokesman Ramsey Poston said on Thursday. “We are currently meeting with drivers and owners to discuss a number of options,” Poston said. “Going back to the spoiler is one of them under serious consideration. We’ll make an announcement in the coming weeks.” Before the governing body makes a final decision, the spoiler and how it reacts with the new heavier car will be tested in the wind tunnel and on the track. If there are signs the spoiler will improve competition then the switch is likely to occur. Poston would not say when the change might occur, but it is unlikely it will happen in time for the February opener at Daytona International Speedway. The decision to look at the spoiler came after intense meetings, including one Thursday at NASCAR’s Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., with select drivers and owners. There has been universal concern since the car was introduced in 2007 that the lack of down force has been a hindrance to good racing. The previous car used a spoiler.(ESPN)
AND – Wing Gone? Denied: #19-Elliott Sadler told Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody Thursday that NASCAR is investigating new ways of keeping Spring Cup Series racers from taking flight during events at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Sadler was one of many drivers and team owners who attended a closed-door meeting with the sanctioning body at NASCAR’s Technical Center earlier Thursday, and said there are changes being discussed. “They’ve come up with some different ideas on the roof flaps and rear windows to help keep these cars on the ground,” said Sadler. However, he denied published reports that a discussion was held about doing away with the car’s rear wing in favor of old-style rear spoilers. “There was nothing said about losing the wing, but NASCAR is definitely interested in doing whatever they can to make this deal safer,” he said. “Brian France is going to sit across the table from every single driver and team owner to ask for their input. They read e-mails today that they’ve gotten from fans asking about different things, and it’s pretty clear that they’re listening to what people have to say. They’re obviously trying to create the best possible experience for teams and fans.”(Sirius Speedway)(1-8-2010)
