NASCAR issues rules updates; makes technical changes as a result of Ryan Newman’s Daytona accident

As NASCAR prepares to return to racing, the sanctioning body issued a rules bulletin Thursday afternoon addressing a variety of issues, include some as a result of Ryan Newman’s accident in the Daytona 500.  Among the rules updates:

  • The temporary ban on most testing will be lifted on May 4, however on-track testing will not be allowed in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series or Gander Truck Series for the remainder of the 2020 season.
  • Organizations are allocated 150 hours in the wind tunnel through December 31, 2021 with a maximum usage of 70 hours in 2020 and 90 hours in 2021. Wind tunnel testing of Next Gen vehicles by individual organizations is not permitted.
  • All remaining parts submission meetings for 2020 have been cancelled.
  • Minimum number of short block sealed engines changes from 13 to eight.
NASCAR Rollbar changes
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Among the technical changes:

  • Addition of a lower main roll bar support bar #20 / intrusion plate and upper main roll bar support bar #21 (mandatory superspeedways, optional elsewhere).
  • Elimination of aero ducts at superspeedway tracks.
  • Reduction in size of throttle body from 59/64” to 57/64” (superspeedways only).
  • Updated roll bar padding specifications (mandatory at all tracks beginning June 1).
  • Oil reservoir tank or overflow expansion tank must contain a check valve (mandatory at all tracks beginning with Talladega).
  • Slip tape must be applied along the entire length of the lower rearward facing surfaces of the rear bumper cover and extension (superspeedways only).

John Probst, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Development said, “As teams prepare for the return to racing, we want to provide as much advance notice as possible for upcoming technical changes. Some of these updates stem from the investigation into the 6 car incident at Daytona, and all are intended to produce a safe and competitive race at all venues. We look forward to providing more details in the near future.”