Keselowski Discusses Michigan Rules Package

UNB! NETWORK STAFF REPORT

This past Tuesday, Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Penske Racing Ford, went on NASCAR's weekly teleconference to discuss the new Michigan rules package.

Below is the Q&A that Keselowski was involved in during the teleconference.

WHAT KIND OF PRECAUTIONS HAVE YOU TAKEN AS FAR AS THE HEAT FACTOR INSIDE THE CAR?

• Keselowski: "I think the heat is gonna be even worse this weekend. There's a large amount of concern across both the teams and drivers, really all members, for this rules package coming up to Michigan specific to the fact that even though the track is wider and bigger, the significance of the draft is gonna be even more important, so you're gonna have to stay in line as much as possible. As you stay in line the car gets less and less air because that's essentially how the draft works and the speeds at Michigan are higher than they are at Indianapolis, which means the parts, specifically the drivetrain are gonna be even hotter. I know the team is very, very concerned about the drivetrain, everything from the engine all the way back to the axles because they're really not made for these temperatures. I would not be surprised to see a lot of car failures this weekend, specific to heat relation as it pertains to the aero package and its kind of cause and effects. And inside the car I would not be surprised to see a lot of hot and worn out drivers after the race.
  
  AT INDY IT SEEMED LIKE CARS GOT LOOSE WHEN THEY STARTED TO PICK UP THE DRAFT BEHIND SOMEBODY. WOULD MICHIGAN BE ANY DIFFERENT?
  Keselowski: " I don't expect it to be much different as far as the way the cars handle behind each other. Perhaps the only difference could be between the two tracks is Michigan has a much wider groove in theory and the potential to run different lanes in the corners. The way the aerodynamics work specific to this high draft package certainly you want to be in line down the straightaway to get the maximum effect of the loss of drag, but you kind of want to be staggered in the corners to try to keep your downforce in the corner when you need it to keep the car going through the corners as fast as possible."
  
  AFTER THIS RACE IF THIS PACKAGE LOOKS OR HANDLES THE SAME AT INDY WILL IT BE ENOUGH OF A SAMPLE FOR DRIVERS TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT ON WHETHER OR NOT IT WORKED?
  Keselowski: "Oh yeah. I think clearly if you have two races on this package, that was really made for Michigan and Indianapolis, we should have a very strong indication as to the success factors for this package. I would say after these two races we'll know exactly where we stand."