AERO PACKAGES: Driver Reactions

UNB! Network Staff Report

Boy, NASCAR sure has been trying out new aero packages this year for sure.

Two weeks ago at Kentucky Speedway, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series used a new aero package which lowered the spoiler and had modifications to the splitter.

Of what we saw and heard, people loved the new aero package.

There was much more passing, and the race was much more exciting.

But, the Sprint Cup Seriss will also be using a high-drag aero package for this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speesway, Michigan, and possibly an aero package for Richmond as well.

Now, recently announced, the NASCAR XFINITY Series will be using a high-drag package for this weekend at Indianapolis as well.

In today's USA TODAY, drivers spoke to the news company/newspaper. Their comments created an article under the name 'Drivers Pause At Brickyard Package,' featuring Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, and Penske Racing team owner Roger Penske.

"My opinion, without turning a lap, is that I don't think we're going to get the passing that NASCAR is hopeful for at Indy," the six-time Sprint Cup Series champion [Johnson] said to USA TODAY. "I don't see the field being any closer together, from what I'm told."

"It could turn out to be spectacular," Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards said to USA TODAY, "but I don't think you know until you see it."

We think that NASCAR is trying to enliven the racing action with these packages by making aerodynamic adjustments to cars/trucks to change the racing style on the circuit.

Joey Gucciardo, UNB! Network and creator, had these comments: "I feel that the purpose of the packages that NASCAR are trying out are to try and make racing more interesting and lively. Not that it isn't already interesting and lively already, because it is. But I feel that the drivers don't feel as if NASCAR is going to get what it wants as a whole wants out of the packages. You saw Kentucky, all the passing and exciting racing. Drivers and teams kept saying that they loved that package. I'm not saying that drivers don't like the packages, but I just feel that the drivers don't think that NASCAR will get what it wants."

"Maybe it was his [Brian France] terminology," Roger Penske told USA TODAY Sports about Brian France, CEO of NASCAR. "He [France] wants to see guys be able to pass and not one guy get out front and lead it all. I guess that's what he wants. And I guess if you're in the back, you want to be able to pass. So there's some pluses to it. I'm sure  there are some minuses."