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NASCAR alters restrictor-plates; Talladega speeds a "safety issue"

To reduce speeds, NASCAR has made a change to the aerodynamic rules package for this weekend’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Jamie McMurray, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet Camaro DC Solar

Jamie McMurray, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet Camaro DC Solar

Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images

Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Lowe's for Pros
David Ragan, Front Row Motorsports, Ford Fusion Bad Boy Mowers
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro NAPA Auto Parts
Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Monster Energy / Haas Automation
Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry M&M's Flavor Vote
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry FedEx Express
Ryan Newman, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Caterpillar

Late Friday afternoon, NASCAR spokesman Tom Bryant said following a meeting between NASCAR and the Cup teams, the restrictor-plate size on the Cup engines will be reduced from 7/8ths of an inch to 55/64ths of an inch.

The change – could slow the cars by about 12 to 15 horsepower – will be in effect for both Saturday’s qualifying sessions and Sunday’s GEICO 500.

“This is absolutely a safety issue,” Bryant said. “When we see cars leaving the racing surface, we’re going to react.”

Jamie McMurray set the fastest average lap speed during Friday’s final Cup practice session but shortly after turning the lap at 203.079 mph, he cut a left-rear tire on his No. 1 Chevrolet.

McMurray turned sideways and was hit broadside by Ryan Newman, which lifted McMurray’s car up and over Newman’s No. 31. McMurray then barrel-rolled several times, hit the infield catchfence before coming to rest on all four tires.

“Like as it started rolling the impacts weren’t that bad (but) I’m like I just want it to stop rolling at this point,” McMurray said. “And I was just thankful no one else hit me you know while you are upside down or when you come to a stop.”

Drivers Ty Dillon and Daniel Suarez also got collected in the incident.

Less than an hour before NASCAR’s decision, driver Brad Keselowski predicted in his news conference that NASCAR would alter the aero rules as a result of the incident.

“I expect some fairly significant changes,” he said.

 

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