NASCAR cuts power, limits testing among changes to 2015 competition rules

NASCAR has delivered to teams the 2015 racing package for all three national series, which the sanctioning body says represents "more than a year of extensive collaboration with stakeholders throughout the industry." Key among the changes are a reduction in horsepower, a shorter rear spoiler and an optional driver adjustable track bar  among the nearly five dozen changes that encompass the 2015 rules package.

"This race package represents a lot of hard work by NASCAR, the race teams, the drivers, our manufacturer partners and Goodyear," said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR senior vice president of innovation and racing development. "We've remained committed to constantly looking at our racing, and the work that has been done has been aimed at getting a rules package delivered to the race teams as early as possible."

There could also be qualifying and racing in the rain at Sprint Cup Series events contested on road courses if weather is an issue, and NASCAR says the new qualifying format unveiled this year could see some minor tweaks going forward.

"Last year when we did the chassis change, we wanted to do the engine power optimization, but it was too much, too fast for the engine builders," Stefanyshyn told NASCAR.com. "So this year, even though we've got the power down, we're re-balancing the car."

The horsepower reduction, from 850 to 725, will be obtained in part through the use of tapered spacers, which are currently used in the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Flat valve lifters will be replaced with roller valve lifters; lower differential gear ratios (targeting 9,000 rpm) will be in use and the rear spoiler height will be reduced from 8 inches to 6 inches.

An adjustable driver track bar will be optional (the device was tested this summer at Michigan International Speedway); while the size of the radiator pan has been decreased from 43 inches to 38 inches.

Stefanyshyn said speeds will likely decrease by no more than 3-4 mph in most instances with the changes.

"You take the power out, but we're also taking drag off (by trimming the spoiler) to re-balance this whole thing," he said. "It's not going to be as dramatic as most people think. We're hoping ... it will make the racing better, closer. Our goals are always that, right? To provide better entertainment for our fans."

The move to eliminate testing, he said, was at the request of teams. Any team that is caught skirting the rule will face a P6 penalty, the most severe levered by the sanctioning body.

Teams will still test, but those tests will likely be run in conjunction with Goodyear tire tests and NASCAR.

"What we're trying to do is get Goodyear, NASCAR and team testing, which are separate now, and bring all three of us together," he said. "If we organize it well and do it in a smart way, say, 'Goodyear's got to do their stuff, let's help them; NASCAR and the teams, if we want to look at this low downforce world, let's work together; and then you teams, you've got your time.' That's the thinking but we have to figure all that out."

Along with previously announced changes for 2015 that include a move to automated pit road officiating, a new parts approval process and the implementation of an electronic rule book, the latest changes are intended to deliver drivers more flexibility and teams more adjustability. Fans are expected to benefit from closer racing and more opportunities for drivers to pass on the track.

"We have had fantastic racing so far in 2014," Stefanyshyn said. "We remain committed to constantly looking to improve it. Our fans deserve it and our industry is pushing for it. That will not stop with the 2015 package; the development will continue over many years to come."

"We're very pleased with the rules package and what it will do for our racing," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "We're confident it will continue to generate great racing, along with continuous safety improvements.

The work alongside our industry has been unprecedented. We've had great dialogue with our drivers and teams, our manufacturers and Goodyear, allowing us to build greater efficiencies into the 2015 rules package. We've met our goal of delivering rules to teams with time to prepare for next season and we're seeing the benefits of an updated process for developing our rules paying dividends. It will only continue to improve."