NASCAR rolls out aero updates to reduce chance of cars going airborne

NASCAR will supply new parts to Cup Series teams ahead of Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway to implement aerodynamic changes.

It is another effort by NASCAR to keep the cars from going airborne. The changes should increase the liftoff speed of the cars.

A rocker skirt will be added to the side of the cars, while fabric will be added to the inside of the right roof flap. The right-side roof rails will be extended two inches with polycarbonate.

Cars will carry a new rocker skirt as part of the update. Image via NASCAR

Extensions have been added to the right-side roof rails. Image via NASCAR

Josh Berry flipped over and slid on the roof of his Ford Mustang in August at Daytona International Speedway. The car hit the inside wall on the backstretch with the nose before flipping back over. In the same race, Michael McDowell went airborne, but did not flip, when he was turned in front of the pack.

Those incidents came a week after Corey LaJoie flipped at Michigan International Speedway (main image). LaJoie spun on the backstretch and his Chevrolet lifted on its own. The car flipped onto its roof and did not turn back over until sliding into the grass.

Talladega Superspeedway, a 2.66-mile oval with 33-degree banking, is the final superspeedway race of the season. It is the second race in the Round of 12 in the Cup Series playoffs.