COT adds another element of surprise to 'Dega, Chase

The Car of Tomorrow program will take a major step forward this week when the new car debuts at Talladega Superspeedway. It will mark the first time the car will be raced on an oval track longer than 1.33 miles.

The car has competed in 13 events this season on short tracks and road courses. Two more events are scheduled after Talladega -- Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway. The car will be run full time in 2008.

Teams participated in a two-day test at Talladega in September in preparation for Sunday's race. One of the advantages of the new car is that teams can use the same car at a short track and superspeedway -- something that was not possible with the spoiler cars.

"I don't think NASCAR's intention in creating the COT was Talladega, but the track is going to benefit from its use," said Jeff Gordon, who in April won the last race at Talladega in what will soon be the Car of Yesterday.

"The new body style allows us to run a bigger restrictor plate and, with the wing and the wicker, its only going to enhance the entertainment here. The COT is going to change everything here."

Although the car is the same that has been run in all other COT events, there are some slight modifications for Talladega.

The first is the use of a restrictor plate on the carburetor. This is the same process that was used in the spoiler cars at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega, but the plate size will be slightly larger. Teams will begin the weekend using a 31/32 inch restrictor plate -- the same size they tested with last month. The teams used a 7/8 (28/32) inch plate the last time they raced at Talladega in May.

"This car will allow us to open up the restriction a little bit on the engine," NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said. "They'll make a considerable amount of horsepower more than what they have raced at Talladega and Daytona in the past."

The increase in plate size is expected to add 75-80 horsepower, which will give the driver more throttle response and help make up for the additional drag the new car creates.

"I feel concerned and worried," said Jimmie Johnson, who leads the Chase by six points. "But that's no different than any other plate race. And with all the new things coming along, it's still going to be plate race and we still have the same issues to deal with. I think it's a little bit more difficult now. There are a lot of unknowns that we'll have to sort out. But it's still the feeling of a restrictor-plate race in my stomach."

NASCAR also has mandated a minimum rear wing angle of 10 degrees for the event. NASCAR will supply the wings at the track, as it has done in all previous COT races. NASCAR also will issue the teams' end plates at the track, which has not been done before. This is to ensure a level competitive playing field at the superspeedway.

"It's a bit different because we used to run a 55 degree spoiler angle at Daytona and Talladega which meant that it laid back a little more and so you could see a bit better through the guys' windshields in front of you," Kurt Busch said of the visibility factor while driving the new COT model.

"With the wing, there is still the obstruction just like there is with a rear-spoiler on the car, you just have to look a little bit stronger and you have to predict more moves from the other guys. It's going to be a bit different, so you have to react and make changes."

Other changes include a taller wicker on the rear wing (1 inch compared with 3/16 inch in the past), which will help add drag to the car. And for the first time, there will be a mandated gear rule for the event.

"With the COT cars, it's going to change the element of how Talladega races and I think it will be twice as exciting," Busch said. "Whoever does the best at reacting to all the changes we'll face will probably have the best shot at winning. Like we've been saying all year long, we look to be up to the challenge." (Continued)