Tech talk: Low downforce package makes Darlington debut

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Nascar

Perhaps somewhat overshadowed by all the talk about Darlington Raceway‘s “throwback” platform this weekend is the return of NASCAR’s low downforce package, incorporating aerodynamic changes first unveiled at Kentucky Speedway earlier this year.

Three significant changes have been incorporated into the Sprint Cup Series package for Sunday’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 (7 p.m. ET, NBC/Live Extra, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR) that differs from the package used in the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky in July.

The Darlington spoiler will be 3-1/2 inches (instead of 3 inches) and the splitter will feature a 1/4-inch leading edge.

Also, the tires to be used at Darlington were built specifically for this particular low downforce package. The build was determined after a one-day test in July with drivers Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing), Brad Keselowski (Team Penske) and Tony Stewart (Stewart-Haas Racing).

There is no change in the size of the splitter extension panel, which was set at 25 inches for the Kentucky event.

Driver feedback, for the most part, was positive following Kentucky. But Jason Ratcliff, crew chief for Kenseth, noted that differences in the two tracks and other considerations would have an impact this weekend at Darlington.

“It’s going to be a lot different … because we haven’t run at Darlington at this time of year in a while,” he said. “… Darlington is unique anyway — you run right around the fence, which makes it difficult to pass, but I thought the aero package was good and we were able to work on the car and find some speed and nothing negative with it.”

Fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver Carl Edwards said he’s looking forward to putting the low downforce package back on the track.

“The way we’ve been running lately and the way this package drove at Kentucky, I mean to me Darlington is going to be like Christmas in September. I’m pumped,” he said.

So About Those Tires

The tire combination selected by Goodyear will feature the same left-side tire code used at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this year with a right-side tire code that was run at Kentucky.

“We had a very minimal change in grip at Kentucky from what we raced there in 2014,” Greg Stucker, Director of Race Tire Sales for Goodyear, told SiriusXM NASCAR on Wednesday. “Just a little bit more grip on the left-side tire, and the results of that particular event I think were very, very positive.

“I think the low-downforce package showed a lot of potential. I think a lot of people walked out of there thinking that was a really nice package. It certainly reduced grip, put a lot of control back into the drivers’ hands. Did a lot of things that I think people were looking for.”

Stucker said a “considerable amount of grip” has been added to the Darlington tires, with hopefully will offset some of the aerodynamic grip lost with the aero changes on the cars.

“The reduction in downforce going from the standard 2015 (package) to the low-downforce package increased lap times by about three-quarters of a second, 7/10ths to 8/10ths, something like that,” he said. “That much slower. When we put the grippier setup on, it gave us about that same 7/10ths to 8/10ths back.”

A December test at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2014 actually provided some of the initial data for the low downforce tire build.

“We went back there again in March of this year to confirm that tire package for a low-downforce setup that at the time was thought to be run in the (Sprint) All-Star Race,” Stucker said. “So we had a lot of work done in a similar configuration. Historically Darlington and Charlotte are similar. We run the same right-side tire there, slightly different left. But it gave us a real good starting point for where to go back to Darlington so we did that.”

Riding a Blue Streak

The teams and track officials aren’t the only ones on board with this year’s “throwback” theme for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Even Goodyear is going retro, returning to a logo design used in the 1970s.

At that time, the logos and markings on each tire were hand-painted — that won’t be the case this weekend — “but they’ll definitely have the looks of what we ran back in the ’70s,” Stucker said.

“We had not yet gone to Eagle on our race tires. They were still called Blue Streak Specials.”

The yellow Goodyear lettering seen on today’s Goodyear Eagle tires came into use in 1992.

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Nascar

(Photo courtesy of: Hendrick Motorsports)

Hendrick Motorsports and driver Kasey Kahne will pay tribute to the organization’s inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season this weekend with a special throwback paint scheme similar to the one run by former driver Geoff Bodine.

The majority of Sprint Cup Series teams will feature retro paint schemes on their cars this weekend as part of the return of the annual Bojangles’ Southern 500 to Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway.

Known at the time as All-Star Racing, team owner Rick Hendrick fielded the No. 5 Chevrolet for Bodine with veteran crew chief Harry Hyde calling the shots during the 1984 season.

If not for a victory by Bodine, his first in the series, at Martinsville Speedway, the successful Hendrick Motorsports organization of today might never have existed.

“We finished 35th in our first Darlington race back in ’84 and nearly closed the doors,” team owner Rick Hendrick said. “Martinsville was next on the schedule, and Harry Hyde did a great sales job and talked me into running one more race.

“He was convinced Geoff could win (at Martinsville) and, thankfully, he was right. We were able to get a sponsor (Northwestern Security Life), which allowed us to finish the season and set the table for everything that’s happened since.”

Today, HMS is a four-team Sprint Cup organization fielding entries for Kahne, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. HMS drivers have won 11 Sprint Cup titles (Johnson 6, Gordon 4, Terry Labonte 1) and 237 races.

“There’s so much history at Hendrick Motorsports with the wins and championships, so to go back to when it started with All-Star Racing, Geoff Bodine and that paint scheme is great,” Kahne, who will run the retro look at Darlington as well as Richmond International Raceway, said.

“It would mean a lot to win the Southern 500. It’s always been one of the races that I’ve wanted to win … To do it in this car that time of the year right before the Chase, it would be a perfect time.”

As part of a two-race partnership between Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick Automotive Group, fans can register to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Charlotte, N.C. for a ride-along with Kahne as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of HMS. Click here for more information.

“We’ve had a lot of success when our two companies have worked together on programs,” Hendrick said “When Darlington announced the throwback concept, we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring back the All-Star Racing car and build a sweepstakes for fans and customers.

“Seeing the paint scheme on the track at Darlington and Richmond will bring back a lot of memories.”

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Holly Cain

In keeping with NASCAR’s throwback-themed Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, here’s a nod to Kevin Harvick and his No. 4 Budweiser Chevy team’s historic run this season.

You have to go back to the days of lava lamps, bell-bottoms and the AMC Gremlin to find the last time a NASCAR Cup driver (Bobby Allison, 1972) has reeled off double-digit runner-up finishes as Harvick now has.

The reigning Sprint Cup Series champ’s two wins — back-to-back trophies at Las Vegas and Phoenix — punched his title defense ticket into the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. But it’s his 10 second-place efforts and career-high 17 top-fives that keep him a favorite for his second Cup championship.

It’s the kind of superior consistency that creates confidence, maintains momentum and ultimately makes the team more likely to deliver in the clutch. There’s two ways this many near-misses can be viewed — either as encouraging “almosts” or discouraging “not-enoughs” — but Harvick and his crew chief Rodney Childers are glass-half-full kind of guys.

“It’s a really fine balance and getting yourself frustrated over the success we’re having would be really, really silly,” Harvick offered with a smile as he waited out a rain delay during a test at Homestead-Miami Speedway last week.

“I’m proud of what we’ve done and what we’ve accomplished.

“We’re all really confident with the way the year has gone. I think if you look at on a piece of paper it’s definitely the best year I’ve ever had from a career standpoint.

“I’ve been around this deal long enough to know those 10 second-place finishes could have swung to wins just as easily and they could have swung to 25th-place finishes just as easily. I’m really proud of the things we’ve done and feel like we’re a better team than we were last year and having better results up to this point.”

The second-place finishes have contributed to a series-best 7.5 average finish through the first 24 races — better than three-time winner Joey Logano (9.0 average finish) and four-time winners Jimmie Johnson (12.0) and Kyle Busch (12.5). So while Harvick may not have been visiting Victory Lane as often as those others, no one’s been in close proximity more often — heartening news for his Stewart-Haas Racing team and worrisome for everyone else.

“The whole point of coming here (to SHR) was to have a chance of winning races week in and week out and we’ve done that; you can’t force winning, when things are going your way they are and when they aren’t, they’re not,” Harvick said.

“It’s a lot of fun to be a part of it and see the intensity and enthusiasm this team brings week in and week out because it’s such a calm confidence around here.

“The way we’ve run I think we could win the championship with everything we’ve done so far. I don’t think we need to do anything any different because the cars are running great and we know what we’re up against when the Chase starts and the grind of what that is. And I think we’ll do that better than we did last year.

“The best for us is in front of us.”

Runner-up finishes in a season

Number	Driver	Year
18	David Pearson	1969
15	Bobby Allison	1970
14	Richard Petty	1964
13	Ned Jarrett	1965
12	Bobby Allison	1972
12	David Pearson	1968
12	Joe Weatherly	1962
12	Dick Rathmann	1953
10	Kevin Harvick	2015
10	Buck Baker	1958

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Staff Report

With the low downforce package being used this weekend for the second time in 2015, get caught up on both of NASCAR’s new rules initiatives of 2015.

Low downforce package

In use: Kentucky Speedway (Kyle Busch victory); Darlington Raceway (Sunday)
Changes: Reduction in spoiler height (from 6 inches to 3.5 inches); splitter extension panel (radiator pan) decreased from 38 inches to 25 inches; splitter has 1¾ inches less overhang; and Goodyear has prepared a package-specific tire for Darlington.
Intent: Less downforce on an intermediate tracks such as Kentucky, which would lead to more side-by-side racing; increase off-throttle time in the turns, leading to more potential passing; lessen leader’s aero advantage.
Key quote: “Sold. Keep doing it. Ship it.” — Carl Edwards
More: Drivers sold on low downforce
• O’Donnell lauds hard work to get package ready
• Who benefited most at Kentucky?

High drag package

In use: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Kyle Busch victory); Michigan International Speedway (Matt Kenseth victory)
Changes: Increase in spoiler height (from 6 inches to 9 inches) and addition of 1-inch wicker bill; a rear fascia extension panel similar to that currently used for superspeedway events; a 2-inch leading edge on the splitter; and a 43-inch splitter extension panel.
Intent: High drag on big, wide tracks at 2.5-mile Indianapolis and 2-mile Michigan should lead to more pack racing and drafting; aero impact lessened on trailing car, promoting more passing and side-by-side racing throughout the field; speeds were initially projected to slow by 10 mph.
Key quote: “Everybody agrees that close, competitive racing, being able to pass — that’s important for us to continue to deliver on.” — NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton
More: Drivers react after Kenseth victory
• Tweak set for Michigan
• Cars get hotter, drivers affected
• Helton addresses high drag package, concerns

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Staff Report

RELATED: Updated standings | Chase grid

Only two races remain before the 16-driver Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field is set. Here are the scenarios for clinching a Chase berth at Darlington Raceway:

Below is the complete list of drivers currently in the Chase Grid.

Drivers with wins who have clinched a spot in the Chase as long as they attempt to qualify for the remaining two races:

1. Jimmie Johnson

3. Joey Logano

4. Matt Kenseth

5. Kevin Harvick

6. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

7. Kurt Busch

8. Brad Keselowski

9. Martin Truex Jr.

10. Denny Hamlin

11. Carl Edwards

Note: Kyle Busch is currently second in the Chase Grid, but has not clinched a spot in the top 30 of the points standings.

Drivers currently in the top 16:

12. Jamie McMurray

13. Ryan Newman

14. Paul Menard

15. Jeff Gordon

16. Clint Bowyer

At Darlington, a winless driver can clinch a spot in the Chase. If a repeat driver wins at Darlington, a winless driver would need to have a 45 point lead on the fifth-highest of the winless drivers (or 44 points, depending on tie-breakers).

If there is a new winner, a winless driver would need to lead the fourth-highest winless driver by 45 points (or, again, 44, depending on tie-breakers)

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Staff Report

The unique, oblong layout of Darlington (S.C.) Raceway was made by design in 1949, a year before it welcomed NASCAR’s big leagues for its first 500-mile race. How it happened is no small fish tale, in a manner of speaking.

When Harold Brasington purchased 70 acres of land from farm owner Sherman Ramsey for the site of NASCAR’s first superspeedway, there was one condition — Ramsey requested that the minnow pond on his property not be disturbed. The result was a set of turns on one end of the track that was tighter than the opposite end, which gives the track its distinctive egg shape.

The abstract layout continues to challenge NASCAR drivers and crew chiefs alike, some 60-plus years after its debut. Among the track’s many traditions is the “Darlington Stripe,” a black tire mark created from cars’ frequent brushes along the outside retaining wall.

Kyle Petty — who had a history of futility on the 1.366-mile track, with zero top-five finishes in 51 Cup starts at Darlington — famously quipped in an ESPN interview after a crash that the track would be better served to be filled with water for bass fishing. Had that unlikely conversion ever happened, Petty would have had a ready source for bait in Ramsey’s pond.

MORE: Which Kyle is driving the No. 42 — Petty or Larson?

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Staff Report

May 6: Harvick unveils paint scheme, talks schedule adjustment

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader Kevin Harvick was the first of many drivers to unveil his Darlington throwback paint scheme. His No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet will feature a nostalgic Budweiser look. | Read the full story

May 27: SHR reveals Stewart’s throwback Darlington Look

Tony Stewart was the second SHR driver to reveal his car’s paint scheme for the throwback weekend at Darlington. The No. 14 Chevrolet will have a retro look to it for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. | Read the full story

June 9: SHR unveils Busch’s Darlington paint scheme

SHR continued to unveil its drivers’ throwback looks, this time with Kurt Busch‘s car being on display. His No. 41 Chevrolet will pay tribute to past Haas-Automation schemes run at “The Lady in Black.” | Read the full story

July 8: RCR reveals Newman’s Darlington throwback look

See Ryan Newman‘s paint scheme set for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Newman’s No. 31 Chevrolet honors Caterpillar’s history. | Read the full story

July 21: Danica’s Darlington paint scheme revealed

NASCAR’s leading lady, Danica Patrick, will appropriately honor the track nicknamed “The Lady in Black” with black livery for her No. 10 Chevrolet. | Read the full story

Aug 4: Wood Bros. reveals Blaney’s Darlington throwback scheme

The No. 21 Ford of Ryan Blaney has quite a historic throwback look as it includes more than 2,000 photos of the Wood Brothers team’s history, dating back 60 years. | Read the full story

Aug 15: Jimmie Johnson‘s Darlington scheme revealed

Jimmie’s No. 48 Chevrolet is one of the many cars set to rock a vintage look for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. The three-time Darlington winner will have a Lowe’s Home Improvement logo on his car that was used throughout the 1940s and ’50s. | See Jimmie’s paint preview

Aug 18: Stenhouse Jr. reveals Darlington throwback look

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 17 Ford is getting a new (or rather old) paint scheme. The look will honor David Pearson, 105-time winner in NASCAR’s premier series and Darlington’s all-time winner with a total of 10 wins. | See Stenhouse Jr.’s paint scheme

Aug 18: Ragan’s Darlington look to honor his father

David Ragan is taking the opportunity to honor his father, Ken Ragan, during the Bojangles’ Southern 500. His No. 55 MWR Toyota will feature a paint scheme that his father often featured on his cars. | Read the full story

Aug 18: Gallery: Darlington’s throwback paint schemes

With drivers fully embracing the throwback theme that Darlington has to offer, NASCAR.com made it easy and put all the paint schemes in one place. | See the full gallery

Aug 24: Bowyer’s Darlington throwback look unveiled

Clint Bowyer is one of many to be rocking an old-school look to his car. The No. 15 Toyota will sport a dedication to two NASCAR greats — Bud Moore and the late Buddy Baker. | Read the full story

Aug 25: BK Racing unveils Jeb Burton throwback, driver swap

In this driver swap, Burton will be taking over the No. 23 of J.J. Yeley, who will be driving Burton’s No. 26 Toyota. The No. 23 will honor Jeb’s father, Ward Burton. | Read the full story

Aug 27: Two JGR teams to serve practice penalties at Darlington

Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth will serve penalties for the practice rounds at Darlington due to failed pre-qualifying and pre-race inspections at Bristol. | Read the full story

Aug 27: Aric Almirola‘s throwback paint scheme for Darlington revealed

Aric Almirola‘s No. 43 Ford is the latest to get a vintage makeover before the throwback weekend begins. The No. 43 will be sporting a Richard Petty-inspired look. | Read the full story

Aug 27: Terry Labonte to be Southern 500 grand marshal

Two-time Sprint Cup champion Terry Labonte will serve as grand marshal for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Labonte won at Darlington when the race was last held during Labor Day weekend. | Read the full story

Aug 27: Darlington Paint Scheme: Brad Keselowski

Take a look at the paint scheme Brad Keselowski‘s No. 2 Team Penske Ford will be sporting, paying homage to the Darlington throwback weekend. | Watch the video

Aug 27: Darlington Paint Scheme: Denny Hamlin

Glimpse Denny Hamlin‘s retro scheme that is paying tribute to NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough. | Watch the video

Aug 27: Darlington Paint Scheme: Chase Elliott

Check out the original paint scheme that Chase Elliott will be honoring at Darlington Raceway. | Watch the video

Aug 27: Darlington Paint Scheme: Austin Dillon

Keeping it in the family, Austin Dillon will be honoring his grandfather and will be using a paint scheme patterned after Richard Childress’s No. 3. | Watch the video

Aug 30: Complete schedule for Darlington

Don’t miss any of the exciting action. Check out the complete schedule to find out when on-track action begins. | Read more

Aug 31: Drivers, officials, fans pumped for Darlington throwback weekend

Everyone is geared up and ready for the throwback weekend at Darlington for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. | Read more

Sept. 1: Not a typical throwback

NASCAR.com’s Kenny Bruce explains why Darlington is different, with help from legends like Cale Yarborough. | Read more

Sept. 2: Kahne’s look revealed

The scheme for Kasey Kahne‘s No. 5 gives a nod to Geoff Bodine and Hendrick Motorsports‘ beginnings. | Read more

Sept. 2: How Darlington’s distinctive design was made

Darlington Raceway was designed back in 1949, preparing for the first 500-mile NASCAR race to be held at “The Lady in Black” in 1950. | Read more

Sept. 2: Behind-the-scenes at the Mello Yello shoot

Kyle Larson and Kyle Petty team up for the Mello Yello shoot where Larson gets a pretty interesting makeover. Do you like his new look? | See more

Sept. 2: 1970 Southern 500 Promo

The throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway is bringing back a lot of retro looks with the abundance of paint schemes. Take a look into our archive and see what the 1970 Southern 500 race was all about. | Watch the video

Sept. 2: Chase-clinching scenarios at Darlington

With two races away before the Chase, drivers who have yet to clinch a spot are in panic mode. See how drivers need to perform at Darlington if they want to be on the Chase Grid. | Read more

Sept. 3: What if Darlington race included throwback drivers?

Darlington is all about the throwback theme, with most of the drivers sporting a retro paint scheme for the weekend. But what if the race included throwback drivers? See who some of the NASCAR community would pick. | Read more

Sept. 3: @nascarcasm presents: Rejected Darlington throwback ideas

@nascarcasm drafts up some rejected ideas for throwback weekend at Darlington. | Read more

Sept. 3: Darlington most talked about race since Daytona 500

The Bojangles’ Southern 500 is all the NASCAR community can talk about, and for good reason with drivers honoring throwback paint schemes from some NASCAR legends. | Read more

Sept. 3: Driver reports: Previewing Darlington

See how all the drivers currently on the Chase Grid fare at “The Lady in Black.” Will they maintain their spot or will they go? | See more

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Zack Albert

Biagi-DenBeste Racing announced Wednesday that Ryan Truex will drive the team’s No. 98 Ford in three NASCAR XFINITY Series races this season.

Truex, 23, will compete in the No. 98 starting Sept. 11 at Richmond International Raceway. He is also scheduled to drive at 1.5-mile tracks, Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 26) and Charlotte Motor Speedway (Oct. 9). The three-race deal was facilitated through Biagi-DenBeste’s partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports.

Truex last competed in the XFINITY Series in 2012, driving for three different car owners. His most recent NASCAR national series action was last season, participating in 23 races for BK Racing.

“I’ve had some time away from racing, and it’s given me a chance to refocus on my career,” Truex said in a release provided by Richard Petty Motorsports. “I feel more driven than ever to perform well and prove that I can race with the best in the sport. I’d like to thank the fans as well. They’ve been really supportive of me on social media, asking when I’ll be back racing again. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for them.”

Biagi-DenBeste has competed in 11 XFINITY races this season, with RPM teammates Aric Almirola and Sam Hornish Jr. — both Sprint Cup regulars — splitting driving duties. The team’s best finish in 2015 was Almirola’s seventh-place effort in the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.

“We’re excited to join RPM in giving Ryan (Truex) this opportunity to get back to racing in the XFINITY Series,” said Fred Biagi, team co-owner. “We’ve had fast cars this season and good results with both Aric and Sam; so hopefully, we can do the same with Ryan behind the wheel at Richmond.”

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Staff Report

Chat with fans during the action at Darlington Raceway

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Nascar

Unsecured ballast (lead weight) that becomes detached from a race car as well as the loss of a wheel or wheels due to improper installation will now result in a mandatory minimum four-race suspension for specific team personnel, according to a bulletin issued Wednesday by the sanctioning body.

The infractions are P3 level penalties under the 2015 NASCAR Deterrence Policy. Previously the length of suspension was not specified, but listed as “for one or more races.”

According to the bulletin, the loss of a wheel or wheels due to improper installation would result in a minimum four-race suspension for the crew chief, tire changer and tire carrier of the lost wheel or wheels.

For the loss or separation of ballast weight, the crew chief, car chief and head engineer would receive four-race suspensions.

Disciplinary action for P3 penalties may also include:

• Loss of 15 championship owner and driver points and/or

• A monetary fine (varies depending on series) and/ro

• Probation until the end of the calendar year for the crew chief and/or any other team members (as determined by NASCAR) or six months if the period following the notice of the penalty spans across two seasons.

Because of the danger created by the loss of ballast or a wheel, NASCAR considers the violation a safety issue. The four-race mandatory suspension is for a first offense.

At least two incidents of unsecured ballast have occurred this season, most notably at Iowa Speedway in May when XFINITY Series driver Jamie Dick was struck in the helmet by a weight that fell off the entry being driven by Ross Chastain. Dick was not injured.

The No. 97 entry with XFINITY Series driver Peyton Sellers was also penalized this year for an improperly attached weight that fell out of Seller’s car at Dover International Speedway in May.