NASCAR incorporates high drag aero package for XFINITY Series

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series isn’t the only tour experimenting with a high drag package this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — the XFINITY Series will also integrate the modifications on that tour’s race cars this weekend. 

Most noticeably, the Mustangs, Camrys and Camaros will have an additional two inches across the top of the spoiler. Currently, there are two two-inch extensions at either end of the four-inch spoiler, but the new polycarbonate attachment will add two inches across the entire width of the piece. NASCAR made the spoilers available to the teams at the sanctioning body’s expense on July 16th.

Teams will also use a three-inch “Superspeedway Style” extension on the rear bumper cover and start with a 3.70 gear in an effort to target 8,200 RPM for the race.

NASCAR hopes the higher drag package will encourage drafting and pack racing at Indianapolis. 

Joe Gibbs Racing NXS crew chief Eric Phillips was encouraged by the changes. The Canton, Ill. - native, who grew up not far from the Brickyard, told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio he’s in favor of experimenting with different packages to improve the racing product.

Growing up not far from Indianapolis and it kind of being a sacred racetrack to me, I don’t know if some of the NASCAR races have been the best there at times. So I applaud them for trying to do something different like they did at Kentucky.

Eric Phillips

“It gives us about 50 more counts of drag and then to balance the aero — when you put that much drag atop the spoiler  — we also gained some more downforce, which is about 50 to 60 counts of rear down,” Phillips said. “So then they extended the bottom of the bumper three inches to try to decrease some of the aero gains, the downforce gains, and they did a pretty good job of it from what we can tell.

“I’m excited about it. I applaud NASCAR for trying something. Growing up not far from Indianapolis and it kind of being a sacred racetrack to me, I don’t know if some of the NASCAR races have been the best there at times. So I applaud them for trying to do something different like they did at Kentucky. I think we all thought that was a success. This is a completely different direction but  it may have similar results. It’s just tough to tell right now. They’re not just sitting back and staying with the status quo, they’re trying to make our sport better every day.”

NXS teams will be given an additional 30 minutes of practice this weekend. Ty Dillon is the defending winner of the Lilly Diabetes 250.