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NASCAR: Five Lessons Learned From The Quaker State 400 At Kentucky

By Michael Guadalupe

Jul 11, 2015; Sparta, KY, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) and Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) during the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 11, 2015; Sparta, KY, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) and Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) during the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 7, 2016; Sparta, KY, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) crosses the start/finish line during practice for the Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Some drivers, like Joey Logano, love the new downforce package. It makes racing back in the field more of a challenge but still doesn’t impact what clean air does to the leading car. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Downforce Fixes Some Issues, Not All

A lower downforce package was used at Kentucky on Saturday night and it seemed to impact the race more than the package did at Michigan.

Drivers like Martin Truex Jr., who ran into problems in the pits and had to push their way to the front were able to pass cars that were slower than him.

Truex Jr. didn’t get stuck in the back of the field and he didn’t seem to have a hard time passing other drivers until he managed to get closer to the front.

The new downforce package has made it easier for drivers to pass each other in the field, even though it makes the driving a little more challenging.

The problem with the new downforce package though is that it didn’t fix one of the biggest issues with cookie cutter tracks; one driver gets out in front and dominates the race.

Kevin Harvick dominated the race early because of clean air as once he got out in front, no one could pass him.

Brad Keselowski, who was running out of fuel on the last two laps was still able to hold off Carl Edwards even after Edwards was right on his bumper. The clean air gave Keselowski the advantage and helped him stay out in front.

Clean air is still impacting the lead car and making it harder for the rest of the field to catch up, which means NASCAR still has some work to do when it comes to the downforce package.

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