NASCAR likely using restrictor plates for Charlotte All-Star race

Restrictor plates are reportedly likely to be used in the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway next month.

Four races of the 36 races on the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series schedule are restrictor plate races, meaning restrictor plates are used in the engines of the cars to cap speeds off at a certain number, thus creating pack racing.

These four races are all held at the four-turn, 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway tri-oval in Daytona Beach, Florida and the four-turn, 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway tri-oval in Lincoln, Alabama.

The first of those two races at Daytona was the Daytona 500, which was held on Sunday, February 18th and won by Austin Dillon driving his #3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. The second of those two races at Daytona is the Coke Zero Sugar 400, and it is set to be held on Saturday, July 7th.

The first of those two races at Talladega is the GEICO 500, and it is set to be held on Sunday, April 29th. The second of those two races at Talladega is the 1000Bulbs.com 500, which is a playoff race in the round of 12 that is set to be held on Sunday, October 14th.

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However, there will likely be another restrictor plate race in the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season not at either Daytona or Talladega, although the race for which restrictor plates will likely be used is not a points-paying race that plays a role in affecting the championship.

Restrictor plates are reportedly likely to be used in the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race at the four-turn, 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway quad-oval in Concord, North Carolina next month.

That race is a 70-lap (105-mile) race featuring three stages of 20 laps and a 10-lap final stage. The winner of the race receives $1 million. Kyle Busch won the race last season driving his #18 Toyota for Richard Childress Racing.

Here is what Brett Griffin, who is the spotter for Clint Bowyer, the driver of the #14 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, had to say about the matter in the Door, Bumper, Clear podcast on Monday, according to The Drive.

"“They’re gonna knock, like, 250 [horsepower] off. Top speed was gonna be around 170 mph.”"

However, he doesn’t want NASCAR to get the wrong idea and start using restrictor plates for regular races on 1.5-mile ovals, which there are 11 of throughout the 2018 season.

"“It’s a science experiment is my opinion. And if it goes well and is entertaining, then they’ll go back and consider adding it (to regular races). Let me just tell you this, if they’re trying to accomplish pack racing at mile and a halfs, you’re getting ready to see a bunch of guys retire. Everybody over 35 years old is gonna go, ‘Hey, I’m done. I’ve made my money. I’ve had my fun. I’m not pack racing every week. I’m out.’”"

Here is what T.J. Majors, who is the spotter for Joey Logano, the driver of the #22 Ford for Team Penske, had to say about the matter, according to The Drive.

"“I might be okay if it’s just the All-Star Race. It’s a separate race.”"

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Be sure to tune in to Fox Sports 1 at 6:00 pm ET on Saturday, May 19th for the Monster Energy Open at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, as it is set to lead into the live broadcast of the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race at the track later that night at 8:00 pm ET.

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