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NASCAR’s new low downforce package: 3 things to expect in 2020

By Marty Czekala

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 17: A general view of the action during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17, 2019 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 17: A general view of the action during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17, 2019 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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MARTINSVILLE, VA – MARCH 24: A general view of the action during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 24, 2019 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
MARTINSVILLE, VA – MARCH 24: A general view of the action during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 24, 2019 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

NASCAR announced on Tuesday rule changes that include a lower downforce package in the Cup Series races on short ovals and road courses.

The changes, announced in a press release by NASCAR, includes a smaller spoiler (from eight inches to two and three-quarters), a smaller splitter (from two and a quarter inches to a quarter-inch), and a radiator pan without the vertical fencing, all combined in order to emphasize handling and driver input combined with less downforce.

These changes are slated to go into effect at nine tracks, with six of them being ovals one mile or less in length. The other three tracks are the three road courses.

The oval tracks that will be affected by these changes are Bristol Motor Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Phoenix Raceway and Richmond Raceway.

The road courses are Sonoma Raceway, Watkins Glen International and the Charlotte Motor Speedway roval.

The first race in which this package is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 8 at Phoenix Raceway.

What could we expect from this new package as the start of the 2020 Cup Series season quickly nears?

Here are three things to look out for.

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