Since NASCAR introduced the Next Gen car at the start of the 2022 season, many fans and insiders in the sport have criticized races at short-tracks and road courses because the new car seems to have diminished drivers' ability to pass other cars.
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After plenty of testing during the offseason, NASCAR hopes to have squared away the Next Gen car's issues at short tracks and road courses in 2024.
According to Jim Utter from Motorsport.com, the cars will run a simplified diffuser with several other updates. These changes were made after plenty of driver feedback from their test at Phoenix in December.
NBC Sports' Steve Letarte broke down the new rules package for the short tracks and road courses on a video posted to NASCAR's X page.
.@SteveLetarte tells you everything you need to know about the new rules package for short tracks and road courses. pic.twitter.com/NWJ7r1aFV6
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 11, 2024
There will be several races until the simplified diffuser is installed on the cars, and it will not be used for the season-opening non-points exhibition Busch Light Clash at the LA Coliseum.
NASCAR vice president of vehicle performance, Eric Jacuzzi, shared with Utter some of the takeaways from the December testing, and why and how the new changes have a chance to make the racing better at the short tracks and road courses.
"At the test, we noticed an improvement in traffic. The car did not lose rear downforce when it yawed, which is an issue we fight with the current car. The drivers would be able to slide around more on the short tracks and really have to be less careful about putting power down," Jacuzzi said. "We felt that would be a benefit, and that was the big takeaway from the driver feedback. At the test, they felt they could really tell that it was more forgiving. They felt they could slide the car."
The new package won't take to the track until March 10th at Phoenix, and even when it does, it isn't likely going to immediately show a better product. In reality, drivers and fans alike will have to be patient as the teams adjust to the new aerodynamic package.
