CUP: Key Daytona Testing Starts Thursday

Sprint Cup

CUP: Key Daytona Testing Starts Thursday

New rules package and fuel-injected engines add uncertainty to preseason runs…

Mike Hembree | Posted January 10, 2012 Charlotte, NC

After several preliminary tests, NASCAR Sprint Cup teams are making the full switch to Electronic Fuel Injection for the 2012 season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Almost every preseason brings a new rules package for the season-opening Daytona 500, but the one that will be in force during testing at Daytona International Speedway this week is a major detour from seasons past.

Sprint Cup teams will be arriving in Daytona Beach Tuesday and Wednesday for three full days of test runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the site of the season-opening 500.

In an attempt by NASCAR to cut into the art of tandem drafting at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway, the sanctioning body has toyed with the big-track rules package. NASCAR test runs using the new package were held at Daytona last November and at Talladega the previous month.

The changes include smaller radiators, a change in the radiator inlet location, softer springs, a smaller rear spoiler and a larger restrictor plate.

The radiator changes are designed to limit the time the cars can stay locked together in the two-car draft by increasing the possibility of overheating.

Additionally, teams will be working with fuel-injected engines for the first time.

“This is an opportunity we are providing to the competitors to implement and test the new Daytona rules package for 2012,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “It’s a chance for them to get comfortable with the cooling package, the smaller spoiler and to practice drafting for next month’s Daytona 500

“While we have had other tests with these setups, this is the first opportunity for the entire field to test together and get more comfortable with this package as it relates to their cars.”

The sessions will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET each day with a break for lunch.

SPEED will broadcast the afternoon portions of the tests from 1 to 5 p.m. each day. SPEED.com will stream the morning sessions (9 a.m.-noon).

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.

DAYTONA PRESEASON THUNDER TESTING: During the Jan. 12-14 test sessions at Daytona International Speedway, fans can submit questions and comments through Twitter @SPEED (http://www.twitter.com/speed) using the #daytonatesting hashtag.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Hembree

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