NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: Talladega Speeds Expected To Be 197-198
A smaller restrictor plate will be in use this weekend at Talladega than the one used in February at Daytona...
Mike Hembree  |  Posted April 14, 2011   Charlotte, NC
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series director John Darby. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
The day of the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway in February was one of anxiety for NASCAR officials.

They watched as Sprint Cup drivers, hooked up in the new Daytona version of the two-car draft, shot speeds into a relative stratosphere, spinning gauges to 206 miles per hour.

That was very fast.

That also was not acceptable.

Sustained average speeds that float over the 200-mph mark tend to excite officials because crossing that barrier seems to increase the risk of spectacular accidents, particularly those of the airborne – and much more dangerous – variety.

So NASCAR stepped into its occasional role as speed police, eventually changing the engine restrictor plate that helps control speeds at Daytona and Talladega and toying with the cooling systems that teams use to feed air to the engine compartment, with the aim of occasionally disrupting the two-car tandems.

The plan worked, and a modification of it will be in use this weekend during practice and qualifying for the Aaron’s 499 and the race itself at Talladega Superspeedway.

After Daytona Speedweeks, NASCAR dropped the size of the restrictor plate by 1/64 of an inch to 7/8 for this weekend. A minor impact on speed is expected.

“Traditionally, Talladega has always been a tick behind Daytona in plate size because the track is longer and the cars can build up more momentum,” said John Darby, Sprint Cup Series director.

Darby said he expects speeds this weekend to be in the 197-198 mph neighborhood “with an occasional lap at 200 to 201.”

The two-car draft that worked so well at Daytona was in use last fall at Talladega, although on a lesser scale. It worked especially well at Daytona because of the track’s new surface.

Darby said he expects more of the same this week.

“Talladega is where it all started,” he said. “People forget that. Over half the field was using the two-car push last fall. We expect more this time.”

Two-car drafts were the order of the day this past season at Daytona. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Although the relatively new drafting style created some controversy at Daytona and there were doubts about the quality of the racing on the eve of the 500, many observers rated the competition in the race as good, if unusual, and the event ended in spectacular fashion with rookie Trevor Bayne winning.

“Even today, talking to people, they’ll bring up the Daytona 500 and say, ‘What about that Daytona 500?,'” Darby said. “It was different from any other and the drafting was different, but, as the week went on, I think the value of it started to show. Guys were able to pass when they wanted to pass, and it was pretty exciting over the course of a 500-mile race.

“I think the Daytona 500 will be remembered as successful for that and many other reasons, and I think Talladega will be very much the same way.”

Two practice rounds for Sunday’s race are scheduled Friday – at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET. Qualifying is scheduled at 11:35 a.m. Saturday and the race at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 29 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
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