Michigan International Speedway looked more like Daytona last weekend. Two race cars went for dramatic tumbles on the backstretch, including the Cup Series Chevy Camaro of Corey LaJoie and the No. 28 NASCAR Ford Mustang Dark Horse of Kyle Sieg in the Xfinity Series. The sanctioning body has now announced new regulations for the Cup Series cars that will hopefully keep them grounded as the divisions head for Daytona this weekend.
A report from NASCAR.com details the changes headed for the NASCAR Ford Mustang racers, along with the Chevy Camaro ZL1 and Toyota TRD Camry entries. Wind tunnel tests were performed this week, prompting NASCAR to mandate a new right-side air deflector, which will be required as of this weekend’s race at Daytona on August 24th, 2024.
The new component will increase the liftoff speed of the race cars as soon as a spin starts, making it less likely to go airborne in the event of a wreck. NASCAR will supply the part to teams, and it matches the air deflectors already affixed to the left sides of the race cars.
The mandate is a direct result of LaJoie’s wreck at Michigan. His race car went sideways and almost immediately blew over, flipping onto its roof before rolling back over. Interestingly, the roof flaps atop the No. 7 Camaro did little to slow it as it spun out, causing it to flip like it weighed nothing. LaJoie was unhurt in the crash and was able to exit the race car under his own power after it came to rest in the infield grass.
At this time, NASCAR has not announced changes to the Xfinity Series cars in response to the incident involving the No. 28 NASCAR Ford of Sieg.
The Cup Series race at Daytona is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
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