William Byron’s Daytona 500 Winning Crew Chief Hopeful of Positive Shift as NASCAR Implements New Short-Track Package

Published 03/07/2024, 1:19 AM EST

In the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series, a fresh aerodynamic rules package has been implemented specifically for short tracks and road courses. The primary objective of these rules is to improve the racing experience on these tracks by making subtle adjustments to the Next Gen car. It will result in a significant reduction in the downforce generated by the vehicles. Notably, this package will take effect during the upcoming race at Phoenix Raceway on March 11.

The updated rules aim to enhance racing on tracks measuring 1 mile or shorter and on all road courses. With the exception of Bristol Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway, all other tracks are set to implement this rule. William Byron’s crew chief opens up about the same in an interview. Wonder what he has to say?

“I’ve been scared to crash,” reveals Fugle

Rudy Fugle, who is the crew chief of the #24 Chevy Camaro ZL1 driven by William Byron, sits for a detailed interview alongside Todd Gordon, where he appears upbeat regarding the forthcoming changes and sounded confident that they would lead to improved outcomes. Fugle pointed out, “I’m scared driving past somebody on the corner running over somebody to run the top lane and hang the car out cause there’s no edge.”

“So so far that was more than cleaners that they said and hopefully, that’s the case. So then that’s like looking for you can make it super hard to drive, but then that doesn’t always run a great race. I’ve been here side by side and I’ve been scared to crash,” Rudy Fugle further added.

Eventually, a test focused on aerodynamic and technical modifications for the Next-Gen car was carried out last December. The objective was to implement a simplified rear diffuser, reduce the number of vertical strakes, and eliminate strakes from the engine panel. The process involved six drivers from the Cup Series, including Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Corey Lajoie, Erik Jones, Chris Buescher, and Christopher Bell.

HMS Legend Breaks Down NASCAR’s New Rules Package for Short Tracks and Road Courses

To add to what drivers felt post-test, Rudy Fugle said, “I mean, I’ve just heard about it from the drivers. You know, Larson was one of the drivers, and then they all kind of acquired the same comments as they felt like they had more cleaners. You could sustain it, you know, on that as we feel that was off the car as in it played. And all these things, and they get complained as we hear is yes the rock road. It gets harder to drive.”

The need for these sudden adjustments to short-track packages

The updated rules package features a streamlined rear diffuser with fewer vertical strakes. This adjustment minimizes front downforce by maintaining a strake-free engine panel and retaining the splitter stuffers from last year’s configuration. It also aims to counterbalance the reduced downforce. They have also introduced a slightly taller rear spoiler, now measuring three inches in height. It spans the same length across the rear deck, though.

EXPLAINED: NASCAR’s New Short Track Package Being Used at Phoenix and Its Impact

All these come with several advantages, all geared toward enhancing the racing experience on short ovals and road courses. Inspired by the collaborative Garage 56 program involving NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, and Goodyear, the goal is to compete at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. After thorough testing, various packages were evaluated, and the approach of reducing downforce emerged as the most effective. As a result of this downforce reduction, the cars exhibit more skidding. This, in turn, adds excitement and challenges during corner entries and exits.

This aims at reducing the number of multi-car wrecks, resulting from abrupt maneuvers or aggressive driving. Drivers can now push harder without excessive caution about power delivery. In summary, and according to what Rudy Fugle also emphasized, these changes aim to create thrilling racing dynamics while maintaining control. It would be interesting to see how the upcoming race at Phoenix Raceway turns out.

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Written by:

Mamata Mukherjee is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. Combining her love for writing and motorsports she has created some interesting and in-depth stories on drivers like Kyle Busch, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Coming to ES with 3 years of experience in the field of writing, Mamata feels right at home in her role as a NASCAR Journalist.

Edited by:

Shivali Nathta