New NASCAR rules package raises heat concerns at Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS — Heat inside the cars has suddenly become a major concern for drivers heading into Sunday’s Jeff Kyle 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Drivers in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race said they experienced abnormally high temperatures inside the cars, and some cited the new high-drag aerodynamic rules package as part of the reason.
"Expecting tomorrow to be the hottest race I've ever drove in. 140+," Brad Keselowski tweeted. "Definitely hotter with this rules package."
Keselowski theorized the tail extension on the bottom of the Cup cars has added 10 to 20 degrees of temperature inside the car.
Rodney Childers, Kevin Harvick’s crew chief, tweeted the tail extensions "have killed the underneath flow (of air)."
"Nothing to pull the hot air out from under the car," he added. "That's what is doing it."
Alex Bowman, who drove in the Xfinity race, replied to Childers and said: "And let me tell you it is HOT!!!"
Xfinity winner Kyle Busch required a trip to the infield care center after the race to receive extra fluids from an IV.
Drivers indicated the heat was an unintended consequence of NASCAR’s new rules package, which officials hope will result in more passing at Indianapolis — which usually isn’t known for good racing.
Jeff Gordon crew chief Alan Gustafson told Paste BN Sports he was among those who were worried about the impact at Indianapolis, where it’s already sticky and muggy.
"It’s going to be hot and slick, and the cars are going to be really hard to cool with this aerodynamic package," he said. "It’s going to be a concern."
The temperatures and possibility of dehydration have certainly caught the drivers’ attention — especially after several drivers required treatment after last week’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
"Looks like a guy better be getting on the water," Clint Bowyer tweeted, adding a wide-eyed emoji icon for good measure.
Follow Jeff Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck.
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