NASCAR Debuts the 2016 Low Downforce Package at Atlanta

Matt Hazlett Getty Images

By Richard Tix

Last season NASCAR fan's from all around and every thought of thinking eventually got impatient with the 2015 aero package and the lack of "action" they thought it brought each week. At the same time NASCAR may have been thinking the same think because they had plans to test out a new "low downforce" package with driver input.

They debuted this package and had a trial by fire type approach at Kentucky Speedway last season. The reviews came out golden from fans and drivers alike. A normal annual middle of the pack Kentucky race ended up being one of the more exciting Kentucky race in recent history.

NASCAR brought it back later in the season for a fantastic weekend at Darlington. Between all the throwback paint schemes (a look here at all of them) and the luster that still holds at Darlington Raceway with NASCAR faithful, it was a hit again. The better thing about how well the package went over? It wasn't even set up with a new tire that might help it even more. Meaning, they just used the same tire combo from the year before.

Photo: Getty Images

So, NASCAR made the decision to go to this low downforce package for the entire 2016 season (after also testing an high drag package at MIS and IMS) and it gets it's first test of the season this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This time around, it will also be paired with a new tire that should provide for a nice balance off fall off with this new aero package. Between Atlanta's rough surface that makes tire fall off a big thing to keep an eye on and this new package that teams do not have a full handle on yet, this weekend should be some great racing.

Going forward this package will continue to be the talk of NASCAR. One race will not be the make or break moment many fans will make it out to be (whether it goes bad or well). One thing is for sure, NASCAR engineers will eventually squeeze all of the downforce they can out of this package, because that is their job and they're really good at it. Some teams will advance faster while others lag behind a bit. It is the way NASCAR is with any new car or aero package as it is what guys get paid to do. So, fans, it isn't always NASCAR's fault, sometimes it is just the way it works.

I do think using this package is a good step in the right direction. I also think new tire combinations with this package will also help. However, not every track is the same so I do think some tweaks on the package (aero) to match each track would be the man goal, but not easy to do.

This weekend is the first test for the package in 2016, but it is not the only grade that will be used to determine if it is a hit or miss.

The Details:

• Spoiler - 2015: 6" tall, 2016: 3.5" tall
• Splitter - 2015: 2" overhang, 2016: .25" overhang
• Radiator Pan - 2015: 38" wide, 2016: 33" wide

Between a shorter spoiler helping to get rid of some of the "unwanted" downforce to a smaller splitter, the new packages should help lose some of the downforce teams were used to seeing. Each will still be looking for ways to get the most out of this package and many will eventually succeed. The hope is that even once they get to that point that the package is still a better product then the one in 2015. Anytime NASCAR takes some downforce away from teams the racing will get better for at least awhile while teams and drivers scramble to get a handle on it. So, tune in Sunday (Atlanta Motor Speedway TV Schedule) because it should be a fun ride.