DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR officials have announced the addition of a chicane to the Daytona Road Course layout for the upcoming events at Daytona Int’l Speedway.
The chicane, which has been added off of oval turn four, adds another tactical element to the track and also slows the cars down entering the high speed turn one into the infield.
“NASCAR and its OEMs ran several simulations to determine the course layout and engine/aero package for the inaugural NASCAR race on the Daytona Int’l Speedway road course,” said John Probst, senior vice president of racing innovation. “Due to the predicted high speeds and loads on the braking system, NASCAR will add a chicane off oval turn four at Daytona and move to a high downforce 750 hp aero/engine package for the NASCAR Cup Series race on Aug. 16. We believe this will combine vehicle performance and safety to provide the best possible road course race for our fans.”
In addition, NASCAR has announced a modified rules package that will be used for the event.
The package combines elements of the two rules packages being utilized by teams at tracks this year. The cars will feature the high downforce aero package, but also include the 750 horsepower engine package. This is the only event where this combination of rules will be used this season.
“Daytona Int’l Speedway is known for producing iconic moments in the history of NASCAR, and this will surely join that long list,” said track President Chip Wile. “Just when you thought the racing couldn’t get any more intense and interesting at the World Center of Racing, it did. The turn four chicane gives the drivers a final shot to make a pass coming to the famed finish line. The fans in the venue are going to be in for a treat on the Daytona Road Course – just like the races on the old Daytona beach/road course that were put on by Bill France, Sr. in the 1940s and ‘50s.”
The weekend is set to feature the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series.
Stage lengths for each of the NASCAR national events have also been announced.
The total distance for the NASCAR Cup Series race will be 234.65 miles, with stage breaks coming on laps 15 and 30 of the 65-lap race. The NASCAR Xfinity Series race will be 187.72 miles in length, with breaks also coming on laps 15 and 30 of the 52-lap event. Finally, the Truck Series event will be 158.85 miles in length, with stage breaks at laps 12 and 25 of the 44-lap race.
The ARCA Menards Series will open the weekend on Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. ET. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will race the following day, Aug. 15, at 3 p.m. The Truck Series hits the track Aug. 16 at Noon, followed by the Cup Series at 3 p.m.