New All-Star Race Package Should Slow Harvick Down

Kevin Harvick is 6/1 to win Saturday night at Charlotte.

NASCAR has finally figured out how to slow Kevin Harvick down on 1.5-mile tracks, which should make Saturday night’s non-points All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway the most competitive since its inception in 1985. There’s still $1 million given to the winner, but this year all 21 eligible drivers will actually have a legitimate shot to win because NASCAR implemented a new restrictor-plate and aero-package program this week as a test.

NASCAR announced last month they would put restrictor-plates on the engines to restrict air flow to slow the cars. The effect is a reduction of about 250 horsepower. Rear drag will also be created by raising the spoiler up to six inches and front aero ducts have been added that will move the air to the side of the car before it hits the front wheels.

This package is modeled after what NASCAR used at Indianapolis last season in the Xfinity Series. The desired end result is cars being bunched up together like at Daytona and Talladega with lots of lead changes and a fantastic finish like plate races typically produce.

If it works out well and the racing is competitive, expect to see the program used more next season and beyond, and I’m fine with it. I think I’m going to like it. This is part of the answer moving forward to making the races more competitive and drawing more fans back to the track.

Let’s face it, NASCAR has a problem on its hands, which is why the France family is having Goldman-Sachs shop it around to see if there are any serious buyers. Bill France’s grandchildren have been so behind the curve on everything to do with their sport. They wait to the lowest point NASCAR has been in two decades to find a bidder.

Anyway, the racing should be good. And while I don’t mind seeing Harvick win every week – five wins in 12 races – I do at least like to see him work for it, which he did Saturday night at Kansas. There is a major divide between those who are fast and those that aren’t on the big horsepower tracks. Harvick’s Stewart Haas Racing team put the work and money in to gain an edge, and it stinks for them to see that edge and secret negated this week with $1 million up for grabs, but the sport is dying and needs a boost.

What we need is drivers like Bubba Wallace or Chase Elliott winning races, or a possibility they have a chance to win. Right now, they don’t unless it’s a plate race. When races on the 1.5-mile tracks come around, we all know the only way Harvick loses is if he has an unforced error. That’s no fun. Those races have been no drama, for the most part. But things will be different this week.

Now that we know what the cars are going to be like, let’s discuss how many drivers will be racing and the format.

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