NASCAR changes race package for Pure Michigan 400 at MIS

“Each of these packages including Kentucky this weekend shows everybody that we have several components that make up a rules package each week and can certainly be adjusted”, O’Donnell said.

A tough gig for the Kentucky Speedway work crews.

O’Donnell said “all options” remain on the table for the rest of the season.

Additional track time will be added to Indy, Darlington and Michigan to test the new package, and Kentucky opens Wednesday for teams to try the rule changes.

This is expected to increase drag with the hopes of improving on-track action.

“The best way to gain points is to win races”, he said.

NASCAR spoke to owners, drivers and the speedway about the package to select the one to make the competition stronger.

They have to get used to new NASCAR rules created to bring cars closer together and encourage more passing. In 2013 it was Matt Kenseth who won four of the races on 1.5-mile tracks.

“But I think we’re going to need at least an hour practice session to get it, ‘OK, it’s not spinning out and I’ve got it fairly decent.’ Now, do we need four hours of testing and then an hour-and-a-half of practice and qualifying and all that?” In case of rain, more practice Thursday is the backup plan, O’Donnell said.

In 2005, seating in Sparta numbered 66,000.

Thursday was day 2 of Quaker State 400 week.

Jones’ crew chief, Randy Fugle, said, “We finally put it all together and collected our first win”.

Going back to the 2011 crowd’s size, the former Turfway Park president added, “Next year, if there’s a horse trying to win the Triple Crown, there won’t be the same attention as there was on American Pharoah”. “It’s getting rougher and I haven’t been there in a few years, so it should be pretty good and rough now”. “And if they say, ‘What can we do to recapture the media attention, ‘ well, wait 37 more years”.