Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Could be Crystal Ball for Rest of NASCAR Season

NASCAR fans and bettors will get an indication of how the new two baseline rules packages will affect drivers at this week’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This will be the first race since the organization announced they were implementing the measures in October for the new season.

The rules affect 17 of the 36 Cup Series contests at tracks that are longer than one mile. There will be a smaller tapered spacer to reduce engine horsepower from 750 mph to 550 mph. There will also be aero ducts used at all but five of the 17 races.

Other changes include a taller 8-inch by 61-inch rear spoiler, a larger front splitter with a 2-inch overhang, and a wider radiator pan that measures 37 inches wide in the front tapering to 31 inches at the rear.

The goal, according to Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, was to bring more cars into the competition.

“It’s really been over a two-year process, working with the race teams, the OEMs, specifically the engine builders and probably the most collaborative effort we’ve had across all the industry stakeholders, including the drivers, to get to this package,” O’Donnell said. “For us, it’s really a focus on getting back to a true focus on the drivers and what NASCAR is all about — close side-by-side racing and trying to deliver more of that.”

Slowing Down Dominance

Last year the Big Three of Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Martin Truex Jr., won 17 of the first 23 races of 2018, though they slowed a bit later in the season, taking only three of the next 12. The trio also failed to win the Cup title, which was captured by Joey Logano.

Still NASCAR officials believed they had an issue with some drivers being able to have a stranglehold on events. They believe the new initiatives will create a more bunched up race, thus providing more excitement to a sport that needed a boost to counteract lagging fan attendance and sagging television ratings.

“I think it’s probably looking at the bigger picture of where we want to go as a sport, and as we looked at the racing on track, certainly we’re pleased with what we have, but how do we continue to evolve with what’s out there,” O’Donnell said.

Oddsmakers aren’t convinced as of yet. Much like many of the races last year, Harvick and Busch are at the top of the betting board. Harvick is the 4/1 favorite, while Busch is 6/1, along with Logano.

Others to Consider

While those three should do well, there are some that believe they also can thrive at Atlanta. Austin Dillon, who is at 50/1, recently tested his car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and said he thought his car performed well at the track that is similar to Atlanta.

“We had a successful test,” said Dillon. “I enjoyed being out there and I felt like we had some good speed. I’m looking forward to getting to Atlanta Motor Speedway to see how that race is, and then Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be the next part of the rules package. I’m pumped. I think it’s going to be interesting for sure.”

Dillon also gets his car chief, Greg Ebert, back. Ebert was suspended from the Daytona 500 because of failed car inspections.