NASCAR reduces restrictor plate size

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Although no Sprint Cup cars hit the Daytona Super Speedway on Monday and Tuesday, NASCAR officials reduced the size of the restrictor plate opening from 29/32nds to 57/64ths of an inch.

That should reduce engine power by about 10 horsepower, slightly slowing down the cars.

Derrick Finley, competition director for Front Row Motorsports, commented in a statement:

“Obviously NASCAR feels like they needed to make the rule change. I don’t know if it’s really going to make that much of a difference. I’m glad I’m not the one who has to make the rule because I don’t know what the solution is, but I know they’re just trying to makes things better. It’s kind of uncharted territory with the new track surface. We’ll see.”

The Daytona 500 race will be held Sunday under this new regulation.