Experiments are over; now we will get an answer to the question of whether less downforce will mean better racing.
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It begins at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where a field of 39 cars (one fewer than a full complement) takes the track in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. Downforce, the aerodynamic effect that makes cars stick to the track, is reduced for this race.
Demonstrated twice in 2015, winning favor with drivers, this change means cars will be more difficult to handle. The upside: Drivers have greater control, and action will be less predictable.
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This is NASCAR’s new reality for every track except Daytona and Talladega. It all starts on the asphalt of Atlanta.
UPDATE: Kevin Harvick led after Lap 250, with 103 laps led in the race.
Starting lineup for Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500
Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga. (car numbers in parentheses)
- (41) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 191.582 mph 2. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 190.130 mph 3. (6) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 189.987 mph 4. (31) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 189.961 mph 5. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Ford, 189.863 mph 6. (4) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 189.779 mph 7. (19) Carl Edwards, Toyota, 189.766 mph 8. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 189.681 mph 9. (78) Martin Truex Jr, Toyota, 189.364 mph 10. (44) Brian Scott #, Ford, 188.591 mph 11. (5) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 187.196 mph 12. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 190.385 mph 13. (20) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 190.260 mph 14. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 190.182 mph 15. (13) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 190.150 mph 16. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr, Chevrolet, 189.818 mph 17. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 189.144 mph 18. (14) Ty Dillon(i), Chevrolet, 189.138 mph 19. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 188.790 mph 20. (42) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 188.719 mph 21. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 188.713 mph 22. (47) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 188.636 mph 23. (21) Ryan Blaney #, Ford, 187.449 mph 24. (24) Chase Elliott #, Chevrolet, 189.390 mph 25. (10) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 189.079 mph 26. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, 189.041 mph 27. (43) Aric Almirola, Ford, 188.565 mph 28. (15) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 188.028 mph 29. (38) Landon Cassill, Ford, 187.837 mph 30. (7) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 187.392 mph 31. (34) Chris Buescher #, Ford, 187.120 mph 32. (95) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 185.903 mph 33. (23) David Ragan, Toyota, 185.778 mph 34. (46) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 185.617 mph 35. (83) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, 185.499 mph 36. (98) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 184.039 mph 37. (30) Josh Wise, Chevrolet, 183.820 mph 38. (32) Jeffrey Earnhardt #, Ford, 180.769 mph 39. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 0.000 mph
