Sports: Test goal: Restriction on plates

Test goal: Restriction on plates

By KEVIN KELLY

The future of restrictor-plate racing in the Winston Cup Series could be decided today at Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR is conducting a test session to experiment with aerodynamics and horsepower. At least six of the series' top drivers will participate.

Restrictor plates, required at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway since 1987, cut horsepower and limit speeds by reducing the amount of air flowing to the carburetor.

Drivers have complained about their inability to pull away from competitors and wrecks while fans have endured some of the dullest racing of the season at the two restrictor-plate tracks.

"Right now, it's really a boring race for the drivers because they're just sitting around waiting for the big wreck to happen," said Michael McSwain, crew chief for Ricky Rudd.

The rear spoiler angle will be increased from 45 to 65 degrees and a 1-inch strip will be added across the front of the cars' roofs for today's test.

"The test is to see if there's something we can do with the aero package without disturbing the car itself," NASCAR senior vice president and chief operating officer Mike Helton said.

The changes are designed to slow cars with drag instead of the restrictor plates, allowing for more throttle response.

If the test proves successful, NASCAR may choose to increase the diameter of the holes drilled in the plates, adding about 75 horsepower.

"I think (NASCAR) is headed in the right direction," McSwain said. "I also think it's to the point to where the only way we're going to see if it works is to get some cars on the race track and do it in a pack at a real race track to see what effect it has on the car."

TO THEIR CORNERS: Jeff Gordon's bid for a record seven consecutive road race victories ended, but not quietly, in the Global Crossing at the Glen on Sunday.

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Gordon and Tony Stewart collided on the second of 90 laps, damaging both cars. Stewart managed a sixth-place finish while Gordon, who was a lap down at one point, finished 23rd.

Afterward, Gordon confronted Stewart in the garage and the two engaged in an argument that ended with Gordon telling Stewart, "I'll slam you into the wall the first chance I get."

It was not the first time the drivers had been involved in post-race incidents.

Last August at New Hampshire, Gordon argued with Dale Jarrett after the two bumped. Stewart threw heat shields at, and attempted to punch Kenny Irwin in October at Martinsville and got into a shoving match with Robby Gordon in February at Daytona.

GUTSY PERFORMANCE: Two weeks after he was knocked unconscious at Chicago Speedway and one week after he canceled a test at Elkhart Lake, Christian Fittipaldi finished third in the Miller Lite 200 on Sunday at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

"I'm sure I'll be sore (Monday), but I feel okay right now," Fittipaldi said. "This is the best car I've ever had here and this has been one of the hardest tracks for our team over the past few years.

"So this is a victory from that standpoint."

PIT STOPS: By winning the Global Crossing at the Glen, Steve Park became the 13th winner in the Winston Cup Series this season, the most since there were 14 in 1991. ... Mika Hakkinen's win in the Hungarian Grand Prix was the 17th of his career and third this season. The two-time champion leads the standings by two points over Michael Schumacher. Should he go on to win a third straight championship, Hakkinen would become the first driver to win three consecutive titles since Juan Fangio more than 40 years ago. ... Lowe's Motor Speedway is selling a commemorative ticket featuring photos of Richard, Kyle and the late Lee and Adam Petty and their cars for UAW-GM Quality 500 pole qualifying on Oct. 4.

- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.