Update to rule changes.

Elwood · February 15, 2002

NASCAR cuts Ford and Dodge spoilers

By KEITH PARSONS

AP Sports Writer

February 15, 2002

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Ford and Dodge cars were given a boost just two days before the Daytona 500, with NASCAR making a rules change that trims a quarter-inch off their rear spoilers.

Teams were told of the change, the third since January and the second in five days, late Thursday. Ford now has a rear spoiler of 5 3/4 inches, Dodge and Chevrolet 6 1/4 inches, and Pontiac 6 1/2 inches.

Cutting the height of the spoiler, which sits atop the rear deck of the car, allows cars to go through the air with less drag, thereby increasing speed.

``It's going to take them two weeks to get it done, but they're going to make sure a General Motors car doesn't win this race,'' complained Chevrolet owner Andy Petree, who has drivers Bobby Hamilton and Mike Wallace in the field.

The move came after Jeff Gordon and Michael Waltrip each won a 125-mile qualifying race Thursday in a Chevrolet. No Ford or Dodge led during any lap of the twin races.

Ricky Rudd, fourth in the opener, was the Ford with the top finish. Sterling Marlin, who finished sixth, was the top Dodge.

In the second race, John Andretti finished eighth in a Dodge, and Todd Bodine finished 11th in a Ford.

``If you look at both races, there was a lot of moving around and a lot of passing,'' said John Darby, NASCAR's new Winston Cup director. ``But it seemed, pretty predominantly, that all that was happening between the Chevrolet and Pontiac.

``The Fords and Dodges were passing each other, too, except they were way back there in the back.''

The change was in place for an hour practice session Friday, where Kevin Harvick turned the fastest lap in a Chevrolet.

``I couldn't tell any difference in practice,'' said Dodge driver Jeremy Mayfield, 15th in the practice. ``Our car didn't seem any faster. Everybody seems pretty fast right now.''

Dodge team owner Bill Davis, who put driver Ward Burton in the field but had Hut Stricklin fail to qualify, wasn't pleased with the change.

``It's too little, too late,'' Davis said. ``We're still way behind. I'm not making excuses. We didn't bring one car down here fast enough to make the race. Shame on us.

``It just doesn't look like we can do it Sunday. We can't make progress up through the field.''

Bodine was one of five drivers who didn't participate in the practice under the new rules. He said his crew had too much work to do to improve his car.

``Taking away the spoiler has taken away downforce, so the Fords are a lot looser,'' Bodine said. ``It's a handful to drive. What they should have done, instead of cutting the spoilers again, is add something to the Chevrolets and Pontiacs.''

The Dodges of Stricklin, Jimmy Spencer and Buckshot Jones were among 10 cars not making the Daytona 500.

``It came too late for three or four of the Dodges,'' said Tony Glover, team manager for Chip Ganassi Racing, which fielded Spencer's car. ``It didn't seem like the Fords had what they needed. They look like they're a little better than we are right now, but we'll see Sunday for sure.''

In qualifying last weekend, Jimmie Johnson won the pole in a Chevrolet and only two Fords were among the top 20. Burton was fifth-fastest in a Dodge, while Dale Jarrett had the top Ford at 13th.

Kansas Kid · February 15, 2002

``Taking away the spoiler has taken away downforce, so the Fords are a lot looser,'' Bodine said. ``It's a handful to drive. What they should have done, instead of cutting the spoilers again, is add something to the Chevrolets and Pontiacs.''

And that right there is the key to this whole equation. For all I care right now, they can keep hacking on that rear spoiler for the Ford and Dodge camps. Because there is no need to worry about all out speeds now, its all about handling. This is going to come back and bite the Ford teams square in the a$$ when their cars won't handle about 20 laps into a run....