Tony Stewart Bashes NASCAR’s “Scr*wed Up” Rule Change Restricting Wind Tunnel Time

NASCAR has introduced a few significant updates to the Cup Series rules package in 2024. These changes involve aerodynamic changes that could imply massive adjustments for racing teams. However, not everybody has accepted these developments on a happy note. Tony Stewart has recently pointed out a particular rule change that can negatively affect racers’ performance.

Similar to last year, NASCAR officials undertook a two-day test to accommodate the changes. The tests were conducted at the 1-mile Arizona track in December. Six teams tried out the components of the rule configuration and later gave positive feedback about the outcome. But Stewart has revealed a more honest, raw take on these rule changes.

Tony Stewart thinks NASCAR is pulling down race quality

Pre-race checks and tests are crucial to ensuring a smooth performance on the big day. They make sure that drivers do not face any hiccups or glitches while on the track. That is why Tony Stewart recently ranted about NASCAR’s decision to tweak the test rules.

In a recent interview with ‘The Bubba Army’, Tony Stewart frankly laid out his opinion. “The wind tunnels, it’s all dictated by manufacturers now. So NASCAR did a rule where, you know, Ford gets so many hours of wind tunnel time, Chevy gets so many hours of wind tunnel time, Toyota gets so many hours. So it’s all dictated and it’s all broke up and fragmented. It’s kind of a scr*wed-up deal to be perfectly honest.”

NASCAR capped the time of wind tunnel testing, and that is what has irked Stewart. To break down what value wind tunnel testing holds for racing teams, NBC Sports’ Steve Letarte explained in a NASCAR 101 video. He said, “A wind tunnel is just like it sounds: a tunnel of air, a tunnel of wind. The air really moves in a circle- low speed in other areas. But here in the test section where the race car is, the air gets squeezed into a venture and gets sped up to nearly a 175 miles an hour.”

He further showed how the actual racing experience is simulated inside the wind tunnel. The car tires stand on very thin steel belts that move at the speed of the car when it is on the actual track.

In a wind tunnel, all three aerodynamic properties are measured. They include downforce, drag, and side force. These factors are the basic elements that draw the line between a good and a bad race. Hence, we do see Tony Stewart’s concern about limiting the time spent testing the cars before they go out into the tough races.

Tony Stewart is pinning his hopes on his team to resume winning in 2024

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Tony Stewart is the co-owner of Stewart Haas Racing, which has not kept him happy for the past two years. The team failed to enter Victory Lane this past season for the first time since 2009. However, Stewart is very ambitious regarding his team’s prospects. He said, “We’re at the bottom of the barrel, in my opinion, and our performance is already in the tank, so we have nothing but everything in front of us. So don’t look behind. Don’t. Don’t look over your shoulder.”

Kevin Harvick brought the last victory to the team in August 2022 and has recently retired from racing. SHR is now relying on the combined talents of four drivers: Noah Gragson and Josh Berry, who are new to the team, and Ryan Preece and Chase Briscoe.

Read More: Tony Stewart’s Mentee Is Starting to Feel the Pressure as the Margin for Error Is Lower Than Ever

Tony Stewart is set to compete in the NHRA Top Fuel Dragster in 2024. It’s a notch higher for him after he took part in the Top Alcohol Dragster division last year.

Watch This Story: The Uncertain Road Ahead: Matt DiBenedetto’s 2024 NASCAR Journey