NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will "bear a vast majority of the cost to implement a new aerodynamic rules package" for the July 11 Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, according to Jim Utter of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. A NASCAR memo to teams this week said that the teams will "be responsible for the cost of virtually all the changes required for cars to participate" in the race. The rules package -- incorporated to "help provide a better quality of racing, including more lead changes -- features a significant reduction in downforce, changes to the rear spoiler and front splitter and gears." Teams are "responsible for the cost of bringing an extra vehicle to the planned additional test day at Kentucky, the splitter change, a radiator pan change and the four additional sets of tires for the extra practice time." Sources said that the cost distribution -- with teams "bearing most of the expense -- is not out of line for rules package changes, although this change is more rushed than others with the race just a month out" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/18).
