Three-Time Brickyard Winner Evernham Sees Potential in New Package

Ray Evernham knows a little about success at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a stock car, having served as crew chief for Jeff Gordon’s first two Brickyard 400 wins (1994, ’98) and as Bill Elliott’s car owner when the popular Georgian won in 2002.

And the way he sees it, NASCAR’s new aero package for the upcoming Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard is a big step toward a more successful race for drivers and fans alike.

To help promote more compelling competition around the flat 2.5-mile IMS oval, NASCAR is implementing a “higher drag” package including a taller nine-inch spoiler and other tweaks to the Sprint Cup Series cars.

View New Aero Package Infographic

“This will get us in the right direction,” Evernham said. “I think it’s going to provide more opportunities for the drivers to pass, and that creates better racing. (Last week) at Kentucky Speedway, there were options. This package will create options.”

The most obvious change to fans will be the taller spoiler, which combined with a one-inch wickerbill will put added downforce on the rear of the car while creating a bigger “hole” in the air that should allow trailing cars to draft easier.

To offset the aero push on the back, the front of the car will be aided by a two-inch splitter leading edge and 43-inch radiator pan.

“The rear downforce creates a hole in the air, the front keeps cars running together,” Evernham said. “Especially down the long straights at Indy, I think we’ll see a lot of jockeying down into the corner.

“There’s going to be so much turbulent air. I like the idea of one car being able to get close to the other car. If people want to see more passing and more running in groups, this package could do it.”

On Friday, July 24, Sprint Cup teams will get five hours of practice time to work on the new package and try to find the right combination for getting up front and staying there.

“It’s a challenge, but it’s a fun challenge. I think it kind of spices things up a bit,” said Keith Rodden, crew chief for the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Kasey Kahne. “I think this new package will be a lot of fun. If someone really hits it right they can have a bit of an advantage, but for the most part everyone got all of the information at the same time and it’s probably going to be a pretty equal playing field amongst all of the competitors.”

Kahne was in the hunt for the win last year, battling with Gordon. Might someone like Kahne break through for a first win at the Brickyard? Might Gordon get an unprecented sixth win at IMS? Or will another Brickyard champion like Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick or Ryan Newman add to their win total?

Fans could see matters get racy while those questions get answered.

“Someone’s going to get to the edge of the envelope, and it may not be who you think,” Evernham said. “You’ve got the surprise factor, guys will have to play more strategy.”