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NASCAR mandates change to Next Gen cars in response to Corey LaJoie Michigan wreck

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones08/28/24brianjones_93
Daytona, NASCAR
Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

NASCAR has made a big change to the Next Gen cars as the drivers prepare for the Cup Series playoffs. Per Matt Weaver of Sportsnaut, the air deflector placed on the right side rear of the car is now mandated for all tracks designated as intermediate and superspeedway tracks. The rule will go into effect when the playoffs begin at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept. 8.

The air deflector was added for the Daytona race this past weekend due to Corey LaJoie flipping during the race at Michigan International Speedway. At Daytona, Michael McDowell and Josh Berry flipped their cars, and the drivers said the addition made a little difference to the balance and handling of the cars.

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Corey LaJoie’s flip motivated NASCAR to add air deflector

After the Michigan wreck LaJoie visted NASCAR’s R&D Center to get a better explanation on what hapepned. “All the guys that were there that could have explained it to me – in probably way more scientific terms than I could understand – had come down to Daytona already, whether it’s Jacuzzi … Probst,” LaJoie said.

“I haven’t had a chance to connect with those guys; it was just [John] Patalak. So, I looked at more of the interior stuff – the halo bars, the mouthpiece sensor data, stuff like that to get an idea. The car performed exactly how it should in the event of a roll.”

LaJoie also shared his reaction to the flip. “That’s just about the way the year’s gone,” LaJoie revaled. “You know, we have a good car, and I find a way to flip it upside down. Twice this year, we’ve been upside down, and I haven’t been upside down in my whole career. Unfortunately, that’s how the year for our No. 7 team. We’ve had speed, just haven’t been able to put it all together. But the No. 10 chopped me a couple of times, especially off (Turn 2) and I had a run, and I don’t know, I haven’t seen the replay yet. If he pulled it off the wall when I was trying to get his left rear. … It was a ride, buddy.

“There’s sparks and dirt and all sorts of stuff coming in. I just hate that our Garner Trucking Camaro got a little dinged up. I think we had a top 12, top 10 car today. I hate that we ended up on our roof. … Kudos to NASCAR for building safe cars. … That’s a big lick.”