NASCAR drivers get 1st laps with rear spoiler

[February 04, 2010]  FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Kurt Busch sees no problems with the rear spoiler that NASCAR is in the process of adapting to replace the rear wing, a move that could enhance the passing ability of cars this season while providing a more traditional look.

"This spoiler, it seems to add front downforce," Busch said Tuesday, after being one of the first drivers to try out the change. "Don't ask me how it does it. ... When you bolt something on the back of the car and it adds to the front, that's how space-age these cars are getting."

Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Brian Vickers and Busch did the first on-track testing of the spoiler, each running several laps with the aluminum spoiler instead of a rear wing during their Goodyear tire test at the 1 1/2-mile, high-banked Texas Motor Speedway.

"I really liked it. I liked the way the car drove, it drove a little bit different on the corner exit than I think the wing did," Biffle said. "I don't want to jump to conclusions (but) it may have had a little feel like the old car possibly in some scenarios. ... It seemed to drive good."

The two-day tire test is scheduled to conclude Wednesday, when the four drivers will likely do some laps together with spoilers in place.

Three years ago, NASCAR phased in a new model of race car that replaced the spoiler with a wing. The new car has been used full-time since 2008, and fans have complained it has made the racing boring.

NASCAR last May began a series of town hall and individual meetings with teams, and one of the constant cries from participants was a need to alter the car design.

"I think we're stirring up the pot, but it's in a positive direction," Busch said. "It seems like a positive reaction has been made already, and just driving it the first time today, I don't see any problem in at all. I hope that it creates the aesthetic view that the fans want to see with the spoiler back on the decks of these cars."

Stewart said the balance of the car didn't change dramatically with the spoiler, which is a good thing.

"That means you won't have to reinvent the wheel necessarily," said Stewart, who is going into his second season as a driver-owner after finishing sixth in the championship chase last year. "There's a lot more expensive changes to do than that. It's really not that bad."

NASCAR plans an informational meeting for teams in mid-March with an open test March 23-24 at Charlotte.

No race has been selected for the spoiler debut, but the package could be in place for the April 18 race at Texas.

"I think it's going to be more receptive to the fans," Vickers said of the look of the cars. "It looks a little cooler, a little more retro."

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN HAWKINS]

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