Aerodynamics Promise Thrilling Daytona 500

Feb. 16, 2001 -- Bill Elliott is sitting in the pole position for Sunday's Daytona 500, which should be a wild ride as changes in aerodynamics promise plenty of lead changes and passing.

Known as the "Great American Race," the Daytona 500 has always been regarded as the Super Bowl of motor sports. But last year's race was a yawner, with a nearly single-file procession for 200 laps. Dale Jarrett won last year's race, which featured just nine lead changes by seven drivers.

But the new aerodynamic rules in place at Daytona International Speedway for this year's race appear to be paying off, as this week's qualifying runs saw a record number of lead changes and thrilling finishes.

Lead Changes Galore

Drafting has always played a key role at Daytona — a tri-oval track that features high banking — and will likely figure prominently again on Sunday. Drafting occurs when cars positioned one in front of the other help reduce the air pressure on each other. The drag helps pull cars along with less effort, enabling the driver to conserve energy and then slingshot past other drivers.

For this year's race, two strips of metal have been affixed to the roof and on top of the spoiler of each car, slowing it down and promoting drafting — and, therefore, passing.

The new aerodynamic package instituted by NASCAR also includes a change in the carburetor restrictor plates, devices that reduce speed and constrict the flow of air to the carburetor. The change keeps speeds below 200 mph and enables cars to move in packs, making for a more exciting race for fans than a single-file procession might.

The changes have immediately paid off. The two, 125-mile qualifying runs were nail-biters and saw a combined record 21 lead changes, compared to just one in last year's runs. Sterling Marlin passed Dale Earnhardt, who finished third, on the final lap of their Gatorade Twin 125-mile race to win. Mike Skinner nosed Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win their qualifying contest.

‘Logogate’ and Other Criticisms

Ford has vocally criticized the aerodynamic changes, saying they unfairly penalize Ford cars, which have a different shape in the back. The strip affixed to the top of the spoiler catches too much air on Ford cars, slowing them too much and making them difficult to turn.

Another major storyline in the week leading up to the race has been "Logogate," the Fox network's foiled plans to not show, and then show, the logos of every racing team during qualifying races.

Last weekend for the Budweiser Shootout race, the network opted to not show logo graphics for those teams that hadn't purchased advertising during NASCAR telecasts. The move was blasted in a sport that is so sponsor-driven, and the network reversed its stance for Thursday's qualifying runs after meetings with NASCAR officials.

However, during the broadcast, Fox discovered it didn't have in its possession computerized graphics of all the logos and was unable to keep its promise.

Dodge Returns

Dodge is returning to the Daytona 500 after a 16-year hiatus from Winston Cup racing. The carmaker saw all of its entrants qualify for the event, including pole-sitter Elliott and No. 2 Stacy Compton.

A record crowd is expected for the annual event, according to race officials. The track was expanded after last year's Pepsi 400 race, allowing an unprecedented 167,785 seats for the Daytona 500. With an additional 30,000 fans expected to watch the race from the infield, attendance could top 200,000.