Crew chiefs divided on new Daytona aero package ahead of Coke Zero Sugar 400

Billy Scott holds plenty of fond memories at Daytona International Speedway. Growing up near Tampa roughly two hours southwest of the speedway, Scott fell in love with racing at the track as a child. His most recent trip to the venue added another chapter when he guided Tyler Reddick to victory in the 68th running of the Great American Race in February, a win that ranks at the top of his career accolades.

Now, six months later, Scott and the other 39 crew chiefs are learning on the fly. When the green flag waves on Saturday's Coke Zero Sugar 400, a new superspeedway aerodynamic package will debut. It features a rear spoiler shortened from 7 inches to 4 inches, matching the height used at intermediate tracks. This shorter spoiler is intended to reduce drag, while horsepower has been dropped from 510 to 465 to compensate for the reduced downforce.

Because Friday's single-car qualifying session provided the only on-track laps before the race, teams vary in their expectations. Some believe it will be a welcome change, while others wait to see how it plays out. Derrick Finley, a 30-year veteran and Ryan Preece's crew chief, does not expect a drastic transformation.

"I'll be honest, I don't think it's going to be as big of a change as everyone thinks," Finley said. "We've raced here in the past with a lot less downforce, similar speed, similar horsepower. I don't think it's going to be as big of a change as you think. That's my opinion. It could be wrong. When I look at the aero balance, I look at the simulation, it scares you to death. But then I take the experience side of it, and we've raced here a lot with very similar and less downforce, and it's kind of a normal Daytona race."

The opening 35-lap stage, which is less than a full fuel run, should give crew chiefs useful information on how to adjust for the remaining 125 circuits. But until the cars run three-wide for multiple rows or a driver pulls out of line to move forward, much remains unknown. Scott views the alterations as substantial, noting the massive reduction in drag, horsepower, and downforce. The biggest unknown for his team, with an eye toward Talladega Superspeedway, is how the machines will drive in a pack.