Future stars test NASCAR’s 2016 rules package at MIS

BROOKLYN, Mich. (Oct. 20, 2015) — NASCAR tested its 2016 base package that will be used during the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season at Michigan International Speedway on Tuesday, enlisting the help of three future superstars.

Drivers Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher and Erik Jones tested the super-fast, two-mile racetrack, helping engineers look at max speeds and corner speeds to determine the best tire combination for when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to the racetrack in June.

The base package for next year at Michigan is a low downforce package that includes a 3.5-inch spoiler, a 0.25-inch front leading splitter edge and a 33-inch wide radiator pan. These components will provide lower downforce on the cars, so Goodyear will develop tires to complement that.

So what does this mean for drivers and fans?

Characteristics of the lower downforce rules package means more off-throttle time for drivers and decreasing corner speeds. This generates more passing zones over the entire track, and allows for multiple tire combinations to be levered.

Testing took place throughout the beautiful, mid-70s day.

Speedway officials also announced on Tuesday a partnership with FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan. The company will host the FireKeepers Casino 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on June 12, committing to three years with the racetrack.

“The entire team at FireKeepers Casino Hotel is excited to join forces with one of the largest events in the state of Michigan by being the title sponsor of the June NASCAR race at MIS,” said FireKeepers Casino CEO Brian Decorah. “The Michigan race is one of the most popular races on the NASCAR circuit, and we look forward to providing our guests with once-in-a-lifetime experiences at the track and exclusive VIP access.”

Michigan International Speedway will host a pair of NASCAR weekends in 2016. The first of its two NASCAR weekends is June 10-12 with the Corrigan Oil 200 ARCA Racing Series on June 10; NASCAR XFINITY Series on June 11; and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FireKeepers Casino on June 12.

The Sprint Cup Series will wind up its summertime stint at MIS on August 28 with the Pure Michigan 400. The Camping World Truck Series Careers for Veterans 200 presented by The Cooper Standard Foundation & Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation is on August 27.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT BENKO