NASCAR: New 2015 rules options go under the microscope at Michigan test

By Tony DiZinnoAug 18, 2014, 11:00 AM EDT
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Yesterday Jeff Gordon rolled into victory lane at Michigan International Speedway, and today, several NASCAR teams are back at the track in what could be an important day for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Aero, engine and tire adjustments are on the docket for today’s test. NASCAR is examining reducing more downforce, and Goodyear is expected to bring a stickier tire, per NASCAR.com.

“We have a prime rules package and also will be doing a low downforce package, because some of the drivers have been very vocal,” said Gene Stefanyshyn, vice president Innovation and Racing Development for NASCAR, via NASCAR.com.

Those testing include Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne, Danica Patrick, Paul Menard, Brad Keselowski, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Aric Almirola, Denny Hamlin and either Clint Bowyer or Brian Vickers.

Here’s a couple early morning updates from NBCSN NASCAR AMERICA insider Nate Ryan, who is at the test:

March 28 in Motorsports History: Adrian Fernandez wins Motegi’s first race

By Michael EubanksMar 28, 2020, 8:30 AM EDT
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While auto racing is an international sport, oval racing remains uniquely American. 

That almost always has remained the case since the inception of the sport, but in 1998, the citizens of Japan got their first taste of American oval racing.

Having opened the previous year, Twin Ring Motegi was built by Honda in an effort to bring Indy-style racing to the Land of the Rising Sun. 

Adrian Fernandez was the first driver to win at the facility, taking the checkered flag in CART’s inaugural race after shaking off flu earlier that day.

Fernandez held off a hard-charging Al Unser Jr to win by 1.086 seconds. The victory was the second of his career and his first since Toronto in 1996.

Adrian Fernandez celebrates with Al Unser Jr and Gil de Ferran after winning the inaugural race at Motegi. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

The race was also memorable for a violent crash involving Bobby Rahal.

Running third with 15 laps remaining, Rahal’s right front suspension broke in Turn 2, causing his car to hit the outside wall and flip down the backstretch.

Luckily, Rahal walked away from the accident without a scratch.

“The car was on rails through (turns) 1 and 2, and all of a sudden it just got up into the marbles, and it was gone,” Rahal said. “Thank God we’ve got such safe cars.”

The following season, Fernadez went back-to-back and won again at Motegi. The track remained on the CART schedule until 2002.

In 2003, Honda switched their alliance to the Indy Racing Leauge, and Motegi followed suit.

The track continued to host IndyCar racing until 2011 with the final race being held on the facility’s 2.98-mile road course, as the oval sustained damage in the Tōhoku earthquake earlier that year.

Also on this date:

1976: Clay Regazzoni won the United States Grand Prix – West, Formula One’s first race on the Long Beach street circuit. The Grand Prix would become an IndyCar event following the 1983 edition of the race.

1993: Ayrton Senna won his home race, the Grand Prix of Brazil, for the second and final time of his career. The victory was also the 100th in F1 for McLaren.

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