Restrictor Plates Could Be Used in Monster Energy All-Star Race

Jerry Markland/Getty Images

The annual All-Star race has been a way for NASCAR to test out different things for the future of the sport including the option tires last year, stage racing, and many others. It gives NASCAR an oppurtunity to test out things in an atmosphere that isn't bound down by points or anything. Sadly, that has resulted in some sub-par races recently and the fans have been vocal about it as of late. This year some members of the NASCAR community have rumored that the series will roll out a restrictor plate much like they used at Indianapolis and Michigan last season in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The move is an effort to improve the on-track product, which has been a common complaint on social media outlets from the fans. TJ Majors and Brett Griffin, spotters in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, revealed during the "Door, Bumper, Clear" podcast that this will be the case for this years All-Star event.

"It's gonna happen," said Brett Griffin. "There going to knock like 250 horsepower off. We're going to basically run the XFINITY package from Indy and Michigan last year. So I was told top speed will be around 170 mph. I don't know what they are trying to accomplish. If they are trying to accomplish pack racing at mile and a half's, you're getting ready to see a bunch of guys retire. Everybody over 35 years old will be like i've made my money and i've had my fun, i'm out."

The fact that the racing this season hasn't been up to par is certainly concerning to NASCAR and that is why they will use an exhibition race to test it out. It just happens that the All-Star race is the only exhibition race off of a restrictor plate track that NASCAR can use to test new things out without it affecting any points or regular season stats.

The two also disscussed a few other topics during the show, if you'd like to lisen to the remainder of the podcast and other Dirty Mo Radio shows press here. Only time will tell on whether or not this will work or even officially happen but keep it tuned to The Motorsports News Source for any updates as we inch closer and closer to the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race.(Koelle,2018)