NASCAR to implement aerodynamic changes ahead of Talladega playoff race

NASCAR will institute aerodynamic changes to all Cup Series cars ahead of Sunday’s Round of 12 playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway, the sanctioning body announced Tuesday.

Among the mandated additions will be an extended-height roof rail, an extended rocker panel skirt and fabric beneath the right-side roof flap. These combined efforts are intended to reduce the chances and effects of a vehicle getting airborne in the event of an on-track, high-speed incident on the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

MORE: Talladega schedule | Current Playoffs standings

The right-side roof rail will be a 2-inch fin made of polycarbonate, allowing air to deflect off its flat surface if the vehicle were to slide sideways. There will be two bevels to allow air to pass through and activate the roof flaps atop the vehicle, which open to help keep or set the car to the ground.

Beneath the right-side roof flap will be a fabric modified to fit the inboard edge of the flap that will function similarly to a parachute. The straight-edged side of the triangular-shaped fabric will be fastened to the roof flap itself, while the cut edge featuring a 7/8-inch divot will fasten to the vehicle’s greenhouse, the roof. The fabric will be bolted into the greenhouse to assure its functionality and stability.

Finally, the rocker box that sits beneath the center of the vehicle will receive an aluminum extension, eliminating space between the car’s floor and the ground beneath it. The extension, which must be painted black, will sit flat on the bottom of the rocker box.

The YellaWood 500 will run Sunday (2 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NBC Sports App) as the second race of the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.