NASCAR Updates Next-Gen Cars for Safety

NASCAR has announced a series of aerodynamic changes to the Next-Gen cars ahead of the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway to prevent cars from going airborne, following several recent incidents. The updates include adding a rocker skirt, extending the right-side roof rails by two inches with polycarbonate, and inserting fabric underneath the right-side roof flap. These measures aim to increase the liftoff speed and keep the cars grounded during high-speed crashes. Drivers like Josh Berry, Michael McDowell, and Corey LaJoie have experienced flips and airborne incidents at recent races in Daytona and Michigan, prompting NASCAR to take these actions. Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin also suggested reducing drag and engine horsepower as further steps to improve safety and racing quality. The changes will be tested during the Cup Series Playoff race this Sunday.