Hamlin: Consensus led to aero changes

Denny Hamlin said NASCAR’s latest tweaks to the aerodynamic rules package came out of a joint interest among drivers, owners and the sanctioning body to reduce corner speeds.

Hamlin, speaking Monday in a teleconference, said everyone was trying to achieve the same goals.

“We’ve got to slow these cars down,” Hamlin said. “All groups recognize that. We’re trying to do it in the most cost-effective way for the race teams. This is something that’s been going on for quite a while, just continued effort to give the fans the best racing on track as possible.”

Hamlin indicated teams had made gains to get some of the downforce back that was taken off of the cars at the start of the season — and they’ll continue to do so. That means NASCAR needs to keep working to reduce the downforce and stay ahead of the trend to ensure good racing.

In addition, an adjustment to the rear skew will reduce the sideforce for Saturday night’s AllStar Race.

“We’ve come up with a great package, but we just can’t settle with that,” Hamlin said. “Let’s just keep trying to get more. That’s what we’re doing this weekend.”

Another change — removing brake-cooling fans — will help lower downforce. That adjustment will debut during Saturday’s race and be in place for the rest of the season.

“Anytime you slow the speeds down, racing will always be better,” Hamlin said. “I look forward to it.”