The spring’s the thing

One answer to the issue Busch raised could come in the form of the removal of pre-race and post-race ride-height requirements.

With the current front suspension package, teams use lightweight springs made of special steel that doesn’t fatigue. Each spring can cost as much as $2,000.

“The purpose of the spring is essentially to get the car back to inspection height,” Stefanyshyn said. “But it’s really not a suspension spring. So essentially, today, the cars are riding around on the bump stops. So they’re running around on a very hard material.

“So if we put this spring in (after ride-height requirements are waived), which is a higher rate than the current spring we have, some of them will have the ability to ride on the spring instead of the bump stop. With that, what should happen is we should have more control in the car, and we’ll put less forces into the car, which should give a lot of drivers more stability and more confidence in driving the car.”

In theory, a more comfortable platform will allow drivers to race more aggressively. Hence, more passing. The change also will allow teams to use springs that cost $300-$400, though the exact same configuration used this season will continue to be allowed, if an organization so chooses.