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NASCAR teams face uncertainty with new Daytona package ahead of race

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 27, 2026, 8:00 PM

Last updated Aug 27, 2026

NASCAR teams face uncertainty with new Daytona package ahead of race

Summary

As NASCAR prepares for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday at Daytona, teams face uncertainty with a new car package that lacks practice sessions. With changes such as a reduced rear spoiler and decreased horsepower, crew chiefs and drivers are unsure how these adjustments will impact handling and racing dynamics. Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 crew chief Adam Stevens indicated it could lead to 'total chaos,' while Denny Hamlin anticipates a challenging yet potentially exciting race. Daniel Suarez echoed that no one truly knows how the race will play out. The absence of practice means teams must rely on adaptability during the event.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports Motorsport.com

Key Details

•New car package features shorter rear spoilers and reduced horsepower.
•No practice sessions for drivers prior to the race at Daytona.
•Crew chiefs express concern about handling and safety at Turn 1.
•Drivers anticipate both chaotic racing and potential for increased passing.
•Denny Hamlin believes adapted strategies could lead to favorable outcomes.

Latest Updates

8:00 PMYahoo Sports — New package Daytona is a complete unknown for NASCAR Cup teams
8:00 PMMotorsport.com — New package Daytona is a complete unknown for NASCAR Cup teams

What they're saying

"
When Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 crew chief Adam Stevens sends out driver Christopher Bell for the start of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday at Daytona, he will have no idea what to expect, nor any idea of where his driver should run approaching Turn 1. Everything is a virtual unknown. “This is going to be total chaos and calamity,” Stevens told Motorsport.com after the race at New ...Keep reading
— Motorsport.com