For years, the only Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series restrictor-plate races have been held at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. In the not-so-distant future, that could change.
NASCAR is considering adding plate-style rules packages to races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Michigan International Speedway, NBC Sports reports. Restrictor plates will be used in an Xfinity Series race at IMS on July 22 and, if all goes well, could be used in the 2018 Brickyard 400.
Restrictor plates were used at IMS during an Xfinity Series test in 2016. The results of the test reportedly were strong enough to convince NASCAR to consider bringing plates to Cup races at the 2 1/2-mile track.
There are a variety of reasons why NASCAR would consider bringing plates to Indianapolis, with the primary motivator being attendance. Crowd size has been declining for 10 years at IMS, according to NBC Sports. The trend seemingly started after the infamous 2008 Brickyard 400, during which many drivers suffered tire issues.
A plate race at IMS would be yet another shakeup set for the 2018 season, which is when Speedway Motorsports Inc. plans to add a second Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, replacing the September race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Thumbnail photo via Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports Images
