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One-time NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Busch says that the increasing use of restrictor plates in the series means he must adapt or considering quitting.
The Charlotte All-Star race will use a new aero package that includes revised front air ducts, a larger rear spoiler, restrictor plates and a reversion to a splitter that was part of a regulatory overhaul to improve racing back in 2014.
The aero package was used in the second tier Xfinity series at Indianapolis last year ahead of a larger rollout in 2018, having won praise for creating an exciting race.
But Joe Gibbs Racing’s Busch has made it clear he is not a fan of what could become future regulations for the Cup series.
When asked if he expected restrictor-plate racing to become more common considering the All-Star race’s aero package, he said: “I can certainly see it [used more].
“It’s not necessarily what I signed up for, to bring the whole field closer together and have it dictated by some type of plate race.
“But if that’s what we’re going to have going forward, then I guess I either need to think about how to get really good at it or getting out of it, so we’ll see what happens.”
Rain has heavily disrupted an attempt at a clear practice session at Charlotte, with no more than five laps at speed undertaken by any drivers.
Busch had failed to complete a single full-speed lap, but said unknowns heading into the weekend are something he hopes to take advantage of.
“You’re kind of optimistic about it a little bit, but it’s also hesitant,” he said.
“The biggest thing for me, and what I try to tend to look at to prepare for, is just the unknowns.
“A lot of times, my guys give me really good cars and we’re able to unload and we’re able to know what to expect right away and we’re pretty well prepared.
“Other guys kind of catch up, if you will, as practice goes along.
“I look at it as though it’s an opportunity for us or if we’re the guys that aren’t ready, as ready as we think we are off the truck, then we got a problem.”
Toyota driver Busch leads the Cup series by 12 points over Penske’s Joey Logano in a season that has been dominated by Ford cars, which have won seven of the 12 races to date.