“NASCAR requires new air deflector on the right side of cars after Corey LaJoie’s flip.”
NASCAR is introducing a new right-side rear-window air deflector after Corey LaJoie’s car flipped during the Michigan Cup Series race on Monday. This rule will take effect starting Saturday at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
According to NASCAR, “After wind-tunnel tests this week, we found that the new component for the Next Gen car increases the car’s liftoff speed during the early stages of a spin, reducing the chances of it going airborne.” The organization will provide the part, which will be similar to the one on the left-side rear window.
LaJoie’s No. 7 car flipped after colliding with Noah Gragson late in the FireKeepers Casino 400. On his Stacking Pennies podcast, LaJoie shared that he’s okay but frustrated with the season.
“I’ve been asked by about 3,000 people if I’m okay, and I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine,” LaJoie said. “I’m more frustrated with how the year’s been going. I’m sore, but more upset that we had a really good car and still didn’t get the results we wanted.”
LaJoie also described his experience during the flip, saying he initially tried to keep control of the car, but as it lifted off, he realized he was airborne. He mentioned dust, dirt, and sparks hitting his face because his visor was open, and he quickly closed it. After hitting the wall upside down, he grabbed his seatbelts as the car slowed down on the grass, with a clump of grass landing in his lap.
