Photo – Tom Pennington/Getty Images

It’s no secret that up to this point of the season, NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have been unhappy with the current rules package for their cars. The new aerodynamics package for the 2015 has produced sub par racing for several drivers and they have no fear in expressing to NASCAR their desire for change.

The first evidence of the unhappiness from the drivers began when we learned of the newly formed, ‘Driver’s Council’ as reported in early June. Drivers include but are not limited to, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin.

The new package NASCAR announced this week, will début at Kentucky Speedway, and it’s a reasonable to surmise, that new packaged stemmed from concerns expressed by the ‘Driver’s Council.’

According to (Steve) O’Donnell, the spoiler height is lower from 6 inches to 3½ inches and the splitter extension panel (radiator pan) is down from 38 inches to 25 inches. Additionally, the splitter will have 1¾ inches less overhang than the current splitter.

With the current package, including a reduction in horsepower, drivers stay on-throttle much more through the turns, and the aero changes have not done enough to take away the advantage the leader has enjoyed while in clean air.

The idea of the new rules package Sprint Cup drivers will use at Kentucky is to take away the leader advantage, and give drivers throughout the field more of a chance to challenge for every position, especially the lead.

Taking downforce away could result in more off-throttle time for drivers in the turns as the cars will be less stable, and potentially lessen the aero advantage enjoyed by the leader.

There are several take-aways from this newly imposed proposition from both a commentary and integrity standpoint.

Personally, I feel that the racing has been a bit dull compared to last year and that track position and being out front have given an outrageous advantage this season, compared to years past. Compare the first 15 races of last year and this year.  Last year there were 64,611, green flag passes considerably better than this year’s 60,922 green flag passes.

Honestly, I think the rules package would stay the same had the ‘Driver’s Council’ not spoke up about their concerns.

I applaud not only the drivers for speaking up, but NASCAR for listening and crediting the drivers comments and their reason to make changes. In my opinion, this is a major step for the sport with the executives and drivers collaborating and working together.

Now from an integrity standpoint is this a problem?

Essentially NASCAR is changing the rules for a race and who knows which drivers may or may not benefit.

I believe there is no integrity issue, because NASCAR is trying to find a middle ground between the old and new package, so they can find a perfect balance. Although there is a slim chance for a surprise winner I feel this package will benefit the drivers who have excelled both this year and last. On the other side of the integrity issue there is definitely an argument that NASCAR is changing the rules for maybe a select few of drivers in the sport.

To counter that argument, I say, is it not more important to perfect the sport for the long-term over a short-term lapse? The rule change will really help the sport decide where it wants to go in terms of the new package, which will help perfect the racing excitement for fans.

This is huge for NASCAR to throw in a new rules package in the middle of season and I’m guess fans will see a major benefit in the future.

Look for the new rules package to début in Kentucky on Saturday, July 11th.