The Cup Series cars will have new parts this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway as NASCAR responds to flips that have occurred in previous races.
According to a bulletin from the sanctioning body, the cars will feature multiple changes to the aero package. The first addition is a metal rocker skirt at the bottom of the car. The second change is extending the right side roof rails by two inches with polycarbonate.
The third change for Talladega is adding right-side roof flap fabric that can help work as a "parachute" during incidents. NASCAR will supply all of the parts to the teams as they prepare for Sunday afternoon's race.
Photo credit: NASCAR
These changes were not the only ones considered as NASCAR tries to eliminate the flips at high-speed tracks. A drivers meeting at Kansas Speedway featured a proposed change where the shark fin on the rear windshield would extend across the car and onto the right side of the windshield.
The drivers had concerns about reduced visibility with the fin taking up space on the windshield, so NASCAR sought a different solution.
Multiple cars have flipped during this season's schedule of races. Josh Berry's No. 4 Ford Mustang flipped at Daytona and slid across the track on its roof.
Photo credit: NASCAR
Michael McDowell's No. 34 Ford Mustang began to flip after contact from Joey Logano's No. 22 Ford Mustang. McDowell was in the air for several seconds, but his car ultimately landed on its tires after hitting the wall and Alex Bowman's No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro.
Flips have not been limited to the superspeedways. Corey LaJoie -- then the driver of the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro -- spun and flipped at Michigan International Speedway. This was the first non-superspeedway flip in a Cup Series race since Brad Keselowski at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2010.
The LaJoie flip, which the driver showed through an in-car camera, prompted NASCAR to add the second deflector on the rear of the Cup Series cars. This did not prevent the incidents at Daytona, so NASCAR made more changes in further pursuit of safety.
Talladega will be the first test for the updated aero package as the Cup Series drivers return to NASCAR's biggest track. NBC will provide coverage for the playoff race at 2 p.m. ET.