NASCAR officials announced the rules package for the 2018 season, and while there aren't any major changes like when the stages were added, there are still a few mechanical changes.
ESPN NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass tweeted a list of the rules, which included the elimination of mandatory rear shocks and springs and the elimination of ride heights.
According to NASCAR, these are the main points in 2018 rules released today .. . pic.twitter.com/jsDWRieQB7
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 3, 2017
Teams must also compete in 2018 in at least 13 races with a short block sealed engine. The single engine rule will also be enforced, and backup vehicles have to be unloaded without an engine installed. Here's a short video from NASCAR detailing some of the technical and mechanical changes.
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Gene Stefanyshyn, the NASCAR senior vice president of innovation and racing development, said there won't be many changes to racing for 2018, and he said they'd re-evaluate things for the 2019 season.
"I would say it's not going to be as big of a departure as things we've done in the past," Stefanyshyn said. "We're moving into a world where get into more mechanical grip and how that becomes more important."
He said it's NASCAR's job to continue to ensure that it's a successful sport, and that the necessary changes are made to help the competitiveness of the sport moving forward. It's also important to keep fans engaged, and he said he feels like recent changes have helped with that.
There weren't any widespread changes for next season, but it is possible that something more major is changed after next season.