jackref's Nascar news and notes

What was rumored last weekend became official Tuesday, when NASCAR announced it will run a new, low downforce aero package and softer tire at Kentucky Speedway next month.

Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's executive vice president & chief racing development officer, made the announcement during a 4 p.m. ET teleconference with the national media.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is off this weekend and its next two races are on the Sonoma Raceway road course and then at Daytona International Speedway over the Fourth of July weekend. Kentucky Speedway hosts the Quaker State 400 on July 11, which is the next race on a 1.5-mile track.

According to O'Donnell, the major changes for the Kentucky aero package will include a smaller rear spoiler, which will reduce aerodynamic downforce.

Throughout the 2015 season, the leader in races at 1.0-2.0-mile ovals has had a consistent advantage over the second-place car because of aerodynamics. The car in the lead gets more air on its nose, allowing it to turn better.

This was most apparent in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race last month when second-place Kevin Harvick had the fastest car in the race and rapidly ran down leader Denny Hamlin in the final segment. But when Harvick caught Hamlin, his progress stalled and the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Hamlin held on to win with a slower car.

Last weekend at Michigan International Speedway, several top drivers lauded NASCAR for its willingness to try the new package.

"At some point NASCAR is trying to get out in front of that and that is their job, to keep the racing as good as it can be," said 2012 series champion Brad Keselowski. "... To me it is a good sign to see them trying to do just that."

Kasey Kahne, the Michigan pole winner, was one of the drivers who has tested a package similar to what will be used at Kentucky, and he's enthusiastic about it.

"I really liked it," Kahne said of the new aero package. "I ran by myself and felt like it was the first time I could really drive the car, control the car, lift and do things to make the car work, rather than just run super-hard all the time like what we are doing."

"I'm looking forward to it, actually," added Martin Truex Jr. "I think it'll be fun."

Sometimes I think things happen solely for the enjoyment of this board.  I mean, how, when you think about it, but............

Congrats KS.  Very humble.  

I was trying to keep this on the down low but thanks fellas. It's always been a dream of mine.

I didn't read the story, was it a Midget Car race?

What up, kesha?!

Angel was not the word I wanted to use.

What an inspiration she is. If I had a daughter, a Danica Patrick poster would be up on her wall.

The Ward family just filed a wrongful death suit against Tony Stewart, think the timing had anything to do with it?

I bet not.

Stewart-Haas Racing driver Danica Patrick will have a press conference at 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the team announced Sunday in a press release.

The event will also be live streamed on NASCAR.com. See the link above to bookmark the location.

Through 23 races this season, Patrick has two top-10s in her No. 10 Chevrolet. Earlier this year, she earned her sixth career top-10 finish, the most by a female driver in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history.