NASCAR officials decided against using a tapered spacer that would have limited the air flow in the Sprint Cup engines and reduced horsepower from about 850 to at least 750 and possibly lower.

The changes that were announced are for all tracks except Daytona and Talladega, where NASCAR will continue to restrict air flow with plates and use a different aerodynamic package. NASCAR, in looking for ways to enhance the ability of Sprint Cup cars to pass on predominately 1.5-mile and 2-mile tracks, has spent the last few months considering whether to restrict the horsepower in the way it does for the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. That option, though, wasn’t advocated by many of the drivers and teams, and after a test Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR apparently didn’t see enough of a difference to implement that change.

NASCAR Vice President Gene Stefanyshyn indicated that NASCAR will reconsider using the tapered spacer in 2015 but didn't feel comfortable making the change just a couple of months before the 2014 season begins.

"This is definitely something that we are entertaining for '15, but we want to take a more holistic approach to when we solve it," Stefanyshyn said. "We'd like to be able to do perhaps three things at once, and we think come up with a more robust solution that can serve us better in the longer run. So this is something I think we are going to definitely look at for '15."

Instead of reducing horsepower, NASCAR will increase front downforce by increasing the size of the radiator pan from 38 inches-by-13 inches to 43-by-13. It will increase rear downforce with an 8-inch spoiler, which is bigger than the 7.25-inch spoiler used last year but smaller than the 9-inch spoiler used during portions of the test Wednesday. The top two inches of the spoiler will be made of Lexan, which is clear and allow for better visibility.

NASCAR also will eliminate minimum front heights of the cars, which will alleviate teams manipulating shocks and springs just so they meet minimums in the tech bay only to be lower to the ground when actually racing. Teams also had relied on bump spots — pieces of rubber in the shocks — to help with the balance of the car to go faster in the turns.

NASCAR also has changed the splitter from a rounded edge to a square edge, required the side skirts to be slightly lower (4-inch ground clearance instead 4.5 to 5 inches depending on the side of the car) and also adjusted the rear fascia to be 1.375 inches higher. The cars likely could go faster with this configuration, although NASCAR will adjust the gear rule to keep the cars at a maximum of 9300-9400 rpm.

"We did play with downforce on the car, the amount, and we did play with the balance of front to rear," Stefanyshyn said. "For '15 we'll try some other things. … Now we will be having heavier springs in the front end, which will enable the teams to essentially be not running on the bump stops or having the whole vehicle totally loaded on the suspension system. We'll have some dampening between the mass of the body and the suspension which will give them more mechanical grip.

"What this should translate into is a car which feels more stable and predictable. The drivers feel very good about the car. But they do indicate that sometimes when they get into heavy traffic, the car does get a bit unpredictable and less stable. So we're hoping that this will in fact provide the drivers with more confidence in these type of very, let's say, congested environments to drive harder and be willing to pass."

BOBBY LABONTE LANDS 500 RIDE

Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Cup champion who does not have a full-time ride for the 2014 season, will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a second Phoenix Racing car.

Phoenix Racing, recently purchased by Harry Scott from long-time owner James Finch, will field one full-time car in 2014, with Justin Allgaier expected to be behind the wheel. A second car will run an undetermined number of races, starting with Labonte for the Daytona 500. A car number, crew chief and sponsor were not announced.

"I am grateful and excited to return to Daytona with Phoenix Racing," Labonte said in a news release. "The Daytona 500 is obviously a special event for everyone involved in the sport. I can't wait to get back in the car for my 22nd Daytona 500."

The 49-year-old Labonte, who has driven for JTG Daugherty Racing the last three seasons and has 21 career Cup victories in 718 career starts, won't be guaranteed a spot in the field, although he will be eligible to use a past champion's provisional if he is slow in single-lap qualifying and then does not finish high enough in the Daytona 500 qualifying races. Brad Keselowski (14th in owner points), Tony Stewart (18th in owner points) and Kurt Busch (no owner points/new Stewart-Haas Racing team) would have to earn their spots based on qualifying speed, the qualifying races or by owners points for Labonte to get the past champion's provisional.

Finch put Labonte in a Phoenix Racing car last June when Labonte was first yanked from JTG Daugherty Racing for select races. It was Finch who wanted to put Labonte in a second Phoenix car for the Daytona 500 and made a deal with his former team to make it happen.

"I'm thrilled to be headed back to Daytona with Bobby Labonte," Finch said. "I thank Harry Scott for this opportunity. He knew I would have to be weaned off racing, I can't quit cold turkey."

Contributor: Bob Pockrass