NASCAR has announced a multi-faceted rules package for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.

The rules package for Speedweeks and the 61st annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17 will remain the same as past years with the use of a restrictor plate and tapered spacer to reduce the amount of air flow into the engine. The 2019 rules package will be implemented for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on July 6 where cars will utilize only a smaller tapered spacer to restrict air flow into the engine, negating the need for a restrictor plate, which was first introduced in 1987.

Cars will be producing 550 horsepower with the 2019 rules package at Daytona International Speedway, an estimated increase of 140 horsepower, but will continue to turn laps around the 2.5-mile tri-oval at speeds near 200 mph. As a result, the machines will have more horsepower and more maneuverability, along with more downforce and stability to provide even more passing opportunities throughout the field.

“Both races at Daytona International Speedway in 2019 will continue to be among the most exciting in NASCAR,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. “The new rules package will produce the same thrilling style of racing that fans have come to expect at the ‘World Center of Racing.’ We have been using the combination of a tapered spacer and restrictor plate at Daytona International Speedway for the past couple of years to reduce air flow into the engine. NASCAR has made the tapered spacer package more efficient which, in turn, has allowed the teams to eliminate the need for a restrictor plate but still maintain the world-class, side-by-side racing that our fans have come to expect when they experience a race at Daytona.”