Changes under the scope as Daytona approaches.

The season-opening races of the various NASCAR series take place at Daytona International Speedway in just three weeks' time, and there will be several key competition changes under close scrutiny as the action begins.

Some of the changes will affect all three series - Nextel Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman trucks - while others are more specific to one or another.

In a move to enhance competition, spoiler heights will be adjusted for the Nextel Cup and Busch Series. With the exception of Daytona and Talladega - the two restrictor-plate tracks on the schedules - the spoiler heights will be reduced for all other tracks. The reduction in spoiler heights should result in a reduction in rear downforce and make cars less aero-dependent.

All 2004 models in the Nextel Cup Series, along with those from 2003, will require spoilers that are 5.5 inches in height, a decrease of three-quarters of an inch from the required height at the beginning of the 2003 season. The package for Daytona and Talladega will require spoilers 6.75 inches high, a half-inch increase from the beginning of the 2003 season. The increase at these two tracks should add more drag to the cars and decrease speeds.

The 2002 makes for Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge will be set at five inches, while Pontiac will enjoy a seven-eighth inch bonus. Each figure represents a three-quarter inch decrease on last season. At Daytona and Talladega, the 2002 Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge will be at 7.25 and Pontiac at 7.5 inches - a half-inch increase.

In the Busch Series, the spoilers for the 2004 Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford models will be at 5.75 inches, a quarter-inch less than 2003. At Talladega and Daytona, however, the spoilers for the new models will be set at 6.25 inches. For Chevrolet and Dodge, it will be a quarter-inch increase from 2003, while there is no change for the Fords.

The restrictor-plate size for Daytona and Talladega will be at 29/32 of an inch entering the 2004 season for both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series. At the outset of last season, the restrictor-plate size was seventh-eighths of an inch.

The most significant change in the system for the Nextel Cup and Busch Series will increase the number of cars that make the 43-car fields via qualifying times, raising the total from 36 to 38. The move reduces the amount of provisional starting positions assigned to a field from seven to five.

While the 'champions' provisional remains in place for the 43rd and final starting position when applicable, car owners in the top 45 positions of the 2003 owner championship standings will receive four provisionals at the outset of the season and will receive an additional one after attempting to qualify for six events for a season maximum of ten. The previous season maximum was eight.

Car owners not among the top 45, including new car owners, are ineligible for provisional starting positions until after they make an attempt to qualify at four events. After attempting to qualify for four events, the car owner will receive two provisional starting positions and additional ones can be earned for attempting to qualify for six events with a season maximum of eight. Previously, those outside the top 45 earned initial provisionals following their first attempt to qualify for a race.

Each provisional used by a car owner during the season - regardless of standing - counts against the owner's season allotment earned. Previously, the top 25 car owners were not charged for provisionals used after the fourth race of the season.

The provisional starting positions procedure for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is unchanged for 2004 season.

Testing regulations have also changed, and Nextel Cup and Busch Series teams will be permitted five two-day private car tests and four single-day tests for a total of 14 days at tracks that run their respective races in the 2004 season. Official rookies will be permitted seven two-day tests and five single-day tests for a total of 19 days.

New teams or those not among the top 45 in the 2003 owner points and/or in the top 45 of the current season's owner points will receive one two-day test and one single day for a total of three until they attempt to qualify for an event. Each time they attempt to qualify, these teams will receive another two-day/single day test package up to the maximum amount.

The three-day test sessions at NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway in January counted as a two-day test for all the teams, leaving them with eight overall - four two-day and four single day tests. Previously, each team was permitted five two-day tests and rookies received nine two-day tests. Teams are free to test at tracks that do not run events in their respective series and those tests do not count against their allotment.

For the Craftsman Truck Series, all manufacturers will be allotted two two-day test sessions at a track of their choice, provided the track hosts a series event. Also, each team will be allotted two private, two-day tests - thus increasing the maximum number of test days to eight. Those tests must be at a track on the series schedule, provided all series races at that track have been held. NASCAR Preseason Thunder does not count against NASCAR Craftsman Truck teams' allotment. The new testing guidelines should contain costs for teams as well as make the programme more valuable.

Goodyear, the official supplier of tyres to the various series, and NASCAR have been working together to enhance the competition in all three national series for 2004. Goodyear is working on producing different compounds for several different tracks, which should provide a more consistent wear while maintaining surface grip. In the Craftsman Truck Series, the teams will shift from the Goodyear Eagle to the similar Goodyear Wrangler, beginning this season.

Sunoco, the world's largest manufacturer of premium racing gasoline, steps in as the 'official fuel of NASCAR' and will provide fuel to all competitors in the all three national series, beginning with the 2004 season, and replaces the Conoco Phillips' Unocal '76' brand.

Fuel filler cans will be increased by one gallon in capacity size, moving from eleven-gallon cans to twelve in all three national series. An average fuel cell can hold approximately 22 gallons of fuel.

All ignition boxes for vehicles in all three national series will be mounted on the right side of the dash, rather than below as in previous years. The move will assist in the
inspection process.

The Craftsman Truck Series will feature four new styles, including the new 2004 Tundra entry for Toyota. Also sporting new bodies are returning manufacturers Dodge (Ram 1500), Ford (F150) and Chevrolet (C1500 Silverado).

While the Nextel Cup Series and Busch Series will continue with its 32-template package (18 aero-matched and 14 designed for the specific manufacturer), the Craftsman Truck Series will increase its template total from 24 to 28, 22 of which are aero-matched.

The installation of the walls at different tracks will continue through 2004. Phoenix announced prior to the season that it will join Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, New Hampshire International Speedway and Richmond International Raceway in utilising the safety technology on the outer walls. Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, barring any unforeseen circumstances, have indicated plans to install the walls this season. Daytona is
planning to have the system in place for its July event while Talladega is targeting its April race.

Finally, pit-road officials in all three national series will use hand signals to indicate to all if a team commits one of the five most common infractions. The infractions
will include pitting out of the box, non-compliant refuelling, too many men over the wall - or over the wall too soon - and removing equipment. The officials will also have signals for the category of penalty - driver, team, equipment - and severity of the penalty - ranging from 15secs through one lap, drive-through, going to the tail of the longest line to stop-and-go.