on june 16, 2015, nascar announced a new aero package would be used for the 2015 race. the changes include a smaller rear spoiler and other adjustments that significantly reduced aerodynamic downforce. the spoiler was decreased to tall, there was also a wide splitter extension. in addition, tires supplied to goodyear provided drivers with more grip. "we want to see more load changes on the racetrack", nascar executive vice-president and chief racing development officer steve o'donnell said in a media teleconference, "we will evaluate and a number of factors coming out of kentucky, and see what we can learn and implement down the road". originally, the package was to be used at last year's all star race, but the plan was scrubbed and nascar opted to use the package for a points race. "let me be clear. this is not a test, this is a race" o'donnell said of the rules package will be in effect for the 18th round of the 2015 nascar sprint cup series. "we had an extensive testing plan with this industry over the past 18 months. we couldn't implement this if we didn't feel confident as an industry to implement it at kentucky.