A new era of closer and more intense NASCAR racing competition will begin when the green flag drops for the 2019 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

NASCAR today announced a new rules package for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars that will provide closer competition. The new package calls for a longer 2-inch splitter overhang at the front and a taller 8-inch spoiler at the rear of the car, as well as a radiator pan that is 37-inches at the front and tapered to 31-inches at the rear at all tracks in 2019.

Larger tracks on the circuit like Atlanta Motor Speedway will see additional changes; when the series returns to the 1.54-mile oval in 2019, the Monster Energy Cup Series cars will use a modified tapered spacer that the sanctioning body says will deliver an estimated 550 horsepower.

The February 24, 2019, Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 — the second race of the 2019 NASCAR season — will be the first time this exciting new racing package will be put to the test.

"Fans who love intense, close racing action have a real treat in store at the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500," Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark said. "With 40 of the nation's best drivers competing with this new rules package, we should see an unprecedented level of racing drama at Atlanta Motor Speedway."

The new specs are inspired by an experimental racing package that was used during NASCAR's 2018 All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That race featured thrilling three-wide passes and close quarters racing from the lead car to the rear of the field.

The Atlanta NASCAR Weekend features Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying on Friday, Feb. 22, the NASCAR XFINITY Series Rinnai 250 and NASCAR Gander Mountain Truck Series 200-mile race doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 23, and culminates with the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 24.

Tickets for the 2019 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 can be purchased by contacting Atlanta Motor Speedway at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX or by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.