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NASCAR's experiment with the rear wing, a sight some fans considered unholy as races finish under caution, will end after this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.

A new era will begin March 28 at Martinsville Speedway, where a spoiler will replace the obtrusive rear wing. NASCAR confirmed the change Tuesday.

Treated like an outcast from the start, the new car grudgingly gained more acceptance from fans than the rear wing. Sticking out from the trunk area, the rear wing never earned much tolerance from fans who hated its looks and from drivers who hated that it blocked their view.

"Bringing the spoiler back is right," Kevin Harvick said. "The cars just look right with the spoiler on there. NASCAR fans don't like wings, and if you want to watch something with a wing, they watch Indy car racing.

"There's no reason the wing should have ever been on there."

Said Martin Truex Jr. of the spoiler: "My first reaction was ... iit looks better."

Kyle Busch called the switch a "change for the betterment of the sport," although he admitted it won't have much impact on the racing at Martinsville where aerodynamics matter little compared to bigger tracks such as Texas, Charlotte and Atlanta.

Replacing the rear wing is a spoiler that will be 64.5 inches wide, 4 inches tall and positioned at a 70-degree angle. To any race fan, that could become the perfect measurement. As long as it provides the close racing NASCAR promises.

IT'S A BOY: Jeff Gordon announced that his wife Ingrid is due to have a boy. The child will be the couple's second and is due this summer. Daughter Ella was born in June 2007.

"There's no doubt we were rooting for a boy," Gordon said. "For us, the ultimate would be to have a boy and a girl. We want two and we want both. The most important thing is for a healthy boy. We were going to be totally content and fine and stop at two no matter what, even if it was a girl."

DRIVER CHANGES: David Stremme is listed as the driver of the No. 26 car this weekend at Bristol in place of Boris Said. Also, Michael Waltrip is listed in the No. 55 car in place of Michael McDowell this weekend.

PIT STOPS: Cup drivers again will be introduced before Sunday's race at Bristol with music they select. Jeff Burton will be introduced to the tune of "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N Roses. Teammate Clint Bowyer chose "Burning Love" by Elvis Presley, and Harvick selected "Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)" by Limp Bizkit.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com