New Qualifying Format For NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Highlights 2013 Competition Changes
Rule Places Greater Emphasis On Speed
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2012)
– NASCAR today announced a number of competition changes for the 2013
season, highlighted by a new qualifying format in the NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series that places a greater emphasis on speed.
Below is a breakdown of next season’s slate of competition updates…
Qualifying Format In The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
In
NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, the series will move to a 36-6-1 format
where the fastest 36 cars will make the race on speed.
The
next six highest ranking cars in owners points that have not already
earned a starting position through qualifying and who have entered the
event by the posted entry deadline will also make the field. The final
starting position will be awarded to the most recent eligible past
champion driver. If there is no eligible past champion driver, then a
seventh car will make the field based upon owners’ points.
Provisional positions in the 36-6-1 format will be lined up by owners’ points, not speed.
Since
2005, the top 35 cars in owners’ points were guaranteed a spot in the
field. Now, only a maximum of seven cars will be locked into a given
race.
“This
is a big win for our fans,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president
of competition. “They’ll see the fastest cars earn their starting
spots. This change adds intrigue, drama and excitement to qualifying.”
In
2013, the qualifying order for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events will
return to a random draw. However, in the event qualifying is canceled
due to rain, the field will be set per the rule book and the starting
lineup will continue to be determined by practice speeds.
Additionally,
provisional positions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be based upon the previous year’s
owner points for the first three races, as opposed to the first
five races in previous years for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the NASCAR
Nationwide Series, and four races for the NASCAR Camping World Truck
Series.
Testing Policy Opened Up For 2013
Beginning
next season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, there will be up to four
tests per organization available to teams at tracks at which the series
competes. Since 2009, teams could only test at tracks that did not hold
NASCAR national series events.
“We
feel like it’s time to open that up and allow the teams to manage their
testing and get back to facilities that host our events,” said
Pemberton. “We made the decision at the end of 2008 to restrict testing,
primarily for economic reasons. Now we believe it will be best for the
garage and for the tracks to have some testing return in 2013.”
For
the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, starting
in 2013, there will be up to two tests per organization at tracks where
those series compete. If the organization has an official Sunoco Rookie
of Year candidate, then that team will receive one additional test.
Additionally, NASCAR will open track activity early for extended
practice at two additional events per series, to be determined.
Maximum Field Set At 40 Cars For NASCAR Nationwide Series
In
an effort to strengthen the ownership base up and create a sense of
urgency among teams to make races, the maximum starting field for the
NASCAR Nationwide Series will be set at 40, as opposed to the 43-car
field in previous years.
A
maximum NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting field will remain at 43 cars
while the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will hold steady at 36.
