NASCAR Expands Concussion Protocol

 NASCAR Expands Concussion Protocol

New features include consistent screening tool, additional neurological support

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2017) – NASCAR today announced updates to its concussion protocol for competitors, adding a consistent screening tool for all venues and increasing available neurological support for race event weekends through its new partnership with AMR.

 "NASCAR has worked very closely with the industry to ensure our concussion protocol reflects emerging best practices in this rapidly developing area of sports medicine," said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. "We will continue to utilize relationships we’ve had for years with leaders in the neurological research field who helped to shape these updates."

NASCAR’s protocol now includes:

-         As part of the new rule regarding damaged vehicles, a driver whose car sustains damage from an accident or contact of any kind and goes behind the pit wall or to the garage is required to visit the Infield Care Center to be evaluated.

-         The medical portion of NASCAR’s Event Standards now require that Infield Care Center physicians incorporate the SCAT-3 diagnostic tool in screening for head injuries.

-         AMR will provide on-site neurological consultative support at select NASCAR events during the 2017 season and will work directly with NASCAR in the continued development of concussion protocol.

The new protocol goes into effect immediately for all NASCAR national series.

NASCAR FORMAT CHANGE 1/2017

In a dramatic turn from the traditional style of racing, for which NASCAR has been famous since its inception in 1948, NASCAR has changed their racing format to attract a new crowd of television viewers.
The new race format is being intended to deliver moments that are more exciting over the entire race. This will cover the season with point incentives that some find confusing, leaving many of the long-time stalwarts of the sport mystified about all the point inclusions aiming toward one champion.
With the three segments, NASCAR will throw a caution flag at a predesigned lap to allow the television networks of FOX and NBC to focus more on the green flag coverage with commercial breaks during these segments, which will include full pit-stop coverage.  After sagging ratings of their sport, NASCAR felt a change needed to be made.
The new system will be in effect for all three NASCAR national series – the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Here’s a rundown of how it works:

• Races will now consist of three stages, with championship implications in each stage.
• At the end of the race (third segment), the winner will get 40 points, and then second through 35th will be awarded points on a 35-to-2 scale. Those finishing 36th to 40th will be awarded one point. There will be no bonus points for leading a lap or leading the most laps.
• The winner of the first two stages of each race will receive one playoff point, and the race winner will receive five playoff points. Each playoff point will be added to their reset total following race No. 26, if that competitor makes the playoffs. Drivers will now carry bonus points – called “playoff points” – throughout the entire playoffs (instead of just the first round) when the points are reset.  Drivers will earn five playoff points for every race win and one playoff point for every segment win.
• The top-10 finishers of the first two stages will be awarded additional championship points in a declining order of 10-9-8-down to one.
• NASCAR also announced a playoff bonus structure that will see the regular season points leader honored as the regular season champion, earning 15 playoff points that will be added to the driver’s playoff reset of 2,000.

The top-10 drivers in the standings in the regular season also earn additional playoff points on a 15-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale.  Drivers will continue to accumulate points throughout the playoffs and carry all the points earned during the year into each of the first three-playoff rounds, with the Championship 4 racing straight up at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the title.

• Qualifying for the playoffs remains the same – the regular-season champion plus 15 drivers based on wins with ties broken by points will get into the playoffs, as long as they are in the top 30 in the standings.
• The playoffs will remain divided into three three-race rounds, with four drivers eliminated after each round to set up four finalists for the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Drivers automatically qualify into the next round with a win in that playoff round, and the remaining spots filled by the point standings. At Homestead, the top-finishing driver among the four finalists at the end of the race wins the title.
• The race purse will be paid at the final stage.
• The 150-mile qualifying races at Daytona will be worth points to the top-10 drivers on a 10-to-1 scale (just like a race segment), but the winners do not get bonus points for the playoffs.
• NASCAR won’t allow teams to replace body panels during a race, and teams will have additional limitations on crash repair that likely will mean most drivers who have to go to the garage won’t return for the remainder of the race.

2017 SITE TEST

2017 SITE TEST

Driver Participation Guidelines for 2017

NASCAR Updates Driver Participation Guidelines for 2017

New Guidelines Further Elevate Next Generation of Stars; Strengthen Series Identity

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 26, 2016) – In an announcement that will put an even brighter spotlight on the next generation of stars and bolster the identity of all three of its national series, NASCAR announced on Wednesday driver participation guidelines for the 2017 season. The new guidelines limit the number of events a premier series driver can race in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

 

Starting next season, premier series drivers with more than five years of full-time experience will be eligible to compete in a maximum of 10 races in the XFINITY Series and seven races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

 

Additionally, drivers with more than five years of full-time premier series experience will be ineligible to compete in the final eight races in each series, as well as the Dash 4 Cash races in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The final eight races are comprised of the regular season finale and the entirety of the Chase in each series.

 

Drivers earning premier series points in 2017 also are not eligible to compete in the 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship Races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

“The updated guidelines will elevate the stature of our future stars, while also providing them the opportunity to compete against the best in professional motorsports,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “These updated guidelines are the result of a collaborative effort involving the entire industry, and will ultimately better showcase the emerging stars of NASCAR.”

 

Drivers with more than five years of full-time experience in the premier series still can run for an XFINITY Series or Camping World Truck Series championship, provided they have declared for championship points in the respective series.

 

Wednesday’s announcement signals the next step in NASCAR’s driver participation guideline evolution. Prior to the 2016 season, NASCAR announced that members of the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field would be ineligible to compete in the 2016 Championship Race in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. In 2011, NASCAR implemented a rule requiring drivers to select one of the three national series in which to collect championship points.

 

NASCAR Updates Sprint Cup Series Race Eligibility

NASCAR Updates Sprint Cup Series Race Eligibility   

Chase Provisional Implemented for Open Teams

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 28, 2016) – NASCAR today announced updated procedures for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race eligibility and new provisional starting guidelines for races during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Starting with Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway (7:45 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), current year owner points will replace practice speeds for determining race eligibility and starting position in the event adverse conditions prevent Coors Light Pole qualifying from taking place. Starting in 2017, for the second and third events of the season, practice speeds for Open teams will remain the criteria used to determine race eligibility.

NASCAR also announced that Open teams that earn a berth in the Chase will be awarded a provisional starting position for every Chase race, guaranteeing those teams an opportunity to compete for the championship in NASCAR’s playoffs.

“These changes provide a more even competition field for both Charter and Open teams, rewarding strong performances over the course of a season,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president, racing operations. “Earning a berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is extremely difficult and requires consistent elite performance. Those teams should be guaranteed an opportunity to race for the title, and this ensures that will be the case.”

The creation of provisional starting positions for Open teams that earn a berth in the Chase has been discussed extensively with industry stakeholders.

The adverse conditions qualifying procedures remain unchanged for the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.   

New Rules Package Additions

New Rules Package Additions To Debut At Michigan/6/10/16

NASCAR will debut rules updates for this Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway and use them again in the July 9 contest at Kentucky Speedway. The rules package developments are part of an industry-wide collaboration to further enhance the racing.

Recently, welded truck trailing arms and new brake cooling rules were put into place. The following updates to the rules package will be added at Michigan and Kentucky to further reduce downforce and sideforce:

·         Reduce skew generated sideforce by setting rear toe to zero (same rule used in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race)

·         Aero package tweaks to reduce aero-generated downforce and sideforce

o    Spoiler shortened from 3.5 inches to 2.5 inches

o    Splitter reduced to 2 inches

o    Resize of deck fin to match spoiler

The current rules package has generated some of the closest racing in years through the first 14 races of 2016. Highlights include three races setting track records for green flag passes for the lead, as well as two races featuring the seventh-closest margin of victory in NSCS history (since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993).

NASCAR specifies penalties for behavioral issues

By Kenny Bruce | NASCAR.com | February 19, 2016at 07.20 PM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR has strengthened the way the sanctioning body deals with behavioral issues as it relates to member conduct, both on and off the race track, with updates to its current policy announced Friday.

"It's an effort by the sanctioning body to improve the level of transparency within the grounds of how competitors' actions are dealt with both on the track and off the track," Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations, said. "An evolution of the rules … to become more transparent to all participants involved, all stakeholders involved."

Cassidy said it was not an attempt to change the way drivers race.

"NASCAR is an aggressive sport," he said. "We understand the drivers are going to be aggressive to race for position. That is not going to change. That's a very significant point, it's spelled out in the rule and we understand that. 


"But we also understand that there are points in time when the competitors cross the line and they should have a better understanding of what exactly may transpire if it's determined they crossed the line."

NASCAR's current deterrence system dealing with competition issues rank infractions, from lowest (warnings) to Level P6 (most severe). That won't be the case under Member Conduct Guidelines outlined in the  2016 NASCAR Rule Book for all three National Series (Sprint Cup, XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series).

But the range of potential penalties does increase, depending on the severity of the action.

A confrontation that does not include physical violence, such as a simple shove, shouting match or "venting," could result in a meeting with officials, a warning or possibly probation.

Disparaging the sport and/or NASCAR's leadership, verbal abuse of an official, media member, fans, etc., or intentionally damaging another vehicle under yellow or red flag conditions or on pit road with no one around could result in a fine ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 and/or probation.

Actions more egregious could result in the loss of 25-50 championship driver and team owner points, in addition to increased fines and/or race suspensions or termination.

Those include physical confrontations with NASCAR officials, media members or fans, member-to-member confrontations with physical violence, attempting to manipulate the outcome of the race or championship and intentionally wrecking another vehicle.

An action such as "premeditatedly removing another competitor from competition in a dangerous manner when not racing for position based on the available evidence and specific circumstances of the incident" could result in a loss of 150-200 driver and owner points and/or a two-race suspension, indefinite suspension or termination.

Cassidy said the changes were not the result of any one specific incident, but "I would say what we have learned after talking to everybody is that everybody wants to understand more clearly where possible what potential ramifications can be in different scenarios.


"So this is an effort to go down that road," he said.

NASCAR FAST FACTS - 2016 Procedural Changes 2/2016

NASCAR FAST FACTS - 2016 Procedural Changes  2/2016

Maximum Field Sizes / Corresponding New Points Systems

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – Maximum 40-car field (36 Charter team cars, 4 Open team cars), race winner awarded 40 points, 40th place awarded one point.

NASCAR XFINITY Series – Maximum 40-car field, race winner awarded 40 points, 40th place awarded one point.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – Maximum 32-truck field, race winner awarded 32 points, 32nd place awarded one point

New points systems apply to driver, owner, and manufacturer championships. Existing 2015 Bonus points remain in place for 2016. 

Qualifying – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Daytona 500 Specific

-          Thirty-six Charter teams will be assigned a starting position

-          Four Open teams are eligible for starting positions

o    The highest finishing Open team in each Can-Am Duel race earns a starting position

o    The final two starting positions are awarded to Open teams based on Coors Light Pole Qualifying if not already a top finisher in a Duel race

-          Qualifying sets the front row for the Daytona 500 and the starting lineup for the Can-Am Duel fields, with the number of Charter team and Open team cars split evenly throughout both races

-          If qualifying is cancelled due to weather, the top two finishing Open teams from each Can-Am Duel race earn starting positions in the Daytona 500

-          If the second Can-Am Duel race is cancelled due to weather, the highest finishing Open team from the first race earns a starting position, with the other three Open teams determined by qualifying

-          If both Can-Am Duel races are cancelled due to weather, qualifying determines all four Open teams

-          If qualifying and both Can-Am Duel races are cancelled due to weather, the combined practice speeds are used to determine the four Open teams

-          If all on-track activity prior to the race is cancelled due to weather, 2015 Owner points will be used to determine the four Open teams

All Other Championship Race events

-          Thirty-six Charter teams will be assigned a starting position and four Open teams are eligible for starting positions.

-          Qualifying results will determine the Open team starting positions assuming the event is run as scheduled

-          If qualifying is cancelled due to weather, the combined practice speeds determine the four Open teams

-          If practice and qualifying are cancelled due to weather, Owner points determine the four Open teams (events 1-3 revert to 2015 Owner points)

NASCAR Overtime

For all three NASCAR national series, a race may be concluded with overtime, consisting of a new procedure for a green-white-checkered flag finish featuring an “overtime line.” The location of the overtime line will vary by track.

After taking the green on the overtime restart, if the leader then passes the overtime line on the first lap under green before a caution comes out (a “clean restart”), it will be considered a valid green-white-checkered attempt. However, if a caution comes out before the leader passes the overtime line on the first lap under green, it will not be considered a valid attempt, and a subsequent attempt will be made.  If necessary, multiple subsequent attempts will be made until a valid attempt occurs.

Once a valid attempt is achieved (clean restart), it will become the only attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.  If a caution comes out at any time during the valid green-white-checkered attempt, the field will be frozen and the checkered/yellow or checkered/red displayed to cars at the finish line.

NASCAR Implements Team Owner Charter Agreement

NASCAR Implements Team Owner Charter Agreement

for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

New Collaborative Business Model for Owners and Tracks Now in Place for 2016

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 9, 2016) – During a historic event held today in Charlotte, N.C., NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France joined with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owners to announce a landmark long-term agreement that provides teams with increased business certainty and the ability to work more closely with NASCAR to produce best-in-class racing.

In effect as the 2016 NASCAR season prepares to kick off this weekend, the new Charter system addresses three key areas – participation, governance and economics – to promote a more predictable, sustainable and valuable team business model. The agreement grants NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Charters to 36 teams, establishes a Team Owner Council that will have formal input into decisions, and provides Charter teams with new revenue opportunities including a greater interest in digital operations.

“Today represents a landmark change to the business model of team ownership in NASCAR,” France said. “The Charter agreements provide nine years of stability for NASCAR and the teams to focus on growth initiatives together with our track partners, auto manufacturers, drivers and sponsors. The Charters also are transferable, which will aid in the development of long-term enterprise value for Charter members.”

The system affords Charter teams that remain in good standing more predictable revenue over the nine years of the agreement. Along with improved financial certainty, the new framework is designed to increase the long-term market value of teams and provide the ability to plan farther ahead with existing, new and prospective partners.

Similar to the five-year sanctioning agreements that NASCAR begins with tracks in 2016, team owner Charter agreements allow for longer planning cycles around competition, innovation, digital marketing, governance and research and development.

“The new Charter program strengthens each of our businesses individually and the team model as a whole, which is good for NASCAR, our fans, drivers, sponsors and the thousands of people who we employ,” said Rob Kauffman, co-owner of Chip Ganassi Racing. “This will give us more stability and predictability, and it will allow us to take a more progressive, long-term approach to issues.

“NASCAR and the teams share a desire to preserve, promote and grow the sport and ultimately produce great racing for our fans and partners. These common goals served as the foundation for discussions and helped bring us to this unprecedented agreement. This is a great step forward for the entire sport made possible by Brian France setting a new course for the NASCAR industry and the owners coming together on shared issues. Everyone involved then compromised a bit to be able to come up with something that worked for all.”

Each Charter team owner has a guaranteed entry into the field of every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points race. To maintain the historical openness of NASCAR racing, the balance of the field will be open for team owners who do not hold Charters. These Open team owners will compete for the remaining starting spots and positions in the race, as each event in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ starting lineup shifts in 2016 to a 40-car field.

“The new team owner agreements will offer a more appealing environment for both current and prospective team owners at the NASCAR premier series level,” France said. “I’ve always stressed that if we can do things to improve the business of our stakeholders, we will pursue it. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished today with this agreement.”

NASCAR Charter teams

(Listed by historical inception of race team entity, then numerical)

2015 Car #	2016 Car #	Organization
43	43	Richard Petty Motorsports
9	44	Richard Petty Motorsports
3	3	Richard Childress Racing
27	27	Richard Childress Racing
31	31	Richard Childress Racing
2	2	Team Penske
22	22	Team Penske
5	5	Hendrick Motorsports
24	24	Hendrick Motorsports
48	48	Hendrick Motorsports
88	88	Hendrick Motorsports
6	6	Roush Fenway Racing
16	16	Roush Fenway Racing
17	17	Roush Fenway Racing
1	1	Chip Ganassi Racing
42	42	Chip Ganassi Racing
11	11	Joe Gibbs Racing
18	18	Joe Gibbs Racing
20	20	Joe Gibbs Racing
15	TBD	Michael Waltrip Racing
55	TBD	Michael Waltrip Racing
4	4	Stewart-Haas Racing
10	10	Stewart-Haas Racing
14	14	Stewart-Haas Racing
78	78	Furniture Row Racing
35	34	Front Row Motorsports
38	38	Front Row Motorsports
47	47	JTG Daugherty Racing
7	7	Tommy Baldwin Racing
13	13	Germain Racing
32	32	Go Fas Racing
23	23	BK Racing
83	83	BK Racing
62	62	Premium Motorsports
33	95	Circle Sport Racing
51	15	HScott Motorsports

The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season will kick off with the Sprint Unlimited on Saturday, Feb. 13 and the 58th running of the Daytona 500® on Sunday, Feb. 21 at Daytona International Speedway®. The Sprint Unlimited and the Great American Race® will be broadcast live on FOX, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.