[media-credit name=”Photo Credit: David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”239″]
[/media-credit]Let’s all take a moment and grasp the idea that, “yes NASCAR does listen”. That does not always mean that they react or react correctly. But they are listening.
NASCAR has announced some changes for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS), NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) starting in 2013.
In the NSCS, qualifying will be under what they are now calling the “36-6-1” format. Which just mean that 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 spot will be the most recent eligible past champion. If there is no eligible past champion, then a seventh car will make the field based upon owners’ points.
This makes qualifying so much more important to each and every team. No more locked in positions if you are in the top-35 in owners points. This pretty much equals the ground so to speak for new and old teams, but yet still recognizes the top 6-7 teams along with our past champions. Additionally for the first three races in 2013, in all three series, the events will be based upon the previous year’s owner points instead of the first five.
And to add to all of this, NASCAR has finally adding testing back to the NSCS in 2013. NASCAR will allow up to four tests per organization at tracks at which the series competes. This should also help new and old teams better prepare for certain tracks and any changes that may come.
In the NNS and NCWTS there will be up to two tests per organization at tracks where those series’ compete. NASCAR will allow one more test for those teams that have an official Sunoco Rookie of Year candidate.
The NNS will now only feature 40 cars. This will also make qualifying so much more important with three less starting spots. Good thing, bad thing? This could be good for NNS teams but also bad at tracks in which a lot of NSCS regulars also are competing. This could limit the actual number of full-time NNS drivers competing at some events.
The fields for the NSCS will remain at 43 and will remain at 36 for the NCWTS.
No changes noted yet for the restrictor plate races. Hopefully NASCAR is also listening and will make changes for better racing, or should I say it best by saying “real racing” in 2013 at Daytona and Talladega.
The plate racing IS REAL RACING. Seeing guys conserve fuel all day is racing to you? That’s real life driving, not racing. Seeing guys 3 and 4 wide all day is racing, and is exciting. Tony “Fatty” Stewart, the hypocrite he is, is the one that caused the Big One at Talladega, not the actual RACING! It’s crazy watching the Sprint Cup guys actually CARE about racing instead of Points Racing….