Photo Credit: Mike Mercurio
On Tuesday, March 24th, NASCAR released a technical bulletin for the teams in regards to a series of updates for the Rule Book.
For Sprint Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Michigan International Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International, NASCAR as reduced the number of tire sets by one for each track. As a result, that will allow them 10 sets at Martinsville, nine sets at Dover, Michigan, Kentucky and Indianapolis, eight sets at Pocono, seven sets at New Hampshire, and five sets at Sonoma and Watkins Glen. By decreasing the total amount of sets by one, NASCAR is saving teams about $20,000 since a set of tires cost $1,900.
Also, for Talladega Daytona International Speedway, Sonoma and Bristol in August, they have reduced the amount of sets teams are allowed for practice and qualifying by one set. As a result, they will have four sets at Sonoma, Watkins Glen and Bristol, while having three sets at Talladega and Daytona. This rule measure will save teams $10,000.
There could be more bulletins to come, too, as NASCAR has yet to set limits for tire for the races starting with Richmond in September till the end of the season.
Teams will continue to be allowed additional time for pre-qualifying inspection process this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, with an additional 10 minutes being available compared to last season. NASCAR made the decision to allow more time beginning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as a result of inspection delays at Atlanta Motor Speedway causing 13 drivers to miss qualifying.
NASCAR also stated that the first round of Sprint Cup Series qualifying will not be 20 minutes for shot tracks and intermediate tracks, versus 25 minutes.
NASCAR also made slight clarifications in how the Rookie testing program works for the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Each driver entered into the program is eligible for two additional tests at any track during the calender year. Some Truck drivers took advantage of this rule, testing at Martinsville Speedway about a week ago. Each test can be no longer than two days, can take place at a NASCAR-sanctioned track or any other track, and teams may use a veteran driver to “shake down” each primary vehicle, but those shake down laps will be limited.
Drivers in the Xfinity Series who are competing for Rookie of the Year program include Darrell Wallace Jr.,Daniel Suarez, Cale Conley, Ross Chastain, Harrison Rhodes and Josh Reaume. Drivers in the Camping World Truck Rookie of the Year program include Austin Theriault, Ray Black Jr.,Korbin Forrister, Spencer Gallagher, Daniel Hemric, Justin Boston, Cameron Hayley, Cody Ware and Wendell Chavous.
