NASCAR Limits Cup Drivers in XFINITY and Trucks

On Wednesday, NASCAR issued new rules that will limit Sprint Cup Series drivers participation in the XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series.

Beginning next season, Sprint Cup drivers with more than five years experience full time at NASCAR’s top level will be limited to 10 XFINITY races and seven events in the Camping World Truck Series.

Cup drivers at that level will be prohibited from participating in those two series’ final eight races of the season, which will including the cut-off races to make the respective Chase in those series as well as the Chase races themselves.

They will also be prohibited from participating in all Dash 4 Cash program races.

“The updated guidelines will elevate the stature of our future stars, while also providing them the opportunity to compete against the best in professional motor sports,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations, in a statement.

“These updated guidelines are the result of a collaborative effort involving the entire industry, and will ultimately better showcase the emerging stars of NASCAR.”

NASCAR fans in recent years have complained about the Cup Series regulars overshadowing the XFINITY and Truck Series regulars in the lower tier series races.

Since 2011, NASCAR has had rules that prohibits drivers to compete for more than one series championship. This season, Cup drivers in the previous year’s Chase were not allowed to run the season finales in the XFINITY and Truck Series. NASCAR has amended that provision to include any Cup drivers earning points in the 2017 season from participating in the 2017 XFINITY and Truck series championship races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell said last week that changes were on the horizon.

“As the sport has evolved, we have more of a fan following in the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series,” he said. “They like seeing those drivers come up through the ranks, and it’s our job to make sure that XFINITY is where names are made.”