NASCAR announced today a new “Overtime” procedure change for a green-white-checkered finish in all three of its national series, two of which – the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (GEICO 500) and NASCAR XFINITY Series (Talladega 300) – that will compete at Talladega Superspeedway, April 29-May 1.
A race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 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 Sprint Cup Series shifts to 40-car Fields in 2016
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will move to 40-car starting fields in 2016 after many years of having 43 cars start each event. Earlier this week NASCAR and the NASCAR Sprint Cup team owners announced a new “Charter” agreement. As a result, the agreement grants NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Charters to 36 teams. Key elements of the 40-car field, which will be a part of the Talladega’s GEICO 500 in May, as well as the Alabama 500 in October, are below:
-The 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)
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.
The Sunday, May 1, GEICO 500 is set for a Noon CDT start while the Talladega 300 will take the green flag at 2 p.m. CDT on Saturday, April 30. In addition, the spring weekend will consist of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards on Friday, April 29. For information on tickets to Talladega Superspeedway events, call 1-877-Go2-DEGA or visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com
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