NASCAR announces "single file" lineups with 20 laps to go or less

NASCAR will use single-file lineups for restarts with 20 laps remaining in all three national series this year, NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said today. The previous rule called for single-file restarts with only 10 laps remaining. All other restarts had lapped cars on the inside lane. NASCAR is still allowing for the first driver one-lap down [Lucky Dog] to get back on the lead lap until there are 10 laps left in the race. Pemberton said the rule was to allow the leaders more room to race following a caution in the waning laps. “We’ve been talking to the crews, teams and drivers and we felt like it was a time to make a change,” Pemberton said. “We haven’t taken away the lucky dog and haven’t hurt anybody from getting a lap back.”

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on February 12, 2009 at 12:49pm

Yeah, if they really wanted the guys to race, they'd restart them just like the start the race.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dave-O on February 12, 2009 at 12:52pm

"Cautions breed Cautions"

I look forward to hearing that less.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TOG on February 12, 2009 at 1:42pm

great move

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by brian campbell on February 12, 2009 at 1:54pm

that just gives the front runers more tv time and the lesser teams less tv time.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on February 12, 2009 at 5:31pm

Guys,& gals, all this means is that if we have a caution with 22 to go,& restart inside of 20, we'll see 19 1/2 180+mph parade laps. This will NOT increase competition inside of 20 to go.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jan on February 12, 2009 at 6:43pm

I don't care for the idea simply based on the fact that it reduces if not completely takes away the chance for drivers a lap down to race their way back onto the lead lap with under 20 to go. If drivers in the top 10 or on the lead lap don't like racing against these slower cars or drivers that are a lap down then maybe they should just hang it up & invest their $$$ in RC cars. It's racing guys-deal with it

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by jack on February 12, 2009 at 8:33pm

I think it's a good call. I don't think it will make a whole lot of difference with the top 4 or 5 cars.. But the cars that are in 10th on back.... that will make a huge difference. On a restart, buy the time a car reaches the start/finish line and can actually start racing,,,not only do they have the 10 cars in front of them but also 10 cars that are a lap down that are blended in with the lead lap cars.. That means you have to pass 2 cars to move up 1 position... I kind of rambled here not sure if i made my point...lol

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on February 13, 2009 at 1:29am

It should be a percentage of the race laps, not a fixed number. 20 laps at Bristol and 20 laps at Watkins Glen and 20 laps at Michigan have nothing in common.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by jack on February 13, 2009 at 1:54am

I disagree with that. As it's not about having the same amount of time the lead lap guys have to only race themselves at the end of a race... but more about having the same amount of opportunities at the end of every race.