Fan Fav: Double File Restarts!

Sometimes it takes a movement by fans to bring about change in any sport, which is a good thing because fan participation ensures whether any sport succeeds or fails. With motorsports, fans are always clamoring for improvements including ‘double-file restarts — shootout style’ something that will be added to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races beginning this weekend.

New Rule Ready For Pocono Race

What this mean is that beginning with this Sunday’s race at Pocono Speedway in Pennsylvania, the first and second place drivers will line up side by side as the green flag flies for each restart. NASCAR is allowing the race leader to choose whether to be position on the inside or outside lane with the second place driver position next to the leader.

NASCAR says that regardless of where the leader starts, drivers in odd number positions (third, fifth, seventh places, etc.) will restart on the inside lane, while drivers in even number positions (fourth, sixth, eighth places, etc.) will restart on the outside. All restarts will use the same format regardless of the number of laps remaining in the race.

First Place Driver Sets The Pace

In addition, NASCAR says that the first-place driver will continue to control the timing of restarts in a designated zone on the track. What’s more, cars are to stay in line until they reach the start/finish line. The first eligible car a lap or more down will continue to earn one lap back following a caution, which is known as the “free pass.” However, a new element beginning this week will be that the “free pass” will remain in effect the entire race.

Lapped cars choosing to remain on the track will be “waved around” the caution car and will restart the race in respective track position, thus picking up a lap to the leader provided the leader also pits. This will also remove lapped cars from behind the pace car, allowing the leaders to take the green without interference.

The Pocono 500 will be get started at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday (June 7th).  You can catch all of the action on TNT.

Source: NASCAR

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