New format places premium on speed and top-15 finish in Duels

Without the top-35 rule, the first race of the season, the Daytona 500, might be missing some of the sport’s biggest stars. The new starting lineup will be made up of the fastest 36 cars and the top six in owner points that didn’t qualify on speed, and the final position will be saved for a past champion, as long as they raced the previous season. If that spot isn't used by a former champ, it will go to the seventh racer in owner points. So what does this mean for the Daytona 500? VIDEO: John Darby explains Daytona 500 qualifying. As long as you finish first and second on qualifying day and in the top 15 in your Duel, you’re locked in. But after that, positions 33-36 transfer in from being fastest in qualifying (if they aren’t already locked in) and 37-42 go to the top six in owner points. Forty-third will be a past champion or another based on owner points. Drivers like Matt Kenseth (18th), Joey Logano (21st), Kyle Busch (13th) and Carl Edwards (16th) need to be careful. Kenseth is the defending Daytona 500 winner, and Edwards and Busch know their way around Daytona. But first they have to make it in. ... Read More

New format places premium on speed and top-15 finish in Duels

Without the top-35 rule, the first race of the season, the Daytona 500, might be missing some of the sport’s biggest stars. The new starting lineup will be made up of the fastest 36 cars and the top six in owner points that didn’t qualify on speed, and the final position will be saved for a past champion, as long as they raced the pre... Read More

Fans will vote on competition of the newly titled Sprint Unlimited at Daytona. The 75-lap, non-points race opens the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

There are three competition-related voting categories: Length of each of the three segments - Choice A: 40 laps, 20 laps, 15 laps - Choice B: 35 laps, 30 laps, 10 laps - Choice C: 30 laps, 25 laps, 20 laps * Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 13. Team pit stop after the first segment - Choice A: No pit stop - Choice B: Two (2) tire change - Choice C: Four (4) tire change * Voting ends at the green flag of the first segment. How many cars will be eliminated after the second segment - Choice A: None (0) - Choice B: Two (2) - Choice C: Four (4) - Choice D: Six (6) * Voting ends at the green flag of the first segment. ... Read More

Fans will vote on competition of the newly titled Sprint Unlimited at Daytona. The 75-lap, non-points race opens the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

There are three competition-related voting categories: Length of each of the three segments - Choice A: 40 laps, 20 laps, 15 laps - Choice B: 35 laps, 30 laps, 10 laps - Choice C: 30 laps, 25 laps, 20 laps * Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. ... Read More

The new cars in 2013 aren’t just getting a physical makeover – the way they are wrapped will be different as well.

Some differences include the driver’s last name being on the windshield; a single sponsor being allowed on the roof; decals are allowed to extend past the front edge of the b-post; team logos permitted on the front bumper; decals no longer allowed on headlights or taillights; and the car number moved to the front and rear bumper. ... Read More

The new cars in 2013 aren’t just getting a physical makeover – the way they are wrapped will be different as well.

Some differences include the driver’s last name being on the windshield; a single sponsor being allowed on the roof; decals are allowed to extend past the front edge of the b-post; team logos permitted on the front bumper; decals no longer allowed on headlights or taillights; and the ... Read More