BACK TO GALLERIES
What’s new in NASCAR for 2019?
By Steve Luvender | Published: February 12, 2019 16
1 of 16
The 2019 NASCAR season is one of exciting evolution, from competition rule changes to brand-new car models to new prize incentives. We've gathered some of the most noteworthy developments before the green flag drops on a new year of racing.
2 of 16
Baseline rules package
Perhaps the most notable and impactful change for the 2019 racing season is a new aerodynamic and engine rules package designed to create more competitive on-track action, particularly on speedways more than a mile in length. Teams recently tested the new package at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Perhaps the most notable and impactful change for the 2019 racing season is a new aerodynamic and engine rules package designed to create more competitive on-track action, particularly on speedways more than a mile in length. Teams recently tested the new package at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
3 of 16
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Ford Mustang
After racing the Fusion since 2006, the defending manufacturers' champion Ford switches to the Mustang model in 2019.
After racing the Fusion since 2006, the defending manufacturers' champion Ford switches to the Mustang model in 2019.
4 of 16
Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
Post-Race Inspection Rules
NASCAR announced several notable changes to post-race inspection procedures across all three national series. In addition to expediting the inspection process -- reviewing cars at the track rather than NASCAR's Research & Development Center -- rules violations on race-winning cars are now subject to disqualification, a departure from past policy.
NASCAR announced several notable changes to post-race inspection procedures across all three national series. In addition to expediting the inspection process -- reviewing cars at the track rather than NASCAR's Research & Development Center -- rules violations on race-winning cars are now subject to disqualification, a departure from past policy.
5 of 16
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Dedicated Inspection Officials
Beginning in 2019, NASCAR will staff series-specific inspectors in each of the three NASCAR national tours. This change is intended to familiarize inspectors with one type of car throughout the season, rather than inspection staff rotating through several different types of vehicles.
Beginning in 2019, NASCAR will staff series-specific inspectors in each of the three NASCAR national tours. This change is intended to familiarize inspectors with one type of car throughout the season, rather than inspection staff rotating through several different types of vehicles.
6 of 16
Sean Gardner | Getty Images
No More Driver-Adjustable Trackbar
Introduced in 2015, an in-car adjustable trackbar allowed drivers to alter their cars' handling in real time while racing. For 2019, the option to make an adjustment from within the car reverts to the previous rule where a pit crew member can adjust the car's trackbar from outside the car during a pit stop.
Introduced in 2015, an in-car adjustable trackbar allowed drivers to alter their cars' handling in real time while racing. For 2019, the option to make an adjustment from within the car reverts to the previous rule where a pit crew member can adjust the car's trackbar from outside the car during a pit stop.
7 of 16
Getty Images
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Battle
A new season marks a new Rookie of the Year battle. Three full-time drivers compete in their first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series seasons in 2019: Daniel Hemric, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing; Ryan Preece, driving the No. 47 Chevrolet for JTG Daugherty Racing; and Matt Tifft, driving the No. 36 Ford for Front Row Motorsports.
A new season marks a new Rookie of the Year battle. Three full-time drivers compete in their first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series seasons in 2019: Daniel Hemric, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing; Ryan Preece, driving the No. 47 Chevrolet for JTG Daugherty Racing; and Matt Tifft, driving the No. 36 Ford for Front Row Motorsports.
8 of 16
Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
Qualifying Schedule Tweaks
At intermediate and short tracks, first-round qualifying will be reduced from 15 minutes to 10 minutes in 2019. Additionally, NASCAR will reduce the time between sessions -- meaning less time waiting for cars on track during qualifying.
At intermediate and short tracks, first-round qualifying will be reduced from 15 minutes to 10 minutes in 2019. Additionally, NASCAR will reduce the time between sessions -- meaning less time waiting for cars on track during qualifying.
9 of 16
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Sonoma Raceway Track Layout
In celebration of Sonoma Raceway's 50th anniversary, the road course will return to its original layout that hasn't been used in NASCAR since 1997. The layout adjustment reintroduces 'The Carousel' and increases the track length from 1.99 miles to 2.52 miles. No active full-time driver has competed in a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on the track's original layout.
In celebration of Sonoma Raceway's 50th anniversary, the road course will return to its original layout that hasn't been used in NASCAR since 1997. The layout adjustment reintroduces 'The Carousel' and increases the track length from 1.99 miles to 2.52 miles. No active full-time driver has competed in a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on the track's original layout.
10 of 16
Toyota Racing
Xfinity Series Toyota Supra
In July, Toyota announced its NASCAR Xfinity Series Camry would be superseded by its newly revived Supra model. Which driver will claim the first checkered flag with Toyota's new performance-car badge?
In July, Toyota announced its NASCAR Xfinity Series Camry would be superseded by its newly revived Supra model. Which driver will claim the first checkered flag with Toyota's new performance-car badge?
11 of 16
Gander Outdoors Truck Series
Camping World, title sponsor of the Truck Series for the past 10 years, expands its partnership with NASCAR and changes title sponsorship to its Gander Outdoors brand beginning with the 2019 season -- marking the rebranded Gander Outdoors Truck Series.
Camping World, title sponsor of the Truck Series for the past 10 years, expands its partnership with NASCAR and changes title sponsorship to its Gander Outdoors brand beginning with the 2019 season -- marking the rebranded Gander Outdoors Truck Series.
12 of 16
Josh Hedges | Getty Images
Xfinity Series Field Sizes
In August, NASCAR announced the Xfinity Series will change its field size from 40 cars to 38 cars in 2019. Prize money typically awarded to the 39th- and 40th-place finishers will be redistributed throughout the field.
In August, NASCAR announced the Xfinity Series will change its field size from 40 cars to 38 cars in 2019. Prize money typically awarded to the 39th- and 40th-place finishers will be redistributed throughout the field.
13 of 16
Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
Xfinity Series Flange-Fit Bodies
After a two-season roll-out period, all 33 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series will require competitors' cars to use flange-fit composite bodies, rather than traditional steel-based car bodies. Composite bodies are attached to the chassis bracing with bolts, making repairs less labor-intensive.
After a two-season roll-out period, all 33 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series will require competitors' cars to use flange-fit composite bodies, rather than traditional steel-based car bodies. Composite bodies are attached to the chassis bracing with bolts, making repairs less labor-intensive.
14 of 16
Jeff Curry | Getty Images
Triple Truck Challenge
Gander Outdoors Truck Series competitors will take a shot at a brand new $500,000 prize this June with the introduction of the Triple Truck Challenge. Each winner of three consecutive races -- Texas Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, and Gateway Motorsports Park -- will take home a $50,000 bonus. Two of the three wins in that span will net $150,000 more, while a clean sweep of the Triple Truck Challenge events will earn a team a half-million dollars.
Gander Outdoors Truck Series competitors will take a shot at a brand new $500,000 prize this June with the introduction of the Triple Truck Challenge. Each winner of three consecutive races -- Texas Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, and Gateway Motorsports Park -- will take home a $50,000 bonus. Two of the three wins in that span will net $150,000 more, while a clean sweep of the Triple Truck Challenge events will earn a team a half-million dollars.
15 of 16
2019 Drive for Diversity Class
In December, NASCAR announced the 2019 class for its Drive for Diversity program. The six drivers -- Chase Cabre, Ernie Francis Jr., Ruben Garcia Jr., Nick Sanchez, Brooke Storer, Gracie Trotter -- will compete in various racing series in 2019, showcasing their talent and experience with hopes of climbing the NASCAR ranks.
In December, NASCAR announced the 2019 class for its Drive for Diversity program. The six drivers -- Chase Cabre, Ernie Francis Jr., Ruben Garcia Jr., Nick Sanchez, Brooke Storer, Gracie Trotter -- will compete in various racing series in 2019, showcasing their talent and experience with hopes of climbing the NASCAR ranks.
16 of 16
JR Motorsports Twitter
eSports Initiatives
2019 marks a season of growth in NASCAR's eSports efforts. The new NASCAR Heat 3-based eNASCAR Heat Pro League pairs 16 real-world NASCAR teams with dozens of eSports competitors following a draft period in March. Additionally, the eNASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series marks its 10th season by collaborating with several notable NASCAR race teams and professional eSports organizations, while the prize pool reaches six figures. The two series join the recently launched eNASCAR Ignite Series, aimed toward young drivers competing on iRacing.
2019 marks a season of growth in NASCAR's eSports efforts. The new NASCAR Heat 3-based eNASCAR Heat Pro League pairs 16 real-world NASCAR teams with dozens of eSports competitors following a draft period in March. Additionally, the eNASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series marks its 10th season by collaborating with several notable NASCAR race teams and professional eSports organizations, while the prize pool reaches six figures. The two series join the recently launched eNASCAR Ignite Series, aimed toward young drivers competing on iRacing.