BACK TO GALLERIES
Key changes in NASCAR for 2017
By RJ Kraft | Published: February 2, 2017 14
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Race Format: Explaining the Stages
Across NASCAR's three national series -- the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series -- all have competition enhancements that will be implemented in 2017. Races will consist of three stages -- Stage 1, Stage 2 and the Final Stage -- which will vary by track and race length. Stage 1 and Stage 2 will each comprise approximately 25-30 percent of an event's total length with the Final Stage making up the remainder and determining the race winner.
Across NASCAR's three national series -- the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series -- all have competition enhancements that will be implemented in 2017. Races will consist of three stages -- Stage 1, Stage 2 and the Final Stage -- which will vary by track and race length. Stage 1 and Stage 2 will each comprise approximately 25-30 percent of an event's total length with the Final Stage making up the remainder and determining the race winner.
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Race Format: Point Perks
At the conclusion of Stage 1 and 2, drivers who are running in the top 10 will receive stage bonus points toward their current point total, starting with 10 points for first place, nine for second place and all the way down to one point for 10th place.
The final stage produces the race results with the winner receiving 40 points, second place receiving 35 points down to one point for the drivers that finish 36th through 40th. There are no longer bonus points for leading a lap or a bonus point for leading the most laps.
At the conclusion of Stage 1 and 2, drivers who are running in the top 10 will receive stage bonus points toward their current point total, starting with 10 points for first place, nine for second place and all the way down to one point for 10th place.
The final stage produces the race results with the winner receiving 40 points, second place receiving 35 points down to one point for the drivers that finish 36th through 40th. There are no longer bonus points for leading a lap or a bonus point for leading the most laps.
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Race Format: Playoff Points
Stage winners will receive a playoff point that a driver can carry into the playoffs (the final 10 races) should that driver qualify for the 16-driver field. Race winners receive five playoff points for each race win (up from three). Playoff points will carry over to every round except once the Championship 4 is set.
In the past, the bonus was applied at the outset of the playoffs only. In addition, there will be a regular-season champion, who will receive a bonus of 15 playoff points. Second place earns 10 playoff points, third place earns eight, all the way down to 10th place earning one playoff bonus point. Once the playoffs begin, a win is still the surest way to advance.
Stage winners will receive a playoff point that a driver can carry into the playoffs (the final 10 races) should that driver qualify for the 16-driver field. Race winners receive five playoff points for each race win (up from three). Playoff points will carry over to every round except once the Championship 4 is set.
In the past, the bonus was applied at the outset of the playoffs only. In addition, there will be a regular-season champion, who will receive a bonus of 15 playoff points. Second place earns 10 playoff points, third place earns eight, all the way down to 10th place earning one playoff bonus point. Once the playoffs begin, a win is still the surest way to advance.
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Immediate Points in Duels
For the first time, points will be awarded based on drivers' performances in the Can-Am Duels at Daytona. The points will be awarded much like stage points will be awarded -- although there are no actual stages in this race -- a winner of a Duel gets 10 points, second place gets nine points and all the way down to 10th place earns one point. The twin races help set the full field lineup for the Daytona 500 -- although a race win here does not punch your ticket to the playoffs.
For the first time, points will be awarded based on drivers' performances in the Can-Am Duels at Daytona. The points will be awarded much like stage points will be awarded -- although there are no actual stages in this race -- a winner of a Duel gets 10 points, second place gets nine points and all the way down to 10th place earns one point. The twin races help set the full field lineup for the Daytona 500 -- although a race win here does not punch your ticket to the playoffs.
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Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
A new entitlement partner is on board as Monster Energy will serve as the entitlement sponsor for NASCAR's top series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The multi-year deal makes the energy drink company only the third entitlement sponsor in the history of the sport's top series. In addition, Monster Energy will also serve as the race sponsor for the All-Star Race in May and is the Official Energy Drink of NASCAR.
A new entitlement partner is on board as Monster Energy will serve as the entitlement sponsor for NASCAR's top series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The multi-year deal makes the energy drink company only the third entitlement sponsor in the history of the sport's top series. In addition, Monster Energy will also serve as the race sponsor for the All-Star Race in May and is the Official Energy Drink of NASCAR.
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Participation Guidelines
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers with more than five years of full-time experience are limited to 10 races in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and seven in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Those guidelines also prohibit those drivers from participating in the final eight events of the season for the XFINITY and Truck Series -- that stretch includes the regular-season finale and all playoff races. The guidelines do not apply to drivers with fewer than five years of full-time experience in the top series.
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers with more than five years of full-time experience are limited to 10 races in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and seven in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Those guidelines also prohibit those drivers from participating in the final eight events of the season for the XFINITY and Truck Series -- that stretch includes the regular-season finale and all playoff races. The guidelines do not apply to drivers with fewer than five years of full-time experience in the top series.
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Rules Package and Rules Updates
NASCAR continues to further reduce downforce with the 2017 rules package. The downforce is expected to be around 1,500 pounds -- a reduction of about 500 pounds from 2016. The spoiler is also shorter. Most events (28 of the 36 points-paying races) will see a reduction in the number of tire sets in a race. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams will also be required to start the race on the tires used in Coors Light Pole Qualifying.
NASCAR continues to further reduce downforce with the 2017 rules package. The downforce is expected to be around 1,500 pounds -- a reduction of about 500 pounds from 2016. The spoiler is also shorter. Most events (28 of the 36 points-paying races) will see a reduction in the number of tire sets in a race. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams will also be required to start the race on the tires used in Coors Light Pole Qualifying.
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Damaged Vehicle Policy
Teams (in all three series) will no longer be allowed to replace damaged body parts that are the result of accidents or contact. Repairs (such as removing damaged sheet metal) will be allowed, however teams are given five minutes to fix damage once they enter pit road. If the damage requires the car to go behind pit wall or to the garage for repairs, the car will not be allowed to return to the race. Should the repairs take longer than the five minutes allowed, the car will not be permitted to return to the race.
Teams (in all three series) will no longer be allowed to replace damaged body parts that are the result of accidents or contact. Repairs (such as removing damaged sheet metal) will be allowed, however teams are given five minutes to fix damage once they enter pit road. If the damage requires the car to go behind pit wall or to the garage for repairs, the car will not be allowed to return to the race. Should the repairs take longer than the five minutes allowed, the car will not be permitted to return to the race.
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New deterrence policy
NASCAR's updated deterrence system shifts toward an officiating process that penalizes pre-race infractions within a given race weekend. The new system replaces the P1-through-P6 penalty classification which had been in effect since the start of the 2014 season. The new structure grades significant penalties into Levels 1 and 2, both of which involve points deductions and crew chief or team member suspensions that increase with a given violation's severity. Read the below link for more on penalties for lug-nut, LIS violations, 'encumbered' finishes and the list of pre-race penalties at a series directors’ disposal.
NASCAR's updated deterrence system shifts toward an officiating process that penalizes pre-race infractions within a given race weekend. The new system replaces the P1-through-P6 penalty classification which had been in effect since the start of the 2014 season. The new structure grades significant penalties into Levels 1 and 2, both of which involve points deductions and crew chief or team member suspensions that increase with a given violation's severity. Read the below link for more on penalties for lug-nut, LIS violations, 'encumbered' finishes and the list of pre-race penalties at a series directors’ disposal.
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Dash 4 Cash
The Dash 4 Cash returns in the NASCAR XFINITY Series for 2017 with some changes. The four eligible drivers (running for XFINITY Series championship points) will be the top finishers in Stage 1 and Stage 2. Should the Stage 2 winners be the same as Stage 1, then it's the third-and fourth-place finishers from Stage 2. Two D4C 'wins' earns a playoff berth. The program will begin at Phoenix (which was not part of the four tracks to use D4C last year) before continuing at Bristol and Richmond and then finishing up at Dover.
The Dash 4 Cash returns in the NASCAR XFINITY Series for 2017 with some changes. The four eligible drivers (running for XFINITY Series championship points) will be the top finishers in Stage 1 and Stage 2. Should the Stage 2 winners be the same as Stage 1, then it's the third-and fourth-place finishers from Stage 2. Two D4C 'wins' earns a playoff berth. The program will begin at Phoenix (which was not part of the four tracks to use D4C last year) before continuing at Bristol and Richmond and then finishing up at Dover.
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Zack Albert, NASCAR.com
Driver Changes and More
The offseason brings about plenty of driver movement across all three national series. One of the most notable moves was known in September of 2015 when Clint Bowyer was announced as the driver that would take over the No. 14 car (a Ford -- a change that was revealed in 2016) from the retiring Tony Stewart.
The big surprise came last month when Carl Edwards announced he was leaving racing, and reigning XFINITY Series champion Daniel Suarez moved up to take his seat in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
The offseason brings about plenty of driver movement across all three national series. One of the most notable moves was known in September of 2015 when Clint Bowyer was announced as the driver that would take over the No. 14 car (a Ford -- a change that was revealed in 2016) from the retiring Tony Stewart.
The big surprise came last month when Carl Edwards announced he was leaving racing, and reigning XFINITY Series champion Daniel Suarez moved up to take his seat in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
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Toyota Racing
New-look Toyotas On Track
There will be a new-look Toyota Camry on track for the 2017 season, as the manufacturer's remodeled on-track car reflects the product that will arrive on the showroom floor later this year. Joe Gibbs Racing, Furniture Row Racing and BK Racing field Toyotas in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Chevrolet will make a similar change next year as it is ceasing production on the SS with the 2017 model run.
There will be a new-look Toyota Camry on track for the 2017 season, as the manufacturer's remodeled on-track car reflects the product that will arrive on the showroom floor later this year. Joe Gibbs Racing, Furniture Row Racing and BK Racing field Toyotas in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Chevrolet will make a similar change next year as it is ceasing production on the SS with the 2017 model run.
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Repaving the Race Track
Texas Motor Speedway announced a track project that includes a repave of the 1.5-mile racing surface ahead of its April doubleheader at the track. The project also includes the installation of an expansive drainage system as well as a reconfiguration of Turns 1 and 2. Atlanta Motor Speedway will begin a repave project after it hosts a NASCAR tripleheader in March. Phoenix Raceway has also announced a major track project -- scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2018 -- that includes repositioning the start/finish line.
Texas Motor Speedway announced a track project that includes a repave of the 1.5-mile racing surface ahead of its April doubleheader at the track. The project also includes the installation of an expansive drainage system as well as a reconfiguration of Turns 1 and 2. Atlanta Motor Speedway will begin a repave project after it hosts a NASCAR tripleheader in March. Phoenix Raceway has also announced a major track project -- scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2018 -- that includes repositioning the start/finish line.
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Kids Drive NASCAR
Starting this season for all NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, kids ages 12 and younger will be admitted for free. Many race tracks have a host of offerings geared toward youth, such as youth autograph sessions, youth garage tours and designated kids' zones. The number of complementary tickets available for children 12 and younger will vary from venue to venue for every adult ticket purchased.
Starting this season for all NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, kids ages 12 and younger will be admitted for free. Many race tracks have a host of offerings geared toward youth, such as youth autograph sessions, youth garage tours and designated kids' zones. The number of complementary tickets available for children 12 and younger will vary from venue to venue for every adult ticket purchased.