As Autosport reports, the new rule, dubbed “NASCAR overtime”, establishes an “overtime line” at a specific point, varying from track to track. If a caution comes out after the leader crosses the determined line, the restart will stand and the field will come back to the start/finish line under caution and be awarded points based on their position when the yellow flag was shown. Earnhardt is a two-time victor of the Sprint Unlimited and always a threat to win this exhibition race.
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However, if the caution flies before the leader reaching the line, another restart will be attempted. The race continues until a valid attempt.NASCAR previously had a limit of three tries to complete the race.NASCAR hopes the change will eliminate some of the angst that has come when late cautions.
“At the same time, NASCAR also announced that it has decided to make Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet eligible to race while NASCAR Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell also stated, “(Brian) Vickers is medically cleared”. Meanwhile, the second-place finisher will get 39 points and third place will get 38 points.
NASCAR has also adjusted its points system to reflect Cup fields being reduced from 43 to 40 cars under the new “team charter” policy.
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, declined to speak for Stewart-Haas Racing as to who it will field in Tony Stewart’s vehicle at Speedweeks, but stated that Vickers had successfully been cleared to race.
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– The highest-finishing non-charter teams in the two duel races will earn a spot in the Daytona 500 field. If qualifying is rained out, practice speeds would determine those four spots.
