By Ryan - Posted on June 10, 2009
Under the new format, the race leader will have the option of starting on the inside lane or outside lane of the track, with the second place driver taking the other spot. Regardless of lap traffic conditions, odd number positions will line up in the inside lane and even positions will take the outside lane. The other restart change is that the “lucky dog” pass for the first car one lap down will be in effect the entire way through the race. This changes what had previously been a rule in which the free pass stopped with 10 or fewer laps.
The shootout style racing that occurs from a double file restart has been a long time coming in NASCAR. Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition, said, “I don't know if I can pinpoint any one thing. But the fans have been heard loud and clear. They seem to be a little more vocal this time around. It comes on the heels of one of the best All-Star events we've had. That was pretty exciting."
And it has its fans on the track, including the outspoken Tony Stewart. He said, “I'm excited about it. The good thing is that when they drop the green, you're going to be racing with the guys you're racing for position instead of trying to clear lapped cars...I'm behind NASCAR 100 percent on this." For “Smoke”, that excitement poured over into his first points win as an owner/driver, Sunday at Pocono Raceway. Since both wins have come from “shootout style” races, it’s easy to see why Stewart prefers the rules change. His teammate Ryan Newman, finishing fifth, added, “We're delivering the entertainment to the fans. If the fans say they want us to start the third restart in reverse and then switch around two laps later and run forward, we're probably going to do it."
No matter how you slice it, it can only add more excitement to the sport. Shootout style racing has brought fans to the track every Sunday since Bill France sat in the bleachers on the beach at Daytona, and it’s nice to know that NASCAR is willing to give the fans what they ask for.
