NASCAR creates 50-foot zone for leader to restart race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR has created a 50-foot area for the leader to restart the race instead of giving the leader the option of not accelerating until reaching the starting line.

In the past, NASCAR had set of double-red lines on the wall, typically coming out of Turn 4, and drivers had the option of starting in the vicinity of the lines or anytime before reaching the flagstand.

NASCAR now will throw the green flag if the leader is 50 feet past the double-red lines and has not mashed the gas. A single-red line on the wall will signify the end of the restart zone. There will be no penalty for a driver who fails to restart the race in the zone, but the driver would certainly be in danger of getting run over by the cars behind him. Restarting before the double-red line would be a pass-through penalty as in the past.

Last year, drivers kept restarting closer to the flagstand instead of the vicinity of the red lines.

“Things change from time to time, and we’re getting to where we wanted to talk about it and the teams wanted to talk about it,” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said. “We talked to the drivers and the teams, and this is a start of what we think would be a solution to some of the restarts.”

The rule will go into effect for the Budweiser Shootout tonight at Daytona International Speedway and the length of the zone could change.

“We want to stay as consistent as we can,” Pemberton said. “We know that there might be situations, whether it be road courses, 2 1/2 miles, five-eighths miles [tracks]. Our goal is to have a zone that can go almost everywhere we go. We’ll see.”




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Why can't they just leave well enough alone. It's always been the leader's choice where to restart the race, that's what's cool about being the leader.

luckyGordongrl wrote:Why can't they just leave well enough alone. It's always been the leader's choice where to restart the race, that's what's cool about being the leader.

I agree with you! The leader has earned the right to restart when & where he wants to in my opinion!

luckyGordongrl wrote:Why can't they just leave well enough alone. It's always been the leader's choice where to restart the race, that's what's cool about being the leader.

Right about that LG. They are always changing this around so much who can keep up?

I think we need a new rule book every year for all the new/crazy rules that are in affect. I don't like this one at all.

Ain't it da truth!!!

harleysgal62 wrote:

Aint that the truth! lol

They change rules like I change boxers.

That is just the funniest thing ever!!