NASCAR adjusts its rules in 2023

Above all the road tests of NASCAR Cup Series drop yellow flag at end of segment. If the sections of the race are well maintained with the allocation of points, the race will no longer be neutralized at their end. A happy decision as these yellow flags broke the rhythm of the races and brought no added value in terms of strategies.

“When we introduced segment racing four or five years ago, we unintentionally took away an element of strategy on the road courses, said Elton Sawyer, senior vice president of NASCAR. So we felt it needed to be addressed.” 

Let them Race! ©NASCAR

Another major novelty, the list of tracks on which races can take place in rainy conditions is extended to tracks of less than 1 mile (1,609km) and mixed oval/road circuits. The rain kit, including treaded tires, windshield wipers and rear rain light, will be made available to teams for the Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Martinsville Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star Race, at Phoenix Raceway, Richmond Raceway, Milwaukee Mile and Indianapolis Raceway Park. In the event of rain, windshield wipers will not be mandatory at the Clash, but will become mandatory from the March 12 race at Phoenix Raceway.

More opportunities to drive in the rain from 2023 © NASCAR

Playoff qualifying rules are relaxed in the three national NASCAR series. Drivers who win at least one round during the regular season are no longer required to be ranked at the end of the round among the top 30 (Cup Series) or top 20 (Xfinity and Truck Series) to participate in the Playoffs. However, they must always be engaged for the season to validate their ticket.

Another highly anticipated decision, Ross Chastain's "Move" maneuvers are now prohibited for obvious safety reasons. As a reminder, the Trackhouse driver brilliantly threw his No. 1 Chevrolet at full speed onto the outside wall of the last turn at Martinsville Speedway to gain five positions in the final meters of the race and qualify for the Final. Officials will now have complete freedom to impose a time penalty on any vehicle that attempts a dangerous maneuver like Chastain's, based on their judgment alone. Ross Chastain himself recognized the limits of this maneuver after the race: “Why did it work?” I don't know, but I have no idea or plan to do it again because it really wasn't pleasant! »

Between a stroke of genius and a stroke of madness, Chastain’s “Move” has already made NASCAR history / © Getty

Finally, the “Restart Zone”, the race restart zone after a yellow flag, is extended by 50% to offer the leader greater strategic freedom.

Extended Rerstart Zones © NACAR

ALSO READ > The LA Coliseum is ready for the NASCAR Clash