NASCAR: Double File Restart

Don · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 07:04 AM

" DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 4, 2009) -- The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) today announced a change to its race format with the addition of "Double-File Restarts -- Shootout Style" throughout each race. Beginning with this weekend at Pocono Raceway, the first- and second-place drivers will line up side-by-side as the green flag flies for each restart. "

Complete Article:

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=330923

Joe Wicked · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 07:26 AM

About time. They should have done this years ago when the lucky dog was implemented.

Ron61 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 07:33 AM

I think so too. I watched one of their lower class races where they send young drivers to learn last night and they use the double file restart with the two leaders at the front and it was great. Get rid of those cars that are almost a lap down starting in front of the leaders and let the ones laps down start at the back.

Ron

Don · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 08:16 AM

Clarification on the " free pass "

" The first eligible car that is a lap or more down will continue to earn one lap back following a caution, which is known as the "free pass." However, a new element beginning this week will be the "free pass," which will remain in effect the entire race. Previously, it was in effect all race until there were 10 or fewer laps to go. "

fsstnotch · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 08:28 AM

It's about Damn time!!!! Not only will this create a much better race on restarts, but it will keep those wrecked cars and slow cars out of the way. Lucky dog, free pass... I think both are a joke but I don't think the "free pass" will change any outcomes. Usually by the end of the race, teh guys that are the first a lap down don't have hte cars to REALLY compete. But there are some instances where people get a lap penalty and such... just not typically with in the last 10 laps. Where I could see this not being great is for the leader on a track that like the high lines. it will force the leader to the low side and could change some outcomes. Anywyas, this is an absolutely great idea.

Ron61 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 09:01 AM

Fsstnotch,

Not necessarily so. They are discussing having it like at the start of the race where the pole setter can chose which line he wants to start in. It wasn't that long ago that one of them picked the outside lane in one of the lower class races and really took off. If they would do that in the double file restarts for all restarts, it would make it a lot better.

Ron

tcrist · #7 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 09:14 AM

I still think that the free pass should go to the first car behind the leader that is not on the lead lap, NOT the first car 1 lap down. That way if you were the first car behind the leader but you were 2 or more laps down then you would get 1 of your laps back.

Terry

Wayne Maybury · #8 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 09:24 AM

The double file restart is definitely a step in the right direction. Now they have to get rid of the most stupid rule in all of motor racing the free pass or as it is better known, the lucky dog rule. This rule is designed to get star drivers back on the lead lap. It is 100% based on the show and has nothing to do with legitimate racing.

Of course I think that they could greatly improve the sport by getting rid of at least half of the yellow flags but the TV advertisers wouldn't be happy about that idea. An alternative would be to allow each car to only have a limited number of yellow flag pit stops. I prefer to see a car win on the track, not in the pits.

Wayne

Ron61 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 11:01 AM

Wayne,

I completely agree with you about the so called lucky dog and the darn caution laps. That free pass was supposed to be a safety issue as it would stop them from racing back to the start finish line to get a lap back under yellow but now they wreck each other trying to be the first one to get a lap back.
As for the caution flags, it seems that they run half of the races under them, and especially the so called debris cautions where you never see a safety worker even look toward the track. Most of them are nothing more than time outs for the commercials like they have in basketball, but at least they admit it there.

Ron

Dan40 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 11:08 AM

The free pass, lucky dog BS is like not keeping score at little kids games. It is against human nature. If you are behind, go faster or head for the garage.

Does, "Lead, Follow, or get out of the way," sound familiar?

Don · #11 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 11:54 AM

Clarification:

The race leader has the option to select either the high line or the bottom, but in either position the race leader will control the pace of the restart, no passing by anyone until the start/finish line is crossed:

Tony Stewart has endorsed the change............

Will be interesting with Kyle Petty now being a commentator for the remaining races, he calls the shot as he sees it, does not hold back

" Under the new format, the race leader will have the option to restart on the inside or outside lane. The second-place driver would then restart next to the leader. Regardless of where the leader starts, drivers in odd number positions (3rd, 5th, 7th places, etc.) will restart on the inside lane, while drivers in even number positions (4th, 6th, 8th places, etc.) will restart on the outside. All restarts will use the same format regardless of the number of laps remaining in the race."

Joe Wicked · #12 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

I still think that the free pass should go to the first car behind the leader that is not on the lead lap, NOT the first car 1 lap down. That way if you were the first car behind the leader but you were 2 or more laps down then you would get 1 of your laps back.

Terry

agree this way a 2 lap down car can outperform all 1 lap down and get his laps back.

Ron61 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 12:01 PM

That should help a lot with the racing. Now if they would work on getting rid of the caution flags before every pit stop. I would like to see green flag pit stops, but every time they mention it is so many laps until pit stops, you can bet there is going to be a caution flag for some reason.

Ron

fsstnotch · #14 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 12:25 PM

If they did lucky dog where the first person behind the leader gets it... they might as well do away with the rule all together because the rule was meant to create more competition and more racing. giving a guy that was involved in a wreck and has no front end and no chance to be competitive is just a waste. The lucky dog is meant to put the most competitive driver back in the race. And actually... if you look at it in distance traveled, they are putting the closest driver to the leader, up 1 lap. Now, that being said... I hate the rule. As a racecar driver, it isn't fair to the drivers that DIDN't get down a lap.

I'll tell ya what I hate are the "competition cautions!" WTF is that? Just an excuse to get extra commercials in!!!

Joe Wicked · #15 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 01:08 PM

Yea who cares if it rained. If the teams think they need to come in at lap 30 then come in.

tcrist · #16 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 01:14 PM

I look at it like this. It would be no different than the old gentelmans agreement used to be before the free pass/lucky dog rule came into effect. The leader would slow down and let any lap down car (1,2 10, 30 laps down did not matter) pass them. It was the leaders choice if they wanted to do this or not. If they are going to have this rule at least make it the first car not on the lead lap. IMO

With the new way there never will be any way that a car a lap or more down to be able to race their way back on the lead lap.

Don't say that it is not possible for them to do it the old way. Do you think that the 48,24,5,99,16,17 ECT would not be able to pass the leader and race their way back on the lead lap if they got caught a lap down because of a caution right after a green flag pit stop.

fsstnotch, If the car that has no front end and is not competive then it should not be able to run the min speed for the track and should not be there anyway. Although that car could actually do fine in 1/2 mile short tracks.

Dan40 · #17 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

If they did lucky dog where the first person behind the leader gets it... they might as well do away with the rule all together because the rule was meant to create more competition and more racing. giving a guy that was involved in a wreck and has no front end and no chance to be competitive is just a waste. The lucky dog is meant to put the most competitive driver back in the race. And actually... if you look at it in distance traveled, they are putting the closest driver to the leader, up 1 lap. Now, that being said... I hate the rule. As a racecar driver, it isn't fair to the drivers that DIDN't get down a lap.

I'll tell ya what I hate are the "competition cautions!" WTF is that? Just an excuse to get extra commercials in!!!

No commercials mean NO RACING. Hateful, but reality.

Sharroll Celby · #18 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 05:03 PM

What if there were NO PITSTOPS on yellow caution flags?

Ron61 · #19 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 01:56 AM

I would like that but it would stop the talking mouths they have wandering around from impressing people with how much they know. After all, this if for their time on TV.

Ron

fsstnotch · #20 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

I look at it like this. It would be no different than the old gentelmans agreement used to be before the free pass/lucky dog rule came into effect. The leader would slow down and let any lap down car (1,2 10, 30 laps down did not matter) pass them. It was the leaders choice if they wanted to do this or not. If they are going to have this rule at least make it the first car not on the lead lap. IMO

With the new way there never will be any way that a car a lap or more down to be able to race their way back on the lead lap.

Don't say that it is not possible for them to do it the old way. Do you think that the 48,24,5,99,16,17 ECT would not be able to pass the leader and race their way back on the lead lap if they got caught a lap down because of a caution right after a green flag pit stop.

fsstnotch, If the car that has no front end and is not competive then it should not be able to run the min speed for the track and should not be there anyway. Although that car could actually do fine in 1/2 mile short tracks.

That's exactly what they are doing. The first guy not on the lead lap gets his lap back. But yes, i understand what you are saying. I think they should eliminate the rule and just go back to racing to the line on a caution. That was far more exciting than giving someone a handout. And with the new lucky dog rule, I have seen the 48, 24, 20, 18 come from 2 laps down to lead the race. I want to say either 24 or 18 even won one after being 2 or 3 down. But the scenario was that the car got tangled up early in the race. had to come in and make repairs and ended up 2 or 3 down (essentially should have been out for the entire race) and because they were down so early, they made up the laps with the lucky dog quickly because it was a long track and not many people go down laps early. For some reason I wanna say this was the 24.

At any rate, I do dirt racing. it is WAAAAAY more exciting! If you want to see some of your favorite Nascar drivers in action, check out "Prelude to the dream!" Now that is exciting! We have 3 dirt tracks within 30 min and 1 asphault. i been to teh asphault track 1 time for racing and one time to compete in "crash-a-Rama," the crash was a blast!!! The racing... I about fell asleep!