Cone Rule

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The potential use of the “cone rule” at short tracks like Bristol Motor Speedway is something NASCAR executives have discussed, Senior Vice President of Competition Scott Miller said Monday during an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The cone rule is popular in short-track racing. A cone is placed on the race track under caution and drivers have the option to choose which lane they want to restart in, driving to either the inside of the cone or the outside. This lends itself to different strategy plays as a driver deeper in the field could restart in the first few rows should he or see choose the lane opposite competitors.

http://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/08/21/nascar-cone-rule-discussions-denny-hamlin-bristol/
 
Just say "no" to more rule changes and penalize db Hamlin for plugging up the exit of pit road :rolleyes:
 
Potential strategy call if it is close to the end, they could possibly set up the car in the pits to be good up top for a restart.
 
Seems like it could be pretty confusing. I'd rather they just line up like they do as they come off pit road. If drivers want to do what Denny did then they do it at their own risk, didn't seem to help him in though.
 
I'm not nuts about the idea, for the same reason I disliked the old restart rule that had lead lap cars on the outside and lap down cars on the inside: If a driver has already passed these guys once, he shouldn't have to pass them again.
 
Simple Fan said:
Seems like it could be pretty confusing. I'd rather they just line up like they do as they come off pit road. If drivers want to do what Denny did then they do it at their own risk, didn't seem to help him in though.
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Denny ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer :D
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I'm not nuts about the idea, for the same reason I disliked the old restart rule that had lead lap cars on the outside and lap down cars on the inside: If a driver has already passed these guys once, he shouldn't have to pass them again.
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I agree with that to a degree.

But the caution can start with the lead car, and with the 2nd track positioned and third position car being a lap(s) down.
Those lapped cars can have better track positions than other lead lap cars but they will have to forfeit the position, exception being the lucky dog.
I realize at some point a ruling and policy has to be used to run a race. Still the same it isnt always passing the same car twice for the other lead lap cars.

That is one of the things I hate about phantom cautions. In many ways they eliminate the hard enough advantages a driver has earned. It invalidates or water downs the point of the first 3/4s of the race. Just stay on the lead lap, and wait for the resets.
 
At this point I prefer the cone idea, just as long as it does not prolong the cautions.
I think a car in front should have lane choice over the car behind him, not just the leader.
Hamlins pit road stunts at Bristol spells out the need.

Hamlin is getting criticism for stopping or slowing down on pit road, myself included. But he isn't the only one, this has happened before.
A remedy is needed.
 
I recommend mass mid season rule changes !!!! Nothing is quite as entertaining as watching a race and having absolutely no clue as to what the hell is going on !!!! Better yet ........ lets change the rules on restarts after every caution
 
Omg this cone thing is so stupid! This is what wrong with NASCAR now. FANS coming up with this crazy stuff and NASCAR overreacting smh.. leave it alone this is stupid..
 
I'm not familiar with the cone rule but if I understand that one paragraph explanation then hell yeah, go for it! It seems simple enough and would certainly add another set of strategy to the racing. Why only short tracks though? Most every track as a preferred grove to restart in. Change it this week as far as I'm concerned.

Edit: As an active member of the NASCAR Fan Council, I just went in and sent them my 'Yes' vote on this change. :D

(Not that it really means anything, but just in case)
 
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Thegeneral23 said:
Omg this cone thing is so stupid! This is what wrong with NASCAR now. FANS coming up with this crazy stuff and NASCAR overreacting smh.. leave it alone this is stupid..
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It's common at a lot of short tracks...the fans coming up with "this crazy stuff" are the ones who like racing enough to go support their local track AND follow the "big boys" on Sunday. That's a lot of commitment and I LOVE those fans who live for racing.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
It's common at a lot of short tracks...the fans coming up with "this crazy stuff" are the ones who like racing enough to go support their local track AND follow the "big boys" on Sunday. That's a lot of commitment and I LOVE those fans who live for racing.
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So your saying u won't the change because u go to short tracks?? I go to short tracks cookie cutters and super speedways so what are u saying ??
 
This is the only cone rule I am interested in.

ice-cream-waffle-cone.jpg
ice-cream-waffle-cone.jpg
 
I'd rather see it like they do in dirt racing where the first one with a choice picks inside or outside and everyone else lines up inside or outside based on the first choice. Now, only the leader picks. the second row goes inside then outside though the end of the field.
 
Someone is going to go out on the track to put a cone in the middle? Then they will go out and pick it up after the restart? Help me out. How does that work?
 
Pat said:
Someone is going to go out on the track to put a cone in the middle? Then they will go out and pick it up after the restart? Help me out. How does that work?
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I would venture to guess that an actual cone is not necessary. A line would do IMO. And, thinking alone their line of thinking, that line could have an official sponsor. Just to keep things in perspective. ;)
 
Another reason for a caution flag. Has to be because rules don't permit anyone on the track.
 
Thegeneral23 said:
Why can't they just keep it how it is lol.. is it that bad we need another rule change?
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In my opinion, YES. I was never a huge fan of the double file restarts in the first place, and now that it seems for some reason that one lane has a distinct advantage over the other at most tracks, more so than in years past, it's time to try something. In the absence of a better idea, I say try the cone rule.
 
Pat said:
Someone is going to go out on the track to put a cone in the middle? Then they will go out and pick it up after the restart? Help me out. How does that work?
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Typically with two to go a cone will be put on the backstretch and the cars choose their lane. So everyone is 2x2 and has chosen their lane when they get the one to go. At that point the cone is retrieved by the track worker. This is typically how it's done on short tracks with cars doing 30mph under caution and with 20 cars on tracks...now with a 40 car field, a caution pace in the 50-70mph range on the larger tracks, and wave-around cars going at green-flag speeds...NASCAR would likely have to modify the procedure. My best guess is that there would be a painted box in the middle of the backstretch, similar to the painted box on pit road that acts as the commitment cone on short tracks where placing a literal cone is not feasible. That way we don't have a track worker out on the track while cars are taking the wave-around with one to go and driving at race-pace. NASCAR won't give the one-to-go signal until all track support vehicles are tucked away behind a wall. Unlike short tracks where I've seen many pick-up trucks race back to their safe spot as the field is taking the green :eek:. So no, there's won't be a track working running across the backstretch to retrieve a cone as the field takes the green.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
Typically with two to go a cone will be put on the backstretch and the cars choose their lane. So everyone is 2x2 and has chosen their lane when they get the one to go. At that point the cone is retrieved by the track worker. This is typically how it's done on short tracks with cars doing 30mph under caution and with 20 cars on tracks...now with a 40 car field, a caution pace in the 50-70mph range on the larger tracks, and wave-around cars going at green-flag speeds...NASCAR would likely have to modify the procedure. My best guess is that there would be a painted box in the middle of the backstretch, similar to the painted box on pit road that acts as the commitment cone on short tracks where placing a literal cone is not feasible. That way we don't have a track worker out on the track while cars are taking the wave-around with one to go and driving at race-pace. NASCAR won't give the one-to-go signal until all track support vehicles are tucked away behind a wall. Unlike short tracks where I've seen many pick-up trucks race back to their safe spot as the field is taking the green :eek:. So no, there's won't be a track working running across the backstretch to retrieve a cone as the field takes the green.
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Ah... it goes on the back stretch. That in itself is helpful. No actual cone makes sense. I wonder if drivers might change their minds after the one to go and jump lanes..
 
Speedbowl14 said:
I can't even decipher this enough to respond...
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U said something about fans going to short tracks and you like that lol.. so they should put the cone down for fans that support short tracks? I'm confused at what you was trying to say to , I don't understand it.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
I would venture to guess that an actual cone is not necessary. A line would do IMO. And, thinking alone their line of thinking, that line could have an official sponsor. Just to keep things in perspective. ;)
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As they approach the "Boudreaux's Butt Paste demarcation line to choose your lane brought to you by Huggies" the tension mounts. Who will be the first to make the daring move and restart in the bottom lane?
 
Johali said:
As they approach the "Boudreaux's Butt Paste demarcation line to choose your lane brought to you by Huggies" the tension mounts. Who will be the first to make the daring move and restart in the bottom lane?
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Lol
 
Thegeneral23 said:
U said something about fans going to short tracks and you like that lol.. so they should put the cone down for fans that support short tracks? I'm confused at what you was trying to say to , I don't understand it.
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We were all confused (and still are) about what you are trying to say. Complete words would be a good start....
 
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