NASCAR does an about-face on impound race rules
By JIM UTTER
ThatsRacin.com Writer
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Impound races in the Nextel Cup Series – at least the model that was used this season – are on their way out.
"The impound rules are under review," said NASCAR vice president of corporate communication Jim Hunter. "It is safe to say there will be significant changes to the impound model that we rolled out this season."
The impound rules were implemented in Cup during a majority of race weekends this season.
The sudden about-face on impound weekends appears to be directly related to the ongoing negotiations between NASCAR and its TV partners, as well as several tracks, sources said.
NASCAR's current TV deal expires at the conclusion of next season and it has been in negotiations with several partners – Fox, TNT and ESPN – on a new deal. The TV networks, particularly ESPN, have indicated a desire for an increase in on-track activity that could be broadcast, sources said.
An impound weekend typically features a Friday practice, Saturday morning qualifying and race on Sunday. Following qualifying, cars are impounded and cannot be altered until the race.
The procedure was promoted as a cost-cutting move, relieving teams from having to utilize both race and qualifying set-ups on their cars.
As recently as this summer, NASCAR officials announced plans for most of the 2006 Cup race weekend to be run under the current impound procedures.
Impound race procedures are expected to remain the same in the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series next season.
"I think it's a great situation," said Penske Racing South president Don Miller. "All that we had all year long is we were here for three days, but we worked for two days but we couldn't have a day off because in the middle of the day was one hour of qualifying.
"It was a really stupid situation and I'm glad they rectified it."
By JIM UTTER
ThatsRacin.com Writer
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Impound races in the Nextel Cup Series – at least the model that was used this season – are on their way out.
"The impound rules are under review," said NASCAR vice president of corporate communication Jim Hunter. "It is safe to say there will be significant changes to the impound model that we rolled out this season."
The impound rules were implemented in Cup during a majority of race weekends this season.
The sudden about-face on impound weekends appears to be directly related to the ongoing negotiations between NASCAR and its TV partners, as well as several tracks, sources said.
NASCAR's current TV deal expires at the conclusion of next season and it has been in negotiations with several partners – Fox, TNT and ESPN – on a new deal. The TV networks, particularly ESPN, have indicated a desire for an increase in on-track activity that could be broadcast, sources said.
An impound weekend typically features a Friday practice, Saturday morning qualifying and race on Sunday. Following qualifying, cars are impounded and cannot be altered until the race.
The procedure was promoted as a cost-cutting move, relieving teams from having to utilize both race and qualifying set-ups on their cars.
As recently as this summer, NASCAR officials announced plans for most of the 2006 Cup race weekend to be run under the current impound procedures.
Impound race procedures are expected to remain the same in the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series next season.
"I think it's a great situation," said Penske Racing South president Don Miller. "All that we had all year long is we were here for three days, but we worked for two days but we couldn't have a day off because in the middle of the day was one hour of qualifying.
"It was a really stupid situation and I'm glad they rectified it."