New rules from NASCAR to help teams with costs: With the goal being to preserve the competitive racing that the Camping World Truck Series is known for among race fans, while at the same time help teams save money; NASCAR has issued new rules for the 2009 season. A brief synopsis is a follows:
-- After March 25th, teams will not be permitted to compete in more than three consecutive events without running a sealed engine. [Meaning teams cannot run four races in a row without using an engine that has been previously run by an engine builder and sealed by NASCAR.] Once a team uses a sealed engine, the count starts over again. For example, a team owner may decide to run only two races before using a sealed engine; at that point, the three consecutive count starts over.
-- Team owners make the initial decision what race they want an engine sealed, and at the discretion of the NASCAR Competition Director, the engine will be sealed. Seals will be installed and removed by NASCAR officials only.
-- Teams will be limited to five over-the-wall pit crew members for pit stops, whether under green or yellow conditions. Teams will not be allowed to fuel and change tires during the same pit stop. Teams can stop any time, under green or yellow conditions, and perform anything they would normally do during a pit stop; they just will not be allowed to do gas and tires at the same time. At one point, competition cautions were considered, however limiting the number of over-the-wall crew members seemed a more viable option. As a result, pit strategy may prove to be in the mix during many races.
-- The crew chief must designate a maximum of twelve active crew members to attend each race. Active crew members include the crew chief, driver, spotter, plus nine other people actively turning wrenches on the truck. Team owners, public relations representatives, and guests are not included in the numbers.(1-30-2009)
-- After March 25th, teams will not be permitted to compete in more than three consecutive events without running a sealed engine. [Meaning teams cannot run four races in a row without using an engine that has been previously run by an engine builder and sealed by NASCAR.] Once a team uses a sealed engine, the count starts over again. For example, a team owner may decide to run only two races before using a sealed engine; at that point, the three consecutive count starts over.
-- Team owners make the initial decision what race they want an engine sealed, and at the discretion of the NASCAR Competition Director, the engine will be sealed. Seals will be installed and removed by NASCAR officials only.
-- Teams will be limited to five over-the-wall pit crew members for pit stops, whether under green or yellow conditions. Teams will not be allowed to fuel and change tires during the same pit stop. Teams can stop any time, under green or yellow conditions, and perform anything they would normally do during a pit stop; they just will not be allowed to do gas and tires at the same time. At one point, competition cautions were considered, however limiting the number of over-the-wall crew members seemed a more viable option. As a result, pit strategy may prove to be in the mix during many races.
-- The crew chief must designate a maximum of twelve active crew members to attend each race. Active crew members include the crew chief, driver, spotter, plus nine other people actively turning wrenches on the truck. Team owners, public relations representatives, and guests are not included in the numbers.(1-30-2009)
