Double File Restarts Coming?

[jhen713]

The drivers are never going to agree to double file restarts because it makes their job tougher. So F 'em. Its going to make for better racing ON THE TRACK. I hope it happens this week.

I don't have a problem with it either way. I think it would make the restarts more interesting and create alot more pit strategy. I just think they should wait untill the season is over to make the change if they decide to do so. I am not a fan of mid season changes.

 

[DownNDirty]

Its official and here's a snippet:

All restarts will use the same format regardless of the number of laps remaining in the race.
The first-place driver will continue to control the timing of restarts in a designated zone on the track. Likewise, cars are to stay in line until they reach the start/finish line. The first eligible car 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 that the “free pass” will remain in effect the entire race [before it was all race until 10 or less laps to go, then none was awarded]. Lapped cars choosing to remain on the track will be “waved around” the caution car and will restart the race in respective track position, thus picking up a lap to the leader provided the leader also pits. This will also remove lapped cars from behind the pace car, allowing the leaders to take the green without interference [so the leader will not restart in the middle of the pack]


What I want to know is this. With the "wave around" for lapped cars that choose not to pit are they going to be allowed to pit after being waved around? Or will they have to stay out on the track after getting to come around? Because if they CAN pit then that renders the Lucky Dog useless because the leaders will be pitting more often than not.

Just would like to see that part of my question addressed because that leaves alot of room for interpretation.

 

[d4ster3]

NASCAR Announces “Double-File Restarts – Shootout Style”: NASCAR 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. “We’ve heard the fans loud and clear: ‘double-file restarts – shootout style’ are coming to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “This addition to the race format is good for competition and good for the fans.”
NASCAR recently used the “double-file” format for its non-points NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, which produced an unpredictable finish. The format will be adapted for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the near future. Under the previous format, cars on the lead lap would restart in a single-file line while cars that had been lapped would start in a line next to them. 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.
The first-place driver will continue to control the timing of restarts in a designated zone on the track. Likewise, cars are to stay in line until they reach the start/finish line. The first eligible car 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 that the “free pass” will remain in effect the entire race [before it was all race until 10 or less laps to go, then none was awarded]. Lapped cars choosing to remain on the track will be “waved around” the caution car and will restart the race in respective track position, thus picking up a lap to the leader provided the leader also pits. This will also remove lapped cars from behind the pace car, allowing the leaders to take the green without interference [so the leader will not restart in the middle of the pack].(NASCAR)(6-4-2009)

 

[jhen713]

It might draw better ratings for a while. Once all the fans get use to it then NASCAR will have to come up with another gimic to boost ratings. Don't get me wrong. I am a fan of double file restarts. It's going to make for some good racing on restarts. I just don't think it will "save" NASCAR. We'll see Sunday.......

 

[Gentleman Jack]

It might draw better ratings for a while. Once all the fans get use to it then NASCAR will have to come up with another gimic to boost ratings. Don't get me wrong. I am a fan of double file restarts. It's going to make for some good racing on restarts. I just don't think it will "save" NASCAR. We'll see Sunday.......

yeah, it definitely won't "save" NASCAR but it will improve the quality of the race itself.

 

[jhen713]

There was nothing spectacular about the restarts but it did create more side by side racing for position on the first few laps after a restart. I think it will come more into play on the smaller tracks.

 

[DownNDirty]

You can polish a turd (Pocono) but in the end its still a turd. Michigan this week won't be much better. The interesting double file restarts will come at the 1.5 mile and smaller tracks.