NASCAR tweaks procedure for wet-weather oval races

NASCAR has adjusted procedures for wet-weather oval races, leaving teams to decide which tires to put on the car.

The updates are:

-       To start the race, all cars and trucks must use the same tire type (slick or wet-weather), which NASCAR will determine.

-       After the green flag, if NASCAR throws the caution for rain and deems the racing surface damp, teams can choose slick or wet-weather tires.

-       If NASCAR deems the pit road damp, pit stops will be non-competitive (positions will not change on pit road; anyone who pits will line up behind those who chose to stay out).

-       Green-flag pit stops will remain competitive.

Under the previous procedure, NASCAR mandated what tires the teams had to use. That removed a strategy variable in wet-weather races as track conditions changed. The most recent example was at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last month, which began and raced the early part of the afternoon in wet weather conditions.

NASCAR's decision to keep pit road non-competitive when it is deemed damp is because of safety concern for pit crews. The concern is cars sliding through pit stalls or having issues on a damp pit road.

“We always listen to fan and industry feedback, and if there’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference that benefits the racing, we won’t waste time acting on it,” NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said on NASCAR.com. “There were a lot of strong opinions after New Hampshire, and Ben Kennedy, John Probst, and the entire Competition team went to work. Giving teams the freedom to make their own calls in wet-weather situations on ovals is another example of how we’re working to improve and put on the best possible show for our fans.”

The change will apply to all three NASCAR national series beginning this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.