Breaking News: NASCAR Line Em' Up Double File

Looks like NASCAR is listening to the fans and drivers after the town hall meeting last Tuesday.

Starting Sunday at Pocono lead lap cars will line up double file on restarts, with lap down cars racing behind them.

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said “We’ve heard the fans loud and clear: ‘double-file restarts – shootout style’ are coming to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. This addition to the race format is good for competition and good for the fans.”

The fans have been calling for this since that All-Star race in May where the format was double file and we saw the best racing all year.

Drivers have been calling for this change for a long time complaining that with the new car so dependent on clean air.

The leader if able to get around the first car one lap down is able to pull away while his closest competitors struggle with lap down traffic battling for the lucky dog.

Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart praised NASCAR for the change “The good thing is that when they drop the green, you’re going to be racing with the guys you’re racing for position instead of trying to clear lapped cars.

“Since NASCAR has adapted the ‘free pass’, I think that’s something that now justifies being able to put those lapped cars to the back and let them race with each other, and let the guys who are racing on the lead lap do the same. I’m behind NASCAR 100% on this.”

With the new format the leader would have the option of starting either on the outside or the inside line. All odd positions third on back would start on the inside line, while all even positions fourth on back would start on the outside.

With this change NASCAR is hoping this will amp up the excitement on track especially when there is less than 20 to go in the race.

Another change will be the "free pass" will be used throughout the race. Currently the "free pass" is only in effect up until 10 laps to go. With the new format  you can be the "free pass" with less than 10 to go.

Richard Childress Racing driver Kevin Harvick said “I think it’s great that NASCAR is listening to the fans. These new restart procedures are going to make our sport even more exciting than it already is.This will not only benefit the lead lap cars, but also the cars that go a lap down, so you get the best of both worlds.”

With slumping attendance from the economy and television viewership dropping double digits for the first 13 races, NASCAR is hoping this change will not only make the drivers and fans happy but will help the quality of racing throughout the race.

There is still a lot of work to be done, but NASCAR is keeping their word on trying to find new ways to improve the racing both for the fans at home and the fans in the stands.

Quotes: nascarmedia