NASCAR to Begin Using Double-File Restarts at Pocono

NASCAR has made the decision to change their race format. Starting with this Sunday's Pocono 500, NASCAR will implement a double-file restart. According to NASCAR chairman and C.E.O, Brian France, the change is good for everyone involved.

"We've heard the fans loud and clear: 'double-file restarts—shootout style' are coming to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series," said France on Thursday. "This addition to the race format is good for competition and good for the fans."

Prior to the change, restarts consisted of lead lap cars lining up single-file on the outside line, with lapped cars on the inside line. This created trouble for the leaders because they had to battle each other for position while also having to deal with cars attempting to get back on the lead lap.

With this new format, that will all change.

The new format goes as follows: On a restart, the leader has the option of starting on the inside or the outside line. This follows the same idea from NASCAR's qualifying rule that the pole sitter can start on the inside or outside at the beginning of the race. The second-place driver will start beside the leader.

From third position on back for the lead-lap cars, the drivers in odd-numbered positions (third, fifth, etc.) will line up in the inside line, while drivers in even-numbered positions (fourth, sixth, etc.) will line up in the outside line. The leader of the race will still control the timing of the restarts and still must restart the race in the designated zone at each track.

This format will remain the same no matter how many laps remain in the race. That means the 20-lap rule, where restarts were single-file with lead lap cars to the front (sometimes called a "down-finger" restart), is eliminated.

The first eligible car that is one lap down or more will still receive the "free pass" during the caution, however now that rule will be in effect for the entire race. The old format did not reward a "free pass" during the final 20 laps.

The final change for these restarts is for the lapped cars that elect to remain on the track during the caution will be "waived around" and restart in their respective position behind the pace car.

These changes will be most evident during times when the caution comes out during green-flag pit stops.  Under the old format, cars that have already pitted would start in front of the leader, putting them at the tail-end of the lead lap, and keep the leader mired back in traffic.

Now, cars that have pitted will be waived around and restart in their correct position behind the leaders.

Many drivers say the change is a great move on NASCAR's part.

"I'm excited about it," said two-time champion Tony Stewart. "The good thing is that when they drop the green, you're going to be racing the guys you're racing for position instead of trying to clear lapped cars."

RCR driver Kevin Harvick echoes Stewart's statement, saying "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."

The new changes look to be a good move for everyone involved, but Matt Kenseth says that some weeks drivers may get the "short end of the stick."

"If you're at Martinsville, Indy, or any of these one-lane tracks and you're running fourth, and you're starting in the second row, outside, you're probably going to be in trouble," Kenseth said. "You're probably going to have a top-five run turn into a 10th or 12th place run.

Kenseth's words prove true for the one-lane tracks, but the same can be said for the restrictor plate races. With the new format, there will be more excitement, but the risk of a wreck also increases because of the amount of cars near the front. However, at tracks like Michigan and Atlanta, where there are multiple grooves to use, it will create more excitement and better racing.

Both the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series will implement double-file restarts in the near future.

Much like the drivers, I'm excited about this change. It could possibly need a few tweaks after this first use, but it's a great move on the part of NASCAR. If it's anything like how it worked in the All-Star Race, these next 23 races will definitely be worth watching.