NASCAR Updates Language for Wet Weather Procedures on Ovals
NASCAR will allow teams to manage their wet weather tire allotment by making tire changes optional under natural cautions and giving the option to stay on the track to gain positions. Teams will still not control the change between wets and slicks.
NASCAR has updated the language of the Rule Book, regarding general procedures for wet weather tire usage in oval races, beginning with this weekend’s Cup and Truck Series events at Richmond Raceway.
These changes will allow teams to be in control of strategy decisions once a natural yellow flag is displayed under wet weather conditions. NASCAR previously had complete control over any tire changes being made while under wet weather conditions.
Under these new procedures, teams will have complete control of their strategy calls when a natural caution is displayed while the race is still in wet weather conditions.
Should any team decide to come down pit road, they would only be able to change their wet weather tires out for another set of wet weather tires. These updated procedures do not allow teams to take off wet weather tires in favor of slicks.
Now, teams will be permitted to manage how they utilize the four sets of wet weather tires they are allotted for the event.
With the option to pit for fresh wet weather tires, also comes the opportunity for drivers to stay on the racetrack, which now, under these brand-new procedures, will allow them to gain track position, passing those who choose to pit.
These new procedures will be in place for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events at Richmond if needed and for all of NASCAR’s National Series on tracks where wet weather tires are permitted, moving forward.
Since last season, when NASCAR debuted the rule allowing wet weather tires to be used on select ovals, the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series have all utilized the tires.
At New Hampshire Motor Speedway, both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Cup Series used the wet weather tires. While the Xfinity Series started the race on the tires, NASCAR Cup Series drivers were the first to require wet weather tires in the middle of an event, running the final 90 laps in wet weather conditions.
Photo: Matthew T. Thacker, LAT Images for Toyota Racing
