The 2023 NASCAR season is nearing an unofficial beginning as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the Busch Light Clash on Sunday, February 5 at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
While the first points-paying race of the season is still almost two weeks away at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR has presented several sweeping changes to the 2023 rulebook as drivers and others in the industry pushed for changes.
Explaining the major changes within NASCAR for the 2023 season and beyond
The first of many notable changes for the 2023 NASCAR season is stage breaks during road courses. The sport has eliminated stage breaks for road courses in the NASCAR Cup Series; however, stage points will still be awarded when the lap number is reached.
This is a change that many have been wanting for numerous seasons. This should help the flow of the race and eliminate the long stretches of yellow-flag conditions in-between each stage moving forward.
Next, NASCAR is banning the move that Ross Chastain completed at Martinsville Speedway when he rode the wall. It might be a controversial decision as it made NASCAR grab headlines but it is the correct call. Any attempt at a “Hail Melon” would result in a time penalty moving forward.
NASCAR has also changed the results of losing a wheel this season. Here are the circumstances and results if a wheel were to fall off…
- On pit road under yellow: Rear end of the field on the restart
- On pit road under green: Pass through penalty
- Beyond pit road: Two-lap penalty and two-race suspension for two crew members
The sport has made a very eye-opening decision by introducing an oval wet weather package that can be used at the Busch Light Clash, Lucas Oil, Martinsville, Milwaukee, New Hampshire, North Wilkesboro, Phoenix, and Richmond.
Another change that was intriguing is the elimination of a rule that mandated a driver to finish in the top 20 (Xfinity/Truck) and top 30 (Cup) of the point standings to be eligible for the playoffs. It makes each event an even truer win-and-in scenario.
NASCAR also announced a major rule change for superspeedway and dirt races. The “Choose Cone,” which allows a driver to pick his or her lane on a restart, will now be in effect for those track configurations.
Finally, NASCAR will expand the restart zone by 50% (25% in each direction) for the first five races of the 2023 season. After the fifth event, the sport will decide how to move going forward.
Related: NASCAR odds – Betting lines for each race and championship futures
Deep evaluation of the major changes for NASCAR this year
NASCAR has made sweeping changes to its rulebook for the 2023 season and most of them are positive for the sport’s future. The first rule change was stage breaks being eliminated at road courses and its benefits have already been covered above.
The banning of Chastain’s video-game-style move at Martinsville Speedway was necessary. It is a safety and ethical racing concern, even though it might have been one of NASCAR’s greatest moments.
If a ban was not put in place, it would have opened the door to similar moves in the future. The possibility of serious injuries for drivers and fans would have been increased. That alone is good a good enough explanation.
The new consequences of losing a wheel are also positive. The addition of in-race penalties across the board is a good idea as it allows the punishments to be balanced. A two-race suspension and in-race penalties beyond pit road make up for the previous four-race ban.
NASCAR’s most intriguing rule change was the oval wet weather package. Obviously, the package won’t be run if it is pouring; however, it opens new doors. The idea of racing in the weather on oval tracks is crazy to think about right now. The first time will be fun and very eye-opening.
As stated above, the idea that any driver within the point standings can make the playoffs is intriguing. It will make superspeedway tracks even more intense because any full-time driver can now be playoff eligible no matter what. The intensity meter will simply be higher all year.
The least popular rule change was the addition of the “Choose Cone” at superspeedways and dirt tracks. This will allow teammates and manufacturers to line up in a row which will undoubtedly make the restarts worse. It is probably the only one that does not make sense.
Finally, the idea of expanding the restart zone was actually from the drivers. They wanted the leader to have a bigger advantage so others could not anticipate the start. It is a good idea and even though it will be evaluated after the fifth event, there will probably be no reason to change it.
NASCAR did a great job on the rulebook adjustments for the 2023 season and it will create a brighter future for the sport. All of the new rules will be very interesting to follow this year and beyond.