NASCAR has announced that, beginning in 2017, limitations will be placed on Sprint Cup Series drivers looking to participate in Xfinity or Camping World Truck Series events.
On Wednesday morning, NASCAR officials announced that Cup Series drivers with more than five years of full-time experience can participate in a maximum of 10 Xfinity Series races and seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races per year.
The new rule will also those drivers ineligible to participate in the entirety of the Chase in either of those two series.
In addition, drivers who have more than five years of full-time experience will not be eligible to participate in the Dash 4 Cash Xfinity Series races.
Sprint Cup Series drivers who earn points in the Cup Series in 2017 will also not be eligible to race in the season finale for the Xfinity or Camping World Truck Series at Homestead.
Drivers with more than five years full-time experience can still compete for the Xfinity or Camping World Truck Series titles, if they have declared that they will run for championship points in the respective series.
“The updated guidelines will elevate the stature of our future stars, while also providing them the opportunity to compete against the best in professional motorsports,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “These updated guidelines are the result of a collaborative effort involving the entire industry, and will ultimately better showcase the emerging stars of NASCAR.”
Prior to 2016, NASCAR announced that members of the 2015 Chase would be ineligible to compete in the Xfinity or Camping World Truck Series season finale. In 2011, the sanctioning body began requiring drivers to choose one of the three series in which to obtain point during the season.
