NASCAR officials explain rule changes ahead of Daytona 500

On Thursday, NASCAR competition officials held their version of "Meet the Press" at the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, N.C. The atmosphere was cordial and conducive to discussion. Some of the more important explanations included the claim that the new Chase points system was more than three years in the making. Bonus points after Richmond count only in the first round of the Chase. Thereafter, pre-Chase bonus points will not be counted after each of the final resets. Awarding more points to winners was considered and discarded because it might create a runaway situation. In other words, NASCAR didn't want the Sprint Cup title to be clinched at any point before the series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

As for the new qualifying rules, announced before last week's media tour, we learned that, at first, many crew chiefs were against permission to make any changes to the cars in between sessions. But, after careful consideration, they lobbied for certain concessions, like changing tape (changing downforce), wedge alterations (for handling) and other minor changes. Flat tires in qualifying? NASCAR officials said one scuff (or scuffed-in) tire, not a matched set.

Also, though the qualifying schedule runs less than one hour when you add up the length of the knockout sessions, if all things go smoothly in the three-segment shootout, the television window will more likely go 90 minutes to account for breaks. One journalist asked about explaining to fans what happens in the case that the fastest lap is set in segment one — perhaps even a track record — but someone else gets the pole? NASCAR said it's the media's job to explain that.

As for the penalty system — now known as the deterrent system — the graphics published last week are a guide, but not a final, final answer. NASCAR always reserves the right to invoke its "EIRI" rule, also known as "except in rare instances."

Speaking of rules, at some point this year the rules will go electronic, meaning all teams will have instant access to technical updates. AutoWeek