NASCAR Cup Series: Rule changes coming in 2020

Several rule changes have been announced for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season following a season that included new rules packages.

One season after the introduction of the new rules packages in the NASCAR Cup Series, which have produced overall improvements in close racing and passing at most tracks, several more rules are slated to change ahead of the 2020 season.

But ahead of the 2020 season, none of the rule changes that are slated to be implemented are nearly as huge as the introduction of the aforementioned rules packages.

Here is what NASCAR senior vice president of innovation and racing development John Probst had to say about the changes ahead of next year according to NASCAR.

"“The 2019 season has produced great racing and we anticipate the level of competition to continue to rise as teams build off this rules package in 2020. Collectively, we continue to work closely as an industry to put on the best racing possible for our fans, while working diligently on the Next Gen car, scheduled to make its debut in 2021.”"

More from NASCAR Cup Series

The idea of these changes in 2020, as Probst stated, is to build off the current rules package and prepare for the introduction of the Generation 7 car ahead of the 2021 season.

These changes pertain to limitations of the adjustments to several procedural regulations, and these changes are intended to contain costs for teams.

First of all, after there was not previously a limit, there will now be an allowable maximum of 12 certified chassis designated as “active” at any given team for each car number. A chassis can only be decertified or retired only after it has been used in three or it sustained damage from a crash that is deemed irreparable. There will now be an allowable maximum of 10 unique chassis designs for each organization.

Secondly, after there was not previously a limit, organizations will now be limited to 150 hours per year of wind tunnel testing. The four wind tunnel facilities of Aerodyn Wind Tunnel in Mooresville, North Carolina, Auto Research Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, Penske Technology Group Wind Tunnel in Mooresville, North Carolina and Windshear Wind Tunnel in Concord, North Carolina are the only locations where such testing can occur.

Manufacturers will not be allowed to conduct wind tunnel tests on the current generation of cars, although as it pertains to wind tunnel testing and development for the Generation 7 car, there is no restriction.

Thirdly, at-track roster limits have been reduced from 12 to 10. This number may include engineers, mechanics, crew/car chief and spotters. Additionally, the number of organizational staff for each organization is now capped at three after organizations with more than two cars were previously allowed to carry a fourth rostered member at the organizational level. Such members may include but are not limited to technical directors and competition managers.

Furthermore, the requirements of running three full long-block seals and 13 short-block seals throughout the season have changed. Each team will now be required to compete in a minimum of eight events using each.

Finally, as the development for the Generation 7 car is ongoing in preparation of its slated introduction ahead of the 2021 season, the extended parts freeze for the Cup Series is set to remain in place through the 2020 season.

Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark

There are still seven races remaining on the 36-race 2019 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, the first of which being this Sunday’s Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. The 36-race 2020 season is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, February 16 with the 62nd annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Home/NASCAR Cup Series