NASCAR changes overtime system
In an effort to pump more excitement into races, NASCAR has vowed to let drivers be more aggressive on the track this season without being penalized.
But it might have saved its best move for last.
The series announced Thursday that it is extending the maximum number of two-lap overtimes from one to three in each of its national series.
The "green-white-checker" flags format was created to prevent races from finishing slowly under caution.
"We want to do all we can to finish our races under green flag conditions -- the fans want to see that, and so do the competitors," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition.
If the race leader has taken the last-lap white flag and the caution flag is displayed, the field will be frozen and the race will not be restarted.
The change was announced at a drivers' meeting before Sprint Cup qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway.
• NASCAR -- Kyle Busch Motorsports teammates Tayler Malsam and Kyle Busch qualified sixth and 16th for today's Camping World Truck race in Daytona Beach, Fla.
It is the first event for Busch's two-truck team.
"That's pretty disappointing," Busch said of his run. "I'm sorry to be as happy as I was beforehand going into it knowing how good Tayler ran.
"We expected (my truck) to be just as good if not better. We missed something."
• DRAG RACING -- Cory McClenathan was the quickest Top Fuel qualifier at the Winternationals as the NHRA Full Throttle Series opened its season Thursday in Pomona, Calif.
Robert Hight leads Funny Car, and Mike Edwards is first in Pro Stock.
Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.
