Bass Pro Shops has signed on as sponsor of Martin Truex Jr. and the Furniture Row No. 78 Toyota for 2016. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Charlotte, N. C. – NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France kicked-off the 34th annual Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour by announcing that a playoff system will be implemented in 2016 for both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
The playoff system will be somewhat similar to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format, except each will encompass seven races and two elimination rounds with each champion decided in the season-finale at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The Xfinity Chase will begin at the Kentucky Speedway on Sept. 24 followed by races at Dover and Charlotte and will feature 12 drivers. A win in the first 26 races all but guarantees a driver a slot in the Chase as does a driver that wins two Dash 4 Cash bonuses.
Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch shown talking with the news media during the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour. [Joe Jennings Photo]
For the NCWS, the Chase starts at New Hampshire on Sept. 24 followed by events at Las Vegas and Talladega. It will feature eight drivers and a win in the first 16 races all but guarantees a spot in the Chase. The first round will be called the Round of 8 followed by a Round of 6 with the final round dubbed the Championship 4.
For each series, a win in any round advances the driver to the next round.
During a Q&A session, France indicated that the long-discussed Charter system or owners’ alliance continues to be discussed. Since the topic is so complicated, it may be a while before a conclusion can be.
The NASCAR executive indicated he couldn’t have been more pleased with the performance of the Sprint Cup Series and the Chase in 2015 and no changes were foreseen for 2016. Also, no news on a replacement title sponsor was available.
The digital dash concept will be rolled out for the new season.
NASCAR executive vice president and chief development officer Steve O’Donnell advised that for each event in the Xfinity’s Dash 4 Cash program will be comprised of two heats and a main event. Odd-numbered qualifiers will run in one heat and even-numbered will run in heat two. Results of the heats will set the line-up for the feature race. Tracks involved will be Bristol, Richmond, Dover and Indianapolis.
Joe Gibbs greets reporters at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour. [Joe Jennings Photo]
For the truck series, a Caution Clock will be featured at the start of each green flag run. When the green flag is displayed, 20 minutes will be placed on the clock. If/when the clock expires, a caution will be thrown.
Said O’Donnell, “These innovations contain the elements of racing that our fans want the most. The elements put a premium on race strategy and will create an unprecedented level of excitement as teams make tactical decisions that could impact their spot in the Chase.”
Lesa France Kennedy advised that with Daytona’s makeover nearly complete that tracks next on their list for renovation will be Richmond and Phoenix.
Six new drivers were introduced for the 2016 Drive for Diversity program. They are Collin Cabra, Rubin Garcia, Ali Kern, Jairo Avila, Enrique Baca and Juan Garcia.
Day one was devoted to Toyota teams, day two will feature the Ford contingent and the final day will have the Chevrolet teams in the spotlight.
In sponsorship news, Furniture Row Racing unveiled Bass Pro Shops as primary co-sponsor of its Toyota Camry No. 78 to be driven by Martin Truex Jr. The partnership calls for nine primary Bass Pro Shops paint schemes, starting with Daytona.
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