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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- As expected, NASCAR announced a new policy on its overtime procedure of green-white-checkered flag re-starts and will make a maximum of three tries to have races end under green. Sprint Cup Series Race Director David Hoots informed teams of the change during the drivers' meeting three hours before the start of Thursday's Gatorade Duel 150 qualifying races for Sunday's Daytona 500.
Under the new procedure -- which includes all three national touring series -- NASCAR will make up to three attempts at a green-white-checkered finish. If there is an accident on the first of the two laps, NASCAR will make another green-white-checkered flag re-start.
If there is an accident after the race leader has taken the white flag signaling the last lap, the race will be called.
NASCAR informally gathered feedback from teams all week about the expected rule change, so the move wasn't a surprise. However, it does create a significant new element to the race.
Immediately after Hoots made the announcement to drivers in the pre-race meeting, four-time champion Jeff Gordon raised his hand and asked what the possibility of extra laps would mean in terms of fuel mileage, a concern others shared.
"It's definitely a cause for concern,'' said Kenny Francis, crew chief on Kasey Kahne's No. 9 Budweiser Ford. "You pit when you can and bite your fingernails and hope it doesn't come down to fuel mileage.''
Owner-driver Robby Gordon was pleased with move, but expects it may play a bigger role in race outcomes.
"It's definitely going to change it up,'' said Gordon who fields the No. 7 Monster Energy Drink Toyota. "It'll change the strategy and you'll really have to gamble.
"I will praise NASCAR for this, though. I think we need to finish under green and we need to do anything we can to make it finish under green. At the end of the day, we need everyone on their feet.''
Added championship team owner Richard Childress, "It's going to be good for the fans, but it will get costly for the owners, I really like what NASCAR is doing for the fans. That's why we're all here, that's why we all have jobs, the fans."
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