NASCAR:REVIEW

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Among the rule changes and procedures that NASCAR is considering for 2011 is a new system that would change the order of qualifying. Instead of drawing for qualifying order as teams have done in previous seasons, the qualifying order would at least in part be determined by speed in the practice prior to qualifying.

NASCAR President Mike Helton strongly indicated the points system used since 1975 will be scrapped for a simpler scoring method.

NASCAR officials confirmed Friday that drivers will no longer be allowed to chase championship points in more than one of its three major touring series. They will continue to be allowed to compete in the different series, but will be required to specify which series they will race in for driver points. When competing in any series other than the one they select on their license application, drivers will continue to earn prize money, and the team for which they are competing will be awarded any owner points earned as a result of their finishing position.

Steve Wallace, son of former NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace, will make his Sprint Cup debut in the season-opening Daytona 500

The rookie of the year program also is expected to undergo some changes. With no rookie drivers signed up to run full-time in Cup this year, adjustments likely will be made to deal with a rookie like Trevor Bayne, who is signed to drive the Wood Brothers' #21 Ford but only has 17 races scheduled this year.

Helton said starting times for Cup races, which were standardized last year, could see some changes. He said the times might need to be adjusted given the length of the NASCAR season. Last year, races started just after 1 pm, 3 pm. or 7:30 pm depending on the location of the track.


NASCAR appears to be on pace to switch from carburetors to fuel injection, but fuel injection won't be used in points-paying Cup races this year. Cars will run on an ethanol blend fuel and a new fueling system that doesn't require a traditional vent will be used.