2020 Rules: Xfinity Series Field Size Shrinking, Less Starts for Cup Series Drivers and More

On Wednesday, August 21, 2019, NASCAR announced several updates for the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Gander Outdoors Trucks Series seasons. Additionally, the 2020 Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash and Gander Trucks Triple Truck Challenge dates and tracks were unveiled.

 

Quote attributable to Meghan Miley, NASCAR Senior Director of Racing Operations:

“These updates to the Xfinity Series and Gander Trucks procedures continue our commitment to strengthening our race teams and providing a stronger field with even greater competition for our fans.

 

“We’re excited about the return of the Dash 4 Cash in the Xfinity Series and the Triple Truck Challenge with the Gander Trucks. These programs provide our teams with an incredible performance-based bonus opportunity each season. By removing the entry deadline requirement for the Triple Truck Challenge, we ensure our teams and fans know immediately if a driver is eligible to race for additional bonuses.”

 

• NASCAR Xfinity Series Field Size

o   Beginning in 2020, the maximum starting field for the NASCAR Xfinity Series will be 36 cars.

o   The field will be set as follows:

• 31 starting positions based on qualifying time
• 4 provisional positions based on rulebook
• 1 past champion provisional.

 

• NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Participation Guidelines

o   Regular Season

• Drivers with more than three (3) years of full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series experience are allowed a maximum of five (5) starts

o   Dash 4 Cash / Final regular season race and Playoffs

• Drivers electing to accumulate Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points are ineligible

 

• NASCAR Gander Outdoors Series Driver Participation Guidelines

o   Regular Season

• Drivers with more than three (3) years of full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series experience are allowed a maximum of 5 starts

o   Triple Truck Challenge / Final regular season race and Playoffs

• Drivers electing to accumulate Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points are ineligible
• Drivers electing to accumulate Xfinity Series points are ineligible to compete in the Triple Truck Challenge races and the Championship race

2020 Races

o   Homestead-Miami Speedway (Qualifier – March 21)

o   Texas Motor Speedway (March 28)

o   Bristol Motor Speedway (April 4)

o   Talladega Superspeedway (April 25)

o   Dover International Speedway (May 2)

Eligibility

o   Retained the entry deadline requirement for eligibility.

2020 Races

• Richmond Raceway (April 18)
• Dover International Speedway (May 1)
• Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 15)

 

Eligibility

• Removed post entry driver and owner caveat.